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diff --git a/14590-h/14590-h.htm b/14590-h/14590-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c8743c --- /dev/null +++ b/14590-h/14590-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,404 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A New Hochelagan Burying-ground Discovered at Westmount on the Western Spur of Mount Royal, Montreal, July-September, 1898, by W. D. Lighthall</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h6 {text-align: center;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + a:link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:#0000ff; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:#ff0000} + pre {font-size: 8pt;} + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14590 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, A New Hochelagan Burying-ground Discovered at +Westmount on the Western Spur of Mount Royal, Montreal, July-September, +1898, by W. D. Lighthall</h1> + <p> </p> + <p> </p> +<table border="0" width="100%"><tr><td align="center"> +<table border="0" bgcolor="ccccff" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Our Roots/Nos Racines.<br /> + See <a href="http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.asp?id=1977"> + http://www.ourroots.ca/e/toc.asp?id=1977</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table></td></tr></table> + +<p> </p> + + <hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + <h3>A NEW</h3> + + <h1>Hochelagan Burying-Ground</h1> + + <h4>discovered at</h4> + + <h2>Westmount</h2> + + <h3>On the Western Spur of Mount Royal, Montreal, + July-September 1898</h3> + +<p> </p> + <h4>NOTES BY</h4> + + <h3>W.D. Lighthall, M.A., F.R.S.L.</h3> + +<p> </p> + <h6>Privately printed for the writer by<br /> + Alphonse Pelletier<br /> + Printer to the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal + </h6> + + <p> </p> + <h4>1898</h4> + <p> </p> + + <hr class="short" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page1" + id="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span> + + <h2>A NEW HOCHELAGAN BURYING-GROUND</h2> + + <h4>BY W.D. LIGHTHALL</h4> + + <p>The above title is provisional as respects the term + "Hochelagan." All those who are interested in the Indians of + old Hochelaga, or in the Mohawks with whom they seem to have + had a close and not yet fully ascertained race relationship, + will be pleased to learn of the discovery of a prehistoric + burying-ground which is probably one of their race, the only + one heretofore known having been on the borders of their town + itself, about upper Metcalfe street, Montreal. The new one is + on the upper level (not the top) of Westmount, which is the + south-western prolongation of Mount Royal, and the four or five + graves thus far found are scattered at considerable intervals + over an <span class="pagenum"><a name="page2" + id="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> an area of about 600 by 300 + yards, nearly bounded by Argyle, Montrose and Aberdeen + Avenues and the Boulevard, three of the graves being a + little outside of these limits. A number of years ago a + skeleton was discovered, near the surface, on the cutting of + Argyle Avenue on about a westerly line from the residence of + Mr. Earle. As the remains were rumored to be possibly + Indian, Mr. Earle secured the skull, which had been used as + a football by boys, some of the teeth, which had originally + been complete in number, being thus lost. This head is + identical in form with those last found. Roots of grass + interlaced in it show the lightness of the covering. On + another occasion many years ago, a skeleton was found, also + lightly buried, and with the knees drawn up, just east of + the residence of Mr. John Macfarlane on Montrose Avenue, + during the digging of a flower-bed. It was over six feet + long. After being exposed for a few days it was re-interred + in the same spot by order of Mr. Macfarlane, and could + doubtless be obtained for examination if desirable. At a + later period, the gardener, Mr. Latter, who had found the + Macfarlane skeleton, dug up and re-interred another just + within the bounds of his own property adjoining the head of + Aberdeen Avenue opposite the St. George's Snowshoe + Club-house. On the 22nd of July last (1898) a gardener + excavating in the St. George's Club-house grounds found + three skeletons interred at a depth of from two to two and a + half feet and with knees drawn up. A report of the find was + made to the Chief of Police of Westmount and to Mr. J. + Stevenson Brown, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" + id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span> Mr. A.S. Wheeler, respectively + President and Vice-President of the St. George's Club, the + former being also an ex Vice-President of the Natural + History Society. They examined the spot and remains, Mr. + Brown concluding them to be probably Indian from the + prominent cheek bones and large mouths. Having just been + paying some attention to the archaeology of the Iroquois, + which had been taken me on a flying trip to their former + country in the State of New-York, I, on seeing in a + newspaper at the seaside, a short item concerning the + skeletons, was immediately interested, and especially in the + possibility of their being Hochelagans, and having + particularly commenced some inquiries into the relations + between the latter Indians and the Mohawks, I wrote, as + Chairman of Health of Westmount, asking Chief Harrison to + note the manner and attitude of burial and any objects + found, and to enquire concerning previous excavations in the + neighborhood and save the remains for scientific purposes. + (They had been sent by him to the City Morgue.) The above + information concerning the previous skeletons was then + collected and I found that the witnesses concurred in + agreeing that the attitude seems to have been in all cases + with knees bent up. No objects seem to have been noticed in + any of the excavations then made, though some may have been + overlooked by the workmen, particularly as the soil of the + locality is full of pieces of limestone and small boulders, + closely resembling arrow heads, hammers and celts. Several + bones which are not human have however been since found with + these three skeletons, one possibly of a dog, another of a + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" + id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> squirrel. They may be those of + the funeral feast Sir William Dawson mentions in his work + "Fossil Men," as usually to be looked for over the + Hochelagan graves.