Ancient Red Haired 14-Year-Old Boy Uncovered in a Kentucky Cave
Explorations of the Aboriginal Remains of Tennessee:
“A human body was found, in the year 1815, in one of the limestone caverns of Kentucky. The skin, bones, and other firm parts were in a state of entire preservation. The outer envelope of the body was a deerskin dressed in the usual way, and, perhaps, subsequently softened by rubbing before being used. The next covering was a deerskin, the hair of which had been cut away by a sharp instrument. The remnant of the hair and the gashes in the skin nearly resembled the sheared felt of beaver. The next wrapping was of cloth, made of urine doubled and twisted. The innermost wrapping was a mantle of cloth like the preceding but finished with large brown feathers arranged and fastened with great skill, so as to be capable of guarding the living wearer against wet and cold. The plumage was distinct and entire, and the whole bore a near similitude to the feathered cloaks now worn by the natives of the northwest coast of America. The body was in a squatting posture, with the right arm bent forward, and its hand encircling the right leg. The left-arm hung down, with its hand extending partly under the body. The individual, who was a male, did not probably exceed the age of fourteen at his death. There was a deep and extensive fracture of the skull near the occiput, which was probably the cause of his death. The skin had sustained little injury. It was of dusky color, but the natural hue could not be decided with exactness from its appearance at that time. The scalp, with small exceptions, was covered with sorrel and foxy hair. The teeth were white and sound. The hands and feet seem to have been slender and delicate.
“A human body was found, in the year 1815, in one of the limestone caverns of Kentucky. The skin, bones, and other firm parts were in a state of entire preservation. The outer envelope of the body was a deerskin dressed in the usual way, and, perhaps, subsequently softened by rubbing before being used. The next covering was a deerskin, the hair of which had been cut away by a sharp instrument. The remnant of the hair and the gashes in the skin nearly resembled the sheared felt of beaver. The next wrapping was of cloth, made of urine doubled and twisted. The innermost wrapping was a mantle of cloth like the preceding but finished with large brown feathers arranged and fastened with great skill, so as to be capable of guarding the living wearer against wet and cold. The plumage was distinct and entire, and the whole bore a near similitude to the feathered cloaks now worn by the natives of the northwest coast of America. The body was in a squatting posture, with the right arm bent forward, and its hand encircling the right leg. The left-arm hung down, with its hand extending partly under the body. The individual, who was a male, did not probably exceed the age of fourteen at his death. There was a deep and extensive fracture of the skull near the occiput, which was probably the cause of his death. The skin had sustained little injury. It was of dusky color, but the natural hue could not be decided with exactness from its appearance at that time. The scalp, with small exceptions, was covered with sorrel and foxy hair. The teeth were white and sound. The hands and feet seem to have been slender and delicate.
