What's Inside a Burial Mound? A Look at an Illinois Dakota Sioux Hopewell Mound

This is the excavation of the  Ethel R. Wilson Mound 6 was located in White County, Illinois. The burial mound was excavated in 1950 by the Illinois State Museum

The burial mound was 90 feet in diameter. and 13 feet in height. Carbon dating revealed that the mound was constructed about 200 B.C.

The six burial included one woman.  All of the skeletons had grave good included, included with their burials that were cut bear jaws and platform pipes.

Platform pipes that are associated with the later Dakota Sioux were included with all the burial along with a few conches shells.

Ancient Earthwork Discovered on Brookville Lake in Indiana

MOUNDS IN INDIANA. By E.D. R. QUICK, Brookville, Indiana. The valley of the White Water River contains some terraces. There are mounds on the two highest of these and on the tops of the hills. I have opened several, finding them to be sepulchral— containing bones, charred and re-charred; a few curved and a few chipped stones. They also contain much charcoal and other evidence of fire. In one case there was a stick, eight or ten inches thick, completely charred. Above this was a layer of clay that had been subjected to heat so intense that it was in some places completely vitrified or glassy in appearance.\
   The mounds are generally low and situated in pairs, a larger and a smaller one, are together on some prominent point. 
    The stone mounds consist of stone and earth, with which are mingled great quantities of bones of men, animals, birds, and reptiles. I know of but one “enclosure” in our county. It is situated on an almost isolated hill, about three hundred and fifty feet above the level of the river. The level surface of the hill, containing about fifteen acres, is in the shape of a horse-shoe, the embankments being a semi-circle joining the ends. The ditch is on the outside.
    We find a great many axes, of all sizes, from a few ounces to thirteen pounds in weight; also fleshers, chisels, gouges, scrapers, etc. In some fields almost innumerable arrow-heads and spearheads are found. We find a few pipes, some gorgets, and double edged or double-pointed implements, like tomahawks, but too light to do service as such. 
    I also have one of the so-called “boat-form ornaments.” I send you drawing of an ornament in my collection. It is of blue slate, banded with black, and shows evidence of rasping and scouring into its present shape. It is perfectly symmetrical in form and shape. We find broken pottery scattered over the river bottoms. Old bones which I have found were so decomposed that nothing satisfactory could be determined with regard to them. At some future time I can furnish casts of my best pieces.

Pickaway and Hocking County, Ohio Adena Burial Mound Tour

Pickaway and Hocking County, Ohio Adena Burial Mound Tour

A large burial mound is located just a few miles to the southeast of Circleville, in Pickaway County, Ohio of State Road 56.

This is the second largest burial mound in Ohio that is easily seen from State Road 56.

A few miles southeast on State Road 56 is this large burial mound in the backyard of this house.

e

Just past Laurelville, in Hocking County, this mound can be seen in the field to the south.

On the ridge, just behind the last mound is this large burial mound with a deep ditch that surrounds it with four gateways aligned to the cardinal points.  In the foreground, the embankment of a small henge can be seen.

Indian Burial Mounds in Whitley County, Indiana

Indian Burial Mounds in Whitley County, Indiana

This small pile of stones has been there since the land was settled according to locals.  It is located on an old Indian trail that overlooks the Miami Indiana village once inhabited by the infamous Little Turtle.

Counties of Whitley and Noble Indiana,1882

      Several mounds have been discovered in Whitley County, and novices have opened a few of them, and as a consequence the more important features have been lost or overloaded. It may be stated in general that, in this locality, the earthworks are of three kinds-sepulchral, where the dead lie buried, sacrificial, where offerings were burned to gain the favor of the deity; and memorial mounds, which were erected to commemorate some great event. A number of years ago, a sepulchral mound was opened about three miles east of Columbia City and a quantity of crumbling homes and a few stone implements were taken. This was a sepulchral mound, and, if a cross section had been examined, the alternate layers of clay, sand and small cemented pebbles would have been seen. This kind of mound was wisely made. There first the stratum of fine gravel, almost as good as cement, placed directly over the skeletons; next was a hard pan of clay that was almost impervious to water as the cement; then came a stratum of sand that would carry all percolating water down the sides of the mounds and away from the skeletons. It is maintained on good authority that corpses, placed under these conditions, with additional stratum of earth above the sand, will be preserved for centuries. The burden of authority places the erection of the mounds throughout. The country at a period preceding the Christian era a co-existent with the old Assyrian, Egyptian and Babylonian nations.

     Several mounds have been opened in the county, in which charcoal has been found. If carefully examined, these mounds will present the following characteristics always present in sacrificial mounds. A small earthen alter, sometimes two or more yards square, in the center and at the bottom of the mound, upon which is often found a bushel or more of charcoal and ashes, often mingled with half consumed bones of animal that were burned to propitiate the deity. Over the altar are found the strata of earth already mentioned. . . .The writer learns from various sources that there are mounds in the following townships: Etna, Jefferson, on its eastern line, Troy, Thorn Creek, Smith, Union, and possibly in Columbia and Cleveland. Openings have been made in most of them, and bones, charcoal, ornaments and implements have been discovered.

List, Maps and Locations of Indian Burial Mounds in Alabama

List of Indian Burial Mounds in Alabama

Baldwin County. 
Mound on Pordido Bay, near Josephine post-office, containing a large amount of pottery in fragments. Reported by Francis H. Parsons, of the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. 
Shell heaps on the Mobile River at its mouth, especially on Simpson Island. Opened ; human remains, bone implements, and pottery ob tained. Described by A. S. Gaines and K. M. Cunningham, Sm. Rep., 1877, pp. 290,291. 

Shell banks on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, 1 mile from Point Clear. Reported by C. Cadle, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 442. Mound on the extremity of Bear Point Peninsula, in Perdido Bay, in which human bones and a number of earthern pots— some containing portions of skulls — were found. Examined and described by G. M. Sternberg, Proc. A. A. A. S., v. 24 (1875), pp. 287-290.
 Mounds and other works on the Tensaw River near where Battle River leaves it. Broken pottery found in one mound. Described and figured by A. Bigelow, Am. Jour. Sci. and Art, 2d ser., v. 15 (1853), pp. 186-192. 

Barbour County. Mounds near Eufaula. Noticed by J. M. MoElory, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 444. Remains of an old Creek town, 3 miles northeast of Eufaula, on the St. Francis bend of the Chattahoochee River. Briefly described in Report.

Blount County. Cache of seventeen chipped implements, spear heads, etc., in a field near Blountsville. Reported by Frank Burns, Sm. Rep., 1882, p. 820. Burial cave, known as "Camp's Cave," 15 miles south of Blountsville. Skeletons, wooden trough, bark matting, copper articles, etc., have been found in it. Frank Burns, Sm. Rep., 188*, p. 826; also mentioned in Report.

Calhoun County. Large isolated mound about 3 miles southeast of Oxford on the Caver place, near Chocolocco Creek. Noticed by Elston Luttrell, Sm. Rep., 1882, p. 827. Also reported by J. P. Rogan. Cherokee County. Ancient parallel ditches at the falls of Little River, in the northeast corner of this County, near the De Kalb County line. Rock houses or caves in the vicinity. Pickett's Hist. Ala,, v. 1, pp. 175-176.

Chilton County. Mound at Varna, on the South and North Alabama Railroad, near the old Repito Gold mine, on sec. 16, T. 21 R. 16 E. Reported by Dr. E. A. Smith. Stone heaps in T. 23 N.,R. 14 E.,of Stephen's meridian, 3 £ miles north east of Jemison Station, South and North Alabama Railroad. Described by William Gesner, Sm. Rep., 1881, pp. 0I0, 017. Clark County. Burying ground and mound on the site of )h\ Fort Mauvila (the latter now obliterated), 4.| miles east of Gainestown on the bank of Alabama River, in Sec. 2, T. 5 N., R. 4 E. Brief notice in Report.

Clark County. Burying ground and mound on the site of ) Fort Mauvila (the latter now obliterated), 4.| miles east of Gainestown on the bauk of Alabama River, in Sec. 2, T. 5 N., R. 4 E. Brief notice in Report. Clay County. Stone mound in sec. 26, T. 19 S., R. 7 E. Briefly described by William Gesner, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 382. Ancient mica quarry in sec. 26, T. 19 S., R. 7 E. Described briefly by William Gesner, Sm. Ron., 1879, p. 382. 

Dallas County. Ancient ditches at Cahawba. Incidental mention In Pickett's Hist. Ala., v. 1, p. 172. Elmore County. " Old Fort Jackson Works," mounds and house-sites, and remains of old French Fort Toulouse and United States Fort Jackson, near the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers. Partially explored by Dr. Palmer. Mentioned in Report. Mound at Wetumpka. Reported by James D. Middleton. Mounds and house remains on the west bank of the Coosa River,about a mile above where it is joined by the Tallapoosa. Mound on an island in Jackson Lake, 6 miles north of Montgomery. The " Parker mound" on the Coosa River, near its junction "with the Tallapoosa. Explored by Dr. E. Palmer.

Greene County. A group of mounds on the Black Warrior River near Knoxville, in the northeast corner of the county. Reported by E. A. Smith. Hale County. A group of flat-topped, square and conical mounds known as the "Prince mounds," about half a mile from Carthage, in the northwestern part of the county. Noticed iu rickett's Hist. Ala., vol. 1., p. 166; reported also by Middleton, Rogan, and Palmer. A mound 7 miles below Carthage. Reported by James D. Middleton. 

Jackson County. Mound on west bank of Tennessee River, 1 mile above Bridgeport. Three small mounds on west bank of Tennessee River, 3 miles below Bridgeport. Two mounds on west bank of Tennessee River just above Widow's Creek. Another on same side due east from Stevenson. Mound on east bank of Tennessee River, nearly opposite last, below the mouth of Morgan's Creek. Three small mounds on west bank of Tennessee River, at Sublette ferry, near Bellefonte.

Jefferson County, Group of mounds in T. 17 S., R. 1 W., about 4 miles north of Bir mingham and west of the South and North Alabama Railroad. Described by William Gesucr, Sm. Rep., 1881, p. 610. Large quadrangular mound a few miles from Elytou. Mentioned in Pickett's Hist. Ala., vol. 1., p. 178. Mounds and "furnaces" on Village Creek. General mention by C. McKinley. Small group of mounds near old Jonesborough, on sec. 8, T. 19 S., R. 4 W., of Huntsville meridian. Explored by James I). Middleton. Described and figured in Report. 

Lauderdale County. The "Douglass mounds" near lock No. 10 of the Mussel Shoals Canal, 12 miles east of Florence. Briefly described in Report. Hexagonal mound surrounded by a wall, on the bank of the Tennessee River near Florence. Figured and described in Anc. Mon., pp. 109, 110. Noticed in Pickett's Hist. Ala., vol. 1., p. 168. Brief description in Dr. Palmer's field notes for lrf8X "Stafford Mound" (or shell heap), a mile south of Florence, on the bank of the Tennessee River.
Lee County. Workshop, east of Youngsborough, ou the Western Railroad, at the foot of Storey's Mountain, T. 19 N., R. 27 E. Brief notice by William Gesner, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 443.

 Lowndes County. Village site, or burial ground, in the northeastern corner of the county, on the south bank of the Alabama River, at the junction of Pentlala Creek with the river. Human bones, inclosed in double pots, and ashes have been found. Brief description, Palmer's Held notes, 188:!. Three groups of mounds in this county, as follows : One in the southern part of the county, on Mussel Creek, on land of Mr. Fisher Merritt, T. 12 N., R. 14 E. One ou Big Swamp Creek, in the center of the county, T. 14 ST., R. 14 E. One in the northern part, on the Alabama River, between Whitehall and Benton. Brief mention by W. M. Garrett, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 443. " Workshops," near Mount Willing, one on Mr. Hartley's plantation, Sec. 36, T. 13 N., R. 13 E., and one on Mr. Lee's plantation, Sec. 32, T. 13 N., R. 14 E. Short notice by W. M. Garrett, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 443. Macon (or Elmore) County. Group of three mounds, 10 miles below Little Tallassie, on the Ala bama River. Figure showing positions. Schoolcraft's Hist. Ind. Tribes, vol. 5 (1856), p. 282. 

