“Golgothas” of the Mandans: Legacy of the Hopewell Mound Builders

With evidence that the Mandan were in the Ohio Valley burying there dead in mounds, the Golgothas give valuable insight into Ohio Hopewell.

“Golgothas” of the Mandans: Legacy of the Ohio Mound Builders

   There are several of these golgothas, or circles of twenty or thirty feet in diameter, and in the center of each ring or circle is a little mound of three feet high, on which uniformly rest two buffalo skulls (a male and female), and in the center of the little mound is erected “a medicine pole,” of about twenty feet high, supporting many curious articles of mystery and superstition, which they supposedly have the power of guarding and protecting this sacred arrangement.

   Here, then, to this strange place do these people again resort to evince their further affections for the dead, not in groans and lamentations, however, for several years have cured the anguish, but fond affection and endearments are here renewed, and conversations are here held and cherished with the dead. Each one of these skulls is placed upon a bunch of wild sage, which has been pulled and placed under it. The wife knows, by some mark or resemblance, the skull of her husband or her child which lies in this group, and they're seldom passes a day that she does not visit it with a dish of the best-cooked food that her wigwam affords, which she sets before the skull at night, and returns for the dish in the morning. As soon as it is discovered that the sage on which the skull rests is beginning to decay, the woman cuts a fresh bunch and places the skull carefully upon it, removing that which was under it.
   Independent of the above-named duties, which draw the women to this spot, they visit it from inclination and linger upon it to hold converse and company with the dead. There is scarcely an hour in a pleasant day but more or less of these women may be seen sitting or lying by the skull of their child or husband, talking to it in the most pleasant and endearing language that they can use (as they were wont to do in former days), and seemingly getting an answer back.

Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan Oto Sioux Burial Mounds

Reconstructed Hopewell burial mounds in downtown Grand Rapids. It has been suggested that the Hopewell mound builders were of Sioux origin.  The Oto Sioux had been the dominate mound building culture whose burial mounds and earthworks extend as far south as southwest Indiana.

Another view if the reconstructed Hopewell burial mounds in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Get Directions to the Hopewell Burial Mounds in Michigan

Newaygo County, Michigan Oto Sioux Hopewell Burial Mound

Newaygo County, Michigan Oto Sioux Hopewell Burial Mound

Burial mound photographed near White Cloud, Michigan

Hopewell Sioux Seip Earthworks and Burial Mounds

Hopewell Sioux Seip Earthworks and Burial Mounds

Seip mound was mowed by the OHS showing the dimensions of the earthworks that surrounded two large Hopewell Sioux burial mounds in the interior.  UFOs spotted over the Seip mound here  www.nephilimgiants.net : Triangular UFO Sighted Over the Seip Geometric Earthwork and Mounds in Ohio

Get Direction to over 100 burial mound and earthwork sites in Ohio.  222 sites in IN, WV, KY and MI

Colorized Print of the Marietta, Ohio Earthworks

Colorized Print of the Marietta, Ohio Earthworks

I colorized this print that was taken from an 1832 painting of the Marietta, Ohio Adena Hopewell platform mounds.

Get Directions, Photos and Histories of Hundreds of Sites in Ohio

Ancient Stone Work Near Jacksontown, Ohio (Licking County)

Ancient Stone Work Near Jacksontown, Ohio (Licking County) 

    

     This work is situated eighty rods north of the National Road, and two miles east of Jacksontown, Licking County, Ohio. The ground here is elevated, the enclosure surrounding the summit of a hill, not very abrupt; the soil is a mass of broken sand-rock. From the top of the inner wall, e, in the section a b, to the bottom of the ditch between the walls, the distance is three feet, generally less; both the height of the wall and depth of the ditch, varying at different points. Of the entrances, c, c, c, the northern is the widest, being forty feet; the eastern twenty-eight, and the other twenty-two feet, and without mounds or barriers. The circles at figures 1, 2, 3, 4, represent mounds of stones, such as one, or at most, two men might carry, loosely thrown together. No. 1 was eighteen feet high, with a base of ninety feet diameter. No. 2, fifteen feet height and seventy feet base. No. 3, the same. Their bases are not regular circles, and all of them are now (May, 1838) much injured by the inhabitants of Jacksontown, who use the stone for cellar walls. This consists of the coarse-grained sandstone of the coal series, and constitutes an excellent material for rough walls. I did not observe any permanent supply of water in the neighborhood, or any reservoirs within the enclosures, which might otherwise be regarded as defensive work. The largest diameter is seven hundred and fifty feet; the shorter six hundred. The interior space rises above the well and ditch several feet, in an oval or rounded form. One-fourth of a mile to the north-east is another stone mound, like those within the work, which is fifteen feet high, and composed of loose sandstone.

Ross County, Ohio's Lost Nephilim Sun Temple

Ross County, Ohio's Lost Nephilim Sun Temple

Sun Temple or Henge located on the North Fork of Paint Creek in Ross County, Ohio is clearly seen in this early 1990s aerial photo.To see all of the visible burial mounds and earthworks in Ross County, Ohio

A wider view shows Paint Creek to the south where the North Fork Henge site was located.

Over 100 Adena Hopewell Burial Mound and Earthworks Photographed

Pike County Osage Hopewell Earthwork Decoded

Pike County Osage Hopewell Earthwork Decoded

The Great Spirit of the Osage Indian Tribe was Wah-kon-tah, the great mystery spirit or power. In one of their legend of creation, the Osages believed that the People of the Sky (Tzi-sho) met with the People of the Land (Hun-Kah) to form one tribe, the Children of the Middle Waters (Ni-u-ko’n-ska).

Osage Hopewell Star Chart. The Key to the Hopewell Earthworks in the Ohio Valley.

Osage Hopewell Star Chart.  The Key to the Hopewell Earthworks in the Ohio Valley.

    None of the younger Osage men knew about these matters and the author was urged not to speak to them on this subject. He observed that several of the elder men, members of the secret order in which these traditions are preserved, had parts of the accompanying symbolic chart (Fig. 389) tattooed on their throats and chests. This chart is a facsimile of one that was drawn for the author by Hada-ɔüʇse. At the top we see a tree near a river. 

This is evidence of the importance of the sun and stars of the Dakota Sioux tribes who once resided in the Ohio Valley and built many of the earthworks aligned to different stars and solar events of the equinoxes and solstices. 

Smaller, Oto Sioux Earthen Circle Discovered at the Strawtown, Indiana Works

Smaller, Oto Sioux Earthen Circle Discovered at the Strawtown, Indiana Works

History of Hamilton County, Indiana 1915

The Fort and Mound

The main work is a circle about three hundred feet in diameter, thrown up in the center, but apparently level and surrounded by a ditch that Mr. Parker says was about six feet deep when he first saw it. Fifty yards to the south of the large circle is a lesser circle about fifty feet in diameter and now almost obliterated

IPFW archaeologists determined that this Hopewell earthen circle was affiliated with the Oto Sioux. Additional Oto Sioux burial mounds and earthworks have been identified at the Mann Site in Pozsey County, Indiana. More on the Oto Sioux

History of Hamilton County, Indiana 1915

The Fort and Mound

The main work is a circle about three hundred feet in diameter, thrown up in the center, but apparently level and surrounded by a ditch that Mr. Parker says was about six feet deep when he first saw it. Fifty yards to the south of the large circle is a lesser circle about fifty feet in diameter and now almost obliterated.

South of the large circle this earthwork was discovered.  It is believed that these embankments are the smaller 50 foot diameter circle.

Map of Historic Tribes of the Hopewell Mound Builders

Map of Historic Tribes of the Hopewell Mound Builders

This map shows the historic Indian tribes that made up the Hopewell Empire. The Sioux, Cherokee, and Iroquois are believed to have been the earlier Maritime Archaic and split about 1500 B.C. Linguistic studies show these three historic tribes to have a similar language that was from a common tongue.  History of the early Native American mound builders

Oneoto Sioux Earthwork at Merom, Indiana (Sullivan County)

Oneoto Sioux Earthwork at Merom, Indiana (Sullivan County)

Earthwork placed on the highest bluff of the Wabash River was believed to constructed by the Oneoto Sioux.

The Strawtown earthwork was excavated by IPFW in Fort Wayne, Indiana and their conclusions were that the earthwork was Oneoto Sioux in origin. This earthwork had been plowed for many years and its original contours diminished. The archaeologist replaced the earth when finished; leaving no apparent signs of an excavation. The earthwork at Yorktown, Indiana looks similar in design to Strawtown, also on the White River and may also prove to be Oneoto in origin.

    The large mounds found in the southwestern portion of the State represent some of the largest mounds ever constructed by the Hopewell.  Eli Lilly had made the suggestion that Murphy, Bone Bank and the Indian “citadel” at Merom, on the Wabash in Sullivan County, were indicative of a Siouan      relationship, equating the three with the Oneoto culture. Moorehead said of the Murphy site that the platform pipes represented “early Siouan.”

Glenford Adena Stone Ceremonial Center To Open To Public

Glenford, Ohio, Adena Stone Ceremonial Center To Open To Public

Early map of Glenford Fort that was once surrounded by a six foot high stone wall.

