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Quick Facts
Moundbuilders
Rose Finnerty E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
Facts about Indian Mounds
- Indian mounds were built by Hopewell and Adena tribes between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.
- The majority of mounds are in central and southeastern Ohio.
- There were over 1000 mounds in Ohio alone.
- Mounds can be more than 40 feet tall.
- The conical earthworks were often burial sites.
- Archeologists believe some other reasons for building the mounds were to mark territory, maintain ties between members of the tribes and hold spiritual rituals.
- The earthworks are found in many shapes such as circles, squares, octagons or elongated snake shapes.
- Serpent Mound, a serpent-shaped mound in Adams County, Ohio, is one of several nominated to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Hopewell buried their leaders in the mounds with jewelry, pottery and other crafted items.
- Many mounds have been destroyed or eroded throughout the years.
- Most mounds are not protected in any way. Some have buildings on them, others have crops on them and the majority of the mounds go unrecognized by most people.
- Mounds are found on both public and private land.
- Some destroyed mounds have been recreated on their original spots.
- As archeologists and historians better understand the historical significance of the mounds and other native earthworks, there is more interest in protecting them. Local historical societies are one of the bigges