Madison County. Mounds on Jones's plantation, near Newmarket.
Mounds at Hazel Green, on the old Jeffries place. Reported by Gilbert Thompson. - Shell heaps at Huntsville. Reported by Dr. E. Palmer. Long shell heap on the north bank of the Tennessee River, near Whitesburg. Described in Report. Marshall County. Burial cave, known as the " Hampton Cave," about 1 mile west of Guntersville. Partially explored. Described in Report. 

Mobile County. Large shell heap at the south end of the county on the north side of Bayou Coq d'Inde, near its mouth, a few miles from Bayou La Batre. Described by Ma.j. W. T. Walthall in Mobile Tribune, August 11, 1859. Reprinted in 16th Rep. Peab. Mus., pp. 186-189. Also reported by Chas. Mohr, Sm. Rep., 1881, p. 619.
Shell heaps along the coast, one of them at the mouth of Bayou Como. Description by Maj. W. T. Walthall in Mobile Tribune, August 11, 1859. Re printed in 16th Rep. Peab. Mus. , pp. 186-189. Also reported by Chas. Mohr, Sm. Rep., 1881, p. 618. An earth mound surrounded by a shell mound near Mobile. Mentioned by W. S. McNeil. A burial ground, near Mount Vernon Arsenal, about 30 miles from Mobile and 3 miles from the Alabama River. Reported by Charles Mohr, Sm. Rep., 1881, p. 619. Montgomery County. Group of five mounds, 9 miles southwest of Montgomery, on the bank of the Alabama River. Briefly described in Report.

 St. Clair County. Old Indian fortification on the SE. J Sec. 16, T. 17 S., R. 1 E., of the Huntsville meridian. Reported by Hiram Haines, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 443.

 Shelby County. Stone heap, about 1 mile east of Siluria, on the South and North Alabama Railroad, T. 21 S., R. 3 W. William Gesner, Sm. Rep., 1881, p. 617. 

Sumter County. The "Cedar Hammock Group," situated on Sec. 5, T. 17 N., R. 1 E., of Stevens's meridian. Small mounds. Described by Dr. Edward Palmer in Report. 

Talladega County. Old Creek settlement on the bank of Talladega Creek, 4 miles southeast of Talladega, at Cragsdale. Bones, shell ornaments and pottery found. Short description in Report. Ancient mica quarry in Sec. 12, T. 20 S., R. 6 E. William Gesner, Sm. Rep., 1879, p. 382; also, p. 443. Workshops in T. 18 S., R. 7 E., on the headwaters of Talladega Creek, at the eastern end of Cedar Ridge. Mentioned by William Gesner, Sm. Rep., 1881, p. 617. A group of mounds " orderly arranged," 15 miles southwest of Ox ford, on south bank of Choccoloco Creek. Elston Luttrell, Sm. Rep., 1882, p. 827. Also reported by J. P. Rogan. Mounds and Indian cemetery in the vicinity of Talladega. Reported by John P. Rogan and Dr. Palmer. A shell bed at Fort William on the Coosa River, Sec. 6 or 7, T. 22 S., R. 2E. Mentioned by M. Tuomey, 2d Bienn. Rep. on the Geol. of Ala. (1858), p. 157, 

Tallapoosa County. Aboriginal soapstone quarry. Exact locality not given. Mentioned by Charles Mohr, Sm. Rep., 1881, pp. 617-616.

Indian mounds and earthwork map of Alabama 1

Indian mounds and earthwork map of Alabama 2

Colossus Adena Burial Mound in Butler County, Ohio

Colossus Adena Burial Mound in Butler County, Ohio

Photo from "The Nephilim Chronicles: A Travel Guide to the Ancient Ruins in the Ohio Valley." What appears to be two peaks of the mound is the result of the Ohio Historical Societies' archaeological digs. It is never the practice of archaeologists to restore burial mounds after excavating them Get directions to this site and 32 other large burial mounds in Ohio.  Here's a sneak peek from "The Nephilim Chronicles: A Travel Guide to the Ancient Ruins in the Ohio Valley" 

    From the "History of Butler County, Ohio"

The Great Mound of Butler County from rth.

One of Ohio's largest Adena Burial mounds as seen from Google Earth.  

If you travel to the mound in the summer months, this is what you will see.  The state of Ohio puts little or no value on the remnants of one of the worlds most prestigious ancient cultures. The largest remaining stone burial mound in Ohio is only a few miles from this site that is equally neglected.