</p> + + <p>Mr. Beauchamp, the New-York authority, writes concerning the + Mohawks; "Burial customs varied greatly among the same people, + but usually the knees are drawn up. The face might be turned + either way in contiguous graves. I have seen many opened with + no articles in them." By the kindness of Dr. Wyatt Johnston, + Pathologist to the Provincial Board of Health, the three + skeletons have been preserved and are now in the Chateau de + Ramezay Historical Museum where they will doubtless be regarded + with interest by scholars. The skulls have been fully + identified as of the Indian type, and found to be those of two + powerful males in the prime of life and one young woman. The + skull in possession of Mr. Earl is doubtless of the same race. + Some large stones were found placed above the bodies, and also + a number of naturally flat stones which appear to have been + used as scoops to excavate. The plateau where the remains were + found is about half way up the side of the "Mountain" or hill, + as it more properly is, the total height being only about 700 + feet. The plateau slopes somewhat and looks towards the + south-east, and being protected by the hill behind it from + prevailing winds, and having a good light soil, constitutes a + very favorable situation for the growth of the Indian crops of + corn and beans. The Mountain being an isolated rise in the + great plain of the St. Lawrence, the plateau was also most + favorably <span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" + id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span> placed for look-out and + defence. A hundred yards or so to the west is a fine + perennial spring, and a short distance further is another + which has always been known as "the old Indian Well," having + been a resort of Indians at a later period. Only a few spots + on the plateau have so far been excavated; but with + approaching improvements I have no doubt that other graves + will soon be found. The ground to the west, in the + neighborhood of the two perennial springs, has in + particular, never been much disturbed. If therefore, as on + the site of the old Hochelaga, this burying-ground is on the + out skirts of a town site, relics of a much more interesting + character may be looked for in the undisturbed neighborhood + just referred to, the Raynes and Murray farms, and those on, + the southern slope of the Mountain.</p> + + <p>Should a town-site be fortunately discovered I have no doubt + that progressive Westmount will see to proper care being taken + in the matter. Such a town would likely be older than Hochelaga + and thus afford a fresh step in tracing the record of this + mysterious people. Such towns were frequently moved, when the + soil or supply of wood gave out, or disease or enemies made + removal imperative. As to the remains already unearthed being + prehistoric, there can be no doubt. The Island was deserted + after the destruction of Hochelaga by the Hurons about 1560. + The next Indian inhabitants were Catholic converts and + therefore were buried at full length in a consecrated Christian + ground. The village of the converts was at the Old Towers of + the Fort des Messieurs, some quarter of a mile eastward of the + plateau referred to.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" + id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> + + <p>In tracing back the history of the land in which these + discoveries have been made, we learn from the <i>terrier</i> or + land book of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, that it was conceded + about 1708, and that it has ever since remained in private + hands. Had the site been known as a burial place, even years + previous to that date, it is altogether unlikely that such a + concession would have been made; especially as there was + abundance of unoccupied land in the vicinity. The faint doubt + which arose as to whether the interments were made subsequently + to the founding of Montreal, is therefore eliminated. The + authorities of the Seminary, who conceded the land, state not + only that they have no record of a burying-ground there, but + agree with me that the space covered is too large, to be + consecrated ground, as it would be in Christian times, and they + also state that the burials of the mission of the Mountain + where the Montreal Indian converts lived, were made chiefly at + the cemeteries of Montreal and were very few. These Indians had + originally been assembled around Ville Marie but were removed + to the Fort des Messieurs where Montreal College stands in + 1662, and thence, towards the beginning of the 18th century, to + Sault-au-Recollet and in 1717 to Oka. The method of burial, + also, is not Christian, but pagan, and similar in every respect + to early Mohawk burials.</p> + + <p>On Saturday the 10th September, 1898, I went with two + laborers granted by the Town of Westmount to the excavation on + the club house grounds, and choosing a spot on its edge cut a + short trench some two feet deep. About ten feet southward of + the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page7" + id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span> three skeletons previously + found, this trench revealed two large stones placed in the + form of a reversed V, clearly in order, as it afterwards + appeared, to partly cover a body. On raising these, a + skeleton was found of a tall young man laid on the hard-pan, + on his right side, with face down, head towards the west, + knees drawn up, and covered with the mealy dry whitish earth + of the locality, to a depth of about two and a half feet. + Mr. Earl assisted in carefully uncovering the remains, of + which Mr. Charles J. Brown then took two excellent + protographs in situ. The form of skull was similar to the + others, the teeth fine and perfect except a grinder which + had been lost years before. One armbone showed that it had + once been broken and healed