In the middle--or toward one end--of a large, rather low chamber,
flagged and cased with stone masonry, lies the chieftain's skeleton,
with golden armlets and necklet, possibly a golden band encircling the
skull, and some choice weapons by his side, within reach of the hand.
Not infrequently tatters of some tissue show where the mantle was folded
around the form; but that falls to dust at the lightest touch, and,
indeed, at a longer contact with air, as do sometimes the bones
themselves. A smaller skeleton--a woman's--likewise adorned, shares the
honors of the gloomy abode. It is the wife, or perchance the favorite
wife, polygamy (the custom of having many wives) having long been
universal. In a circle around the two principal figures, but at a
respectful distance, indicating their subordinate station, are disposed
other skeletons, unclothed and unadorned, evidently slaves, probably
favorite attendants. Not infrequently a horse is found in a corner--the
chief's own charger; and even sometimes a dog at the master's feet.
Every skull, of man, woman, or animal, shows the heavy single blow which
severed life. Not without due state and seemly retinue shall the hero
enter on the new life which awaits him; his own best-loved companion
shall minister to him; his own tried servants shall follow him as of
yore; the steed which bore him safely out of many a battle, the hound
which shared with him the joys of many a glorious chase, shall bear him
into the fray with new and unknown foes, shall hunt down with him the
game that roams the forests of the Unknown Land. As the way thither may
be very long, the travellers shall not go unprovided. So around the wall
are ranged dishes, platters, bowls--each containing dried-up food,
various kinds of grains; also jars and tall vessels with handles, which
evidently had held liquids. It is easy to see that the choicest pieces
of fine and artistically ornamented pottery have been selected from the
household stores. In mounds of the later periods some of the dishes and
bowls are of bronze, even of gold and silver, and show considerable