Distribution and Population of the The Mound Building Indians

DISTRIBUTION and POPULATION OF THE MOUND-BUILDING INDIANS

The Indian mounds of these first Americans of which we know are found between Oregon and the Wyoming valley, in Pennsylvania, and Onondaga county in New York; they extend from Manitoba in Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

The great seat of empire was in the drainage area of the Mississippi river; on this river and its tributaries were the heaviest mound-building populations. Few mounds are found east of the Alleghany mountains.

In the Catalogue of Prehistoric Works East of the Rocky Mountains, issued by the Bureau of Ethnology of the Smithsonian Institution,  the geographical extent and density of the Indian mounds in central North America is brought out state by state with striking suggestiveness. While the layman is[] warned that these maps “present some features which are calculated to mislead,” and that the maps indicate “to some extent the more thoroughly explored areas rather than the true proportion of the ancient works in the different sections,” still some conclusions have already been reached which future exploitation will never weaken.

It is not expected that future investigation will change the verdict that the heaviest mound-building population found its seat near the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. “There is little doubt,” writes Dr. Thomas, “that when Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia have been thoroughly explored many localities will be added to those indicated ... but it is not likely that the number will be found to equal those in the area drained by the Ohio and its affluents or in the immediate valley of the Mississippi.”

This fact, that the heaviest populations of the mound-building Indians seem to have been near the Mississippi and Ohio is, of course, shown by the archæological maps. In a rough way, subject to the limitations previously mentioned, it can be found that the following fourteen states contain evidences of having held the heaviest ancient populations:

Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Illinois, Florida, New York, Kentucky, Indiana,

Michigan, Georgia and Arkansas, Missouri and  North Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa, Pennsylvania.

Now, by our last census the states which contain the largest population today are:

New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Missouri, Massachusetts,

Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Tennessee.

Thus of the fourteen most thickly populated states today perhaps twelve give fair evidence of having been most thickly popug ]lated in prehistoric times. As a general rule (but one growing less reliable every day) the heaviest population has always been found in the best agricultural regions; the states having the largest number of fertile acres have had, as a rule, the largest populations—or did have until the cities grew as they have in the past generation.

The Great Serpent Mound and the Mound Builders of Adams County, Ohio

Old Postcard showing the Great Serpent Mound in Adams County, Ohio

Adams County

Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, 1848

Probably the most extraordinary earthwork thus far discovered at the West is the Great Serpent mound, of which a faithful delineation is given in the accompanying plan. It is situated on Brush creek, at a point known as "Three Forks," on entry near the north line of Adams County, Ohio. No plan or description has hitherto been published; nor does the fact of its existence appear to have been known beyond the secluded vicinity in which it occurs. The notice first received by the authors of these researchers was exceedingly vague and indefinite, and led to the conclusion that it was a work of defense, with bastions at regular intervals—a feature so extraordinary as to induce a visit, which resulted in the discovery here presented. The true character of the work was apparent on the first inspection. It is situated upon a high, crescent-form hill or spur of land, rising one hundred and fifty feet above the level of Brush creek, which washes its base. The side of the hill next the stream presents a perpendicular wall of rock, while the other slopes rapidly, though it is not so steep as to preclude cultivation. The top of the hill is not level but slightly convex, and presents a very even surface, one hundred and fifty feet wide by one thousand long, measuring from its extremity to the point where it connects with the table land. Conforming to the curve of the hill, and occupying its very summit, is the serpent, its head resting near the point, and its body winding back for seven hundred feet, in graceful undulation, terminating in a triple coil at the tail. The entire length, if extended, would be not less than one thousand feet. The accompanying plan, laid down from accurate survey, can alone give an adequate conception of the outline of the work, which is clearly and boldly defined, the embankment being upwards of five feet in height by thirty feet base, at the center of the body, but diminishing somewhat towards the head and tail. The neck of the serpent is stretched out and slightly curved, and its mouth is opened wide as if in the act of swallowing or ejecting an oval figure, which rest partially within the distended jaws. This oval is formed by an embankment of earth, without any perceptible opening, four feet in height, and is perfectly regular in outline, its transverse and conjugate diameters being one hundred and sixty and eighty feet respectively. 

