Thus from the twelfth century, the time set for the irruption of the
savage tribes from New Mexico, two or three centuries would probably
suffice to sweep away the last even of the farthest north Takawgamis.
This, say the fifteenth century, would agree very well, not only with
time estimated by the early French explorers, but also with the
tradition of the Crees who claim that for three or four centuries they
have lived sole possessors upon the borders of Lake Superior, Lake of
the Woods, and Lake Winnipeg. Our theory then is that the mound
builders occupied the region of Rainy and Red Rivers from the eleventh
to the fifteenth centuries. Their works remain.

HOW OLD

then are the mounds? If our conclusions are correct the oldest mound
in our region cannot exceed 800 years, and the most recent must have
been completed upwards of 400 years ago. Look at further
considerations, which lead to these conclusions. We learn, that 200
years ago, viz.: in 1683, the "Clistinos" and "Assinipouals" (Crees
and Assiniboines) were in their present country. The Crees were at
that time in the habit of visiting both Lake Superior and Hudson's Bay
for the purpose of trade. They were then extensive nations and no
trace of a nation which preceded them was got from them. The fallen
tree on the top of the grand mound, judging by the concentric rings of
its trunk is 150 or 200 years old, and yet its stump stands in a foot
or more of mould that must have taken longer than that time to form.
Even among savage nations it would take upwards of half a dozen
generations of men, to lose the memory of so great a catastrophe as
the destruction of a former populous race. Then some 400 years ago
would agree with the time of extermination of the Hochelagans, or with
the destruction of the Eries, who according to Labontan were blotted