Archeological Excavations at the mathies mine site
Introduction
This site was 1st recorded in 1951 by J. R. Simpson.
- At that time, a site number was assigned to a “mound cluster” of at least three (and perhaps up to seven) prehistoric burial mounds located at an elevation of 900 ft above sea level along a bench-like hilltop overlooking the Monongahela River and the mouth of Mingo Creek in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Multple mound sites
- According to Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the site was known for over a century by a variety of names including the “Mathies Mine Mounds”, the “Mathias Mounds”, and the “Riverview Mound"
A second mound was noted 200 ft east of main mound, but was not investigated
- Other mounds on the site had either been covered in mine debris or destroyed. They were no longer visible in 1962.
The site was destroyed by bulldozers in the 1970s or 80s,
The Mathies Mine Mound is not to be confused with the Mathies Mine Village site.
- A multi-component site located about 100 feet northwest of the mound which included a Late Prehistoric Monongahela village. Both sites were located on property related to the Mathies coal mine owned by the Consolidated Coal Company.
The Mathies Mine Mound is also not to be confused with the Courtney Mound located on a hilltop one mile northwest of the Mathies Mine Mound. The Courtney Mound is presumed to be destroyed and was never scientifically excavated. . The crall mounds in monongahela is another nearby site that was also destroyed
what was found
Focusing on excavations conducted in 1962 and 1963. The site is identified as a multi-component burial mound
- Key discoveries . include a major tomb containing two burials and the fragmented remains of at least three more individuals including a tooth worn to the gum line and quantities of calcified bone assumed to be of human origin)
A rare stone tubular pipe that tested positive for nicotine residue, confirming early tobacco use. Archaeological analysis also revealed a secondary stone cap construction and an unusual crematory basin featuring a central post mold.
Black Chert projectile points / knives
Copper Awl and copper foil bead
Two stone celts ,pottery sherds, decayed mussel shells, , a large mammal bone fashioned into gouge, described as a “bone spatula”, decayed mussel shell , a small duck leg bone, a small worked deer bone were also recovered
Sacrifical burial site
The Prehistoric Copper Awl
- The most significant copper find is a unique copper awl, described as "one of the most interesting prehistoric copper artifacts ever discovered in southwestern Pennsylvania .
the CREAMATORY
The crematory basin
An "unusual" archaeological feature approximately four feet north of the major tomb
The basin was roughly 3 feet in diameter.
It was first detected as an ash/clay concentration
30 inches belowground .
It contained large quantities of pure white ash and small amounts of calcified bone (assumed to be human). A human tooth
The crematory basin
An "unusual" archaeological feature approximately four feet north of the major tomb
The basin was roughly 3 feet in diameter.
It was first detected as an ash/clay concentration
30 inches belowground .
It contained large quantities of pure white ash and small amounts of calcified bone (assumed to be human). A human tooth crown
A tiny drill at the bottom of the central post mold.
The Unusual Central Post Mold
The most distinctive feature of the basin was a central post mold measuring 6 inches in diameter and 10 inches deep. Two smaller 4-inch post molds were also found nearby.
Because of the central post, archaeologists speculated that individuals might have been secured to a post and burned at the stake
Size of the Mounds
Size of the Mounds
The primary measurements for the mounds at Mathies Mine
- The main mound was described as an oblong earthen structure with the following dimensions:
- North to South: Approximately 40 ft
- East to West: Approximately 50 ft
- Height: It rose roughly 4 ft above the surrounding ground surface.
Internal Feature SpecificationsExcavations revealed severa
The primary measurements for the mounds at Mathies Mine
- The main mound was described as an oblong earthen structure with the following dimensions:
- North to South: Approximately 40 ft
- East to West: Approximately 50 ft
- Height: It rose roughly 4 ft above the surrounding ground surface.
Internal Feature SpecificationsExcavations revealed several significant prehistoric features within the main mound:
The Major Tomb: This central feature was approximately 9 ft long, 4 ft wide, and 3 ft depth