 The ground within the oval is slightly elevated: a small circular elevation of large stones much burned once existed in its center; but they have been thrown down and scattered by some ignorant visitor, under the prevailing impression probably that gold was hidden beneath them. The point of the hill, within which this egg-shaped figure rest, seems to have been artificially cut to conform to its outline, leaving a smooth platform, ten feet wide, and somewhat inclining inwards, all around it. The section A B will illustrate this feature. Upon either side of the serpent's head extend two small triangular elevations, ten or twelve feet over. They are not high, and although too distinct to be overlooked, are yet too much obliterated to be satisfactorily traced. Besides a platform, or level oval terrace, at B, and large mound in the center of the isthmus connecting the hill with the table land beyond, there are no other remains, excepting a few mounds, within six or eight miles—none, perhaps, nearer than the entrenched hill in Highland county, thirteen miles distant. There are a number of works lower down on Brush creek, towards it mouth; but their character is not known. The point on which this effigy occurs commands an extensive prospect, overlooking the "bottoms" found at the junction of the three principal tributaries of the creek. The alluvial terraces are here quite extensive, and it is a matter of surprise that no works occur upon them.

The serpent, separate or in combination with the circle, egg, or globe has been a predominate symbol among many primitive nations. It prevailed in Egypt, Greece, and Assyria, and entered widely into the superstitions of the Celts, the Hindu, and the Chinese. It even penetrated into America; and was conspicuous in the mythology of the ancient Mexicans, among whom its significance does not seem to have differed materially from that which it possessed in the old world. The fact that the ancient Celts, and perhaps other nations of the old continent, erected sacred structures in the form of the serpent, are one of high interest. Of this description was the great temple of Avebury, in England—in many respects the most imposing ancient monument of the British Islands.

Britain's largest henge at Avebury measuring 1250 in diameter. It is England's largest henge, that was accompanied with a serpentine sacred via of standing stones. The largest henge in the Ohio Valley, is the henge at Newark, also 1250 feet in diameter. Early historians, noted the similarities of Avebury with the works at Portsmouth, Ohio.

The Great Serpent Mound is best viewed from a tower that is accessible at the park. This photo looks west toward the serpent’s head swallowing the egg; that is symbolic of the sun. Many of the Allegewi henges are aligned to solar events, as is the Serpent which is aligned to the summer solstice sunset. William Romain revealed in Mysteries of the Hopewell, Astronomers, Geometers and Magicians of the Eastern Woodlands, 2000; that each of the curves in the snake’s body is aligned to the moon's maximum and minimum sets and rises in it's 18-year cycle. This Serpent is the best example of the Allegewi’s reverence for the number three. The Serpents head is pointed to the three forks of Brush Creek. The Serpent has three bends in its body, and the tail circles three times. Nearby, at the Ft. Hill earthwork, there are thirty-three gateways that interrupt the serpentine walls.

This is one of several mounds near the Serpent effigy mound that has been determined to be Allegewi by the artifacts found within the mound.

Allegewi skeleton uncovered three feet below the surface of the Ohio mound. Diggers removed the bones below the knees before the skeleton was uncovered.

The Great Serpent mound is a short distance from Fort Hill and can be reached by going south on State Road 41 to State Road 73 west about 5 miles to the Serpent effigy. The site is closed during the winter months and does not open until April. A charge of seven dollars a car is charged Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Serpent Mound is one of the few sites in Ohio that is maintained and can be viewed during the summer.

History of Adams County, Ohio, 1900

About one-half mile north of Winchester is a fine mound and three circles, the walls of which were when first discovered about five feet high. These circles are about 150 feet in diameter. At the crossing of Seventh and Broadway in the town of Manchester stood a most beautiful Indian mound twenty-five feet high and perfect as a cone. It is said the Ellison heirs who owned the land had this beautiful tumulus dug down and carted away.

The Winchester Indian mound is located several miles north of Winchester on the west side of State Road 136. There was no evidence of the accompanying earthworks.

This small Indian mound is located one mile east of Manchester, Ohio, overlooking the Ohio River. Turn into the boat launch off of State Road 52 one mile east of Manchester. The mound is on the east side of the parking lot.

Exert from "The Nephilim Chronicles; A Travel Guide to the Ancient Ruins in the Ohio Valley."