again. No objects were found, + though the search was very careful. On the 17th, the + excavations were continued in the hope of finding objects of + value to science. On this occasion there was present, + besides the writer Mr. Earl, Mr. C.J. Brown, Mr. Wheeler and + others and Mr. R.W. McLachlan, one of the excavators of old + Hochelaga. About four or five feet north of the grave + last-mentioned, large stones were again struck and on being + lifted, the skeleton of a young girl was unearthed whose + wisdom teeth had just begun to appear in the jaw. The large + bone of her upper left arm had at one time been broken near + the shoulder. Her slender skeleton was in the same crouching + position as the others but much more closely bunched + together; the top of the head was laid towards the north and + looking partly downwards. Above her were found several flat + stones which may have been + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" + id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> used as scoops for the + excavation. Under her neck was discovered the first + manufactured object found, a single rude bead of white + wampum of the prehistoric form, and which is now deposited + in the Chateau de Ramezay. As white wampum was the gift of a + lover, this sole ornament tells the pathetic story of early + love and death. Mr. Chas. J. Brown again protographed the + remains in situ. The work will still proceed and no doubt + more important discoveries are yet to be made.</p> + + <p>Montreal, September 20th, 1898.</p> + + <h3>REPORT OF Dr. HIBBERT ON THE WESTMOUNT SKELETONS</h3> + + <h4>No. I.—<i>A Young Woman</i></h4> + + <p>The bones of this skeleton, are fragile, broken and + considerably decayed.</p> + + <p>The skull is in fair condition, though the lower jaw is + broken in half.</p> + + <p>The skull is round and arched above the breadth index being + 77.7, of brachycephalic or Mongoloid type. <i>The + superciliary</i> ridges are not very prominent, but the + frontal, parietal and occipital eminences are very distinct. + <i>The forehead</i> is non receding and the breath measures 9 + c.m. The cheekbones are not unduly prominent, the official + measurement being 119 m.m. The gnathic index is 93, or + orthognathous. The teeth are well preserved and not much worn, + the 3d. molars not having erupted in either jaw. The face is + short and broad, the height being 108 m.m. in and breadth 119 + m.m., the orbit is inclined to be square with rounded angles + and the type megaseme, the nasal index is + mesorhine.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" + id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> + + <p>A very striking feature of this skull is the well marked + central vertical frontal ridge and some tendency to angularity + of the vertex. In the whole this skull is of a more refined + type than the others and suggestive of some fair intellectual + development of the individual. There are two wormian bones on + the left side of the skull, one at the pterion and one below + the asterion each being 9 m.m. long.</p> + + <p>The bones generally are fragile and the long bones slender, + with no marked impression for muscular attachment. A curious + fact is that the ends of all the long bones are absent, + presumably from decay, and as these ends are united to the + shafts between the age of puberty (14-15) and adult life it is + suggestive that the individual may have been of about the age + of 18 or 20 and this is somewhat confirmed by the noneruption + of the third molars.</p> + + <p>With this skeleton are two animal bones. White and very + dense in structure. They are both femura, one probably that of + an ungulate; the other of a carnivore.</p> + + <h4>No. II.—<i>A Brachycephalic Man</i></h4> + + <p>This skeleton is that of a large and powerfully built man, + the bones being very heavy and strong with marked impressions + and prominences for muscular attachment. The skeleton, with the + exception of some of the small bones of the hands and feet is + complete.</p> + + <p>The skull is large and massive, and the lower jaw very + strong and heavy. The teeth are well preserved but much ground + down at the crown. The <span class="pagenum"><a name="page10" + id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> superciliary ridges are very + prominent. The fore head is narrow (102 c.m.) receding.</p> + + <p>Judging from the size and strength of the bones and their + impressions for muscular attachment, this man must have been + very powerful and calculating from the length of the femur, at + least six feet tall. With this skeleton we found a small + humerus of some mammal possibly a squirrel.</p> + + <h4>No. III.—<i>The Tallest Man</i></h4> + + <p>This skeleton is also that of a large powerfully built man, + even taller man the last. The skull is larger, though not quite + so massive. It is longer and narrower and dolicephalus, the + occipital region very prominent. The height index is low + (70.5).</p> + + <p>The face is broad as compared with the length 124-112 and + the cheek bones are prominent, lower jaw is heavy and + strong.</p> + + <p>The bones of this skeleton are well preserved and it is + almost entire, there being only a few of the bones of the hands + and feet missing. The pelvis is masculine. The bones are long, + large and heavy with marked impressions and processes.</p> + + <p>The femur measures 17-7/8 inches so that this man must have + been six feet or more and of muscular frame.</p> + + <p>Among the bones of No III skeleton were 2 small rib bones of + a bird.</p> + + <p>Judging from the general conformation of the three skulls, + it would appear that No. I, was that of the most intelligent + person of the three and No. III of the least No. II being + intermediate.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" + id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> + + <p>It is difficult to estimate the height of No. I as the femur + is so decayed at both ends, but allowing for this, the height + would not be more than 5 feet and probably less than that. The + skeletons undoubtedly belong to the Mongoloid type and are + distinctive of the North American Indians.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14590 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |