woodland period moundbuilders of the bluegrass - Kentucky ...

Adena people made several kinds of stone gorgets, a typeof ornament worn at the throat.FORMS OF BURIALAdena burial practices were complex, diverse, and varied. Theywere very different from those of their ancestors. Those earlier peoplesburied their dead in a flexed (or fetal) position in simple pits dug into theground.Archaeologists do not know how Adena peoples buried individualsnot covered by or placed within a mound. This means we do not knowhow they treated most infants, children, and adults. They may havecremated them, then scattered their ashes on the ground or on the surfaceof the water. They could have stood on a ridgetop and let the wind takethe ashes. On the other hand, they may have laid the bodies on scaffolds,hung them from trees, or buried them in very shallow graves. We simplydo not know, because no one has found the remains of these people.This cut-away view shows an elaborate Adena log tomb or crypt, completewith temporary shelter. It measures 17 by 15 feet and is 5 feet deep. Thedead man’s relatives had completely covered his body with bark strips. Thispicture shows the beginning stage of this process, so the bark strips coveronly his feet. His body is partially wrapped in a boldly stiped woven blanket.He is wearing tall, knee-high leather boots and leather pants. His long hairis tied back with cord. On his left wrist, he wears a copper bracelet. Unseenfrom this viewpoint, but placed near his right shoulder, is a tubular smokingpipe. He may have been a shaman to his people.32