Ohio Tourism: Off the Map Burial Mound Sites

Ohio Tourism: Off the Map Burial Mound Sites
Bainbridge Mound, Ross County, Ohio

Traveling to Mound City in Chillicothe, or the Seip Mound or Fort Hill?  These are the mounds that you will pass on the road and miss if you don't know where to look. I photographed 32 of the largest burial mounds in Ohio with 25 of them being "Address Restricted." For a sneak peek of these mounds that are featured in "The Nephilim Chronicles: A Travel Guide to the Ancient Ruins in the Ohio Valley." 

Nothing epitomizes the Indian burial mounds and earthworks in the State of Ohio like the Bainbridge mound, located only a few miles to the east of the Seip mound and earthwork.  The large Bainbridge Mound is located just before the S.R. 41

 O

Richmond, Indiana Burial Mound Tour

 Richmond, Indiana Burial Mound Tour

Richmond City Waterworks. Mound originally was thirty-five feet in diameter and nearly six feet high. Located in the northeast one-quarter of Section 34, Wayne Township.

Surviving burial mound is located south of the "Fort."  Square earthworks were abundant in this part of Indiana. Another square was north of Richmond and another at Winchester Indiana. 

The burial mound near the "Fort" is still visible and unique in that a raises sacred via is evident going down the steep hill to the next terrace.  

After clearing brush away from this burial mound, I was able to get this photograph. The mound is within the city limits of Richmond within the arboretum. 


The ruins of the ancient civilization of the Adena Hopewell are scattered all over the State of Indiana. 85 burial mound and earthwork sites have been located.

  222 Burial Mounds and Earthworks. Directions to 85 Burial Mounds and Earthworks in Indiana

Large Indian Burial Mound Photographed in Miami County, Indiana

Land owner hides the location for fear of looting by Indiana archaeologists

Historic Map of Miami County, Indiana showing the former locations of Indian burial mounds in the County.  The remaining mound is the largest burial mound in Northern Indiana.  It is not listed as a historic site nor preserved from excavations.  Similar mounds in this area contained single hole pendants, bone awls and other artifacts from the Maritime Archaic. The early Iroquois can be associated with the Meadowood and Point Peninsula that are found from the lower Great Lakes to the eastern extent of the St. Lawrence River.

Oblong burial mound located in Miami County, Indiana.  The mound sits on what appears to be an artificial circular elevation.  Locals have called this the "Top Hat Mound" because of the uniqueness of this site. The exact location of the mound was not divulged in the "Travel Guide" because the owner does not wish archaeologists to excavate and destroy the mound.

Miami County, Ohio Indian Mounds and Earthworks

Miami County, Ohio Indian Mounds and Earthworks

Mound on Corn Island, near Troy. Opened. Described and 
contents noted by George F. Adye in a letter in Cincinnati Gazette, 
and quoted in Hist. Mag., Nov. 1869, Vol. VI, 2d Ser., from the 
Christian Intelligencer. 

Earthworks and mounds in Concord and Newton townships. 
Brief descriptions by E. T. Wiltheiss, Papers Relating to Anthro- 
pology, from Sm. Rep. 1884, p. 38. 

Embankment of earth and stone on the left bank of the Great 
Miami, two miles and a half above the town of Piqua. Described 
and figured, Anc. Mon., p. 23, PI. viii, No. 3. Noticed also by 
Drake, View of Cin. Described and figured by John P. Rogan, 
Thomas MS. Notice by John P. MacLean, Mound Builders, p. 27. 

Below the preceding a group of works (circles, ellipses, etc), 
formerly existed on the site of the present town of Piqua. Described 
in Long's "Second Expedition," Vol. I, pp. 54-66. Mentioned in 
Anc. Mon., p. 23. 

Mounds and earthworks in Washington and Spring Creek 
townships, on the Great Miami and its tributaries. Full description 
and diagram by E. T. Wiltheiss, Papers Relating to Anthropology 
from Sm. Rep. 1884, pp. 35-38. 


Tablets of burnt clay found on farm of W. Morrow near Piqua. 
Reported by E. T. Wiltheiss, Sm. Rep. 1879, p. 440. 

Graded way at Piqua. Described in Long's Sec. Expd., Vol. 
I., p. 60. Noticed in Anc. Mon., p. 88.