   

  The Columbus Dispatch just reported that what is known as "Glenford Fort" is to open to the public.  The Coopriders had made efforts to have the large stone burial mound reconstructed after being demolished by a local amateur archaeologists.

I took this photo several years ago of large stone burial mound in the center of the complex.

 

Remnants of the stone wall after being demolished by the city of Columbus.

Recent photo of a remaining wall that is still a couple of feet high

The entrance to the ceremonial complex takes you through this stone sacred via.

Hopewell Artifacts Discovered in Hocking County, Ohio

Hopewell Artifacts Discovered in Hocking County, Ohio

Ancient Levee Discovered at the Portsmouth, Ohio Earthworks

Ancient Levee Discovered at the Portsmouth, Ohio Earthworks

The Yellow Line is where the ancient levee was diagrammed by the Ohio Power Company

Portsmouth Daily Times, October 2, 1939
Sixth St. Believed, Part of Levee by Mound Builders
   The Ohio Power Co.s new office building at Sixth and Washington streets will sit on top of a flood levee built years ago by the Mound Builders.
   Samples of the soil sent to Columbia University for testing puzzled the professors and another sample was requested.  The professors said that the sod appeared to be "doped" and was unlike sod usually found in that section of the country.
Soil Imported
   Further examination revealed the sod was brought here by the Mound builders and was used to build a levee along Sixth Street from the Scioto river bank east..  The levee apparently followed a line east from Sixth street to Galia and Waller streets and ran northeast to Offnere street hill.
   The lines in the soil indicated that more soil was added each year. In one place a leaf mold about two feet thick was found. It has not been determined of the required years to build the levee, or was soil added as the flood stage of the river increased.
Believed Mixed with Clay
   Historian believe that Mound Builders found a particular soil elsewhere that proved superior for their purposes than the clay found around here.  It is believed the imported soil was mixed with clay to build the levee.

Historian

Adena Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are Identical at Cedar Banks and Yorktown, Indiana

Adena Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks are Identical at Cedar Banks and Yorktown, Indiana

Henge mapped at the Cedar Bank ceremonial center in Chillicothe, Ohio. Unlike most of the henges in the Ohio Valley, this work had an earthwork inside of the interior ditch.

A singular henge is located in Delware County, Indiana.  The gateway to this henge is aligned to the Winter Solstice sunset.

The farmer tiles excess water from the fields into the earthwork that floods the interior ditch. This photo shows the earthwork that protrudes out of the water on the interior of the ditch.

Skull Rock at Yellow Springs, Ohio

Skull Rock at Yellow Springs, Ohio

Skull Rock is located at the Hopewell necropolis at Yellow Springs, Ohio. It is situated about 50 below street level in cavern that includes two natural springs.

Hopewell Numerology, The Earth Mother and 215 Feet

Hopewell Numerology, The Earth Mother and 215 Feet

There are several works in the Ohio Valley that have been measured at 215 feet. The shapes of these earthworks would suggest that the length was used as part of a numerological codex to indicate the Earth Mother.

Intersecting two circles at the midpoint creates the vesica pisca (fish vessel) that was used in an cient times to represent the Earth Mother.

This shape was used in two separate earthworks at Mounds State Park in Anderson, Indiana. The length of the earthwork, t called the "Fiddle Back Mound" is 215 feet in length. The aligment from the (now destroyed) center mound to the center of the "Fiddle" aligns with the Winter Solstice Sunrise.

This photo shows the Point that extends through the interior ditch of the "Fiddle" that was constructed as a Vesica Pisca.

Another earthwork with a constructed middle is just north of the "Fiddle" at Mounds State Park. Evidence that this work is associated with the Earth Mother is the solar alignment of the gateway with the May 1st sunrise. 

Another earthwork with a constricted middle occurs at the New Castle, Indiana henge site, about 20 miles from Anderson. It is designated as Mound # 4 on the top map and the length of 215 feet is shown at the bottom of the page. This mound is aligned to the mound to the west to mark the Equinox sunset.

The third earthwork that was measured at 215 feet wide, is the Sacred Via at Piketon, Ohio. The length of the earthwork was 1080 feet, that reoccurs in the side of square earthworks in Ohio and Indiana. The square was symbolic of the 4 winds and the Earth Mother.

Germantown, Ohio Serpentine Earthen Hopewell Enclosure

Germantown, Ohio Serpentine Earthen Enclosure

The serpentine gateway at Spruce Hill was duplicated at several hilltop ceremonial centers, including the work at Germantown, Ohio.

Serpentine gateway of the Germantown hilltop earthwork is very similar to the Spruce Hill gateway. The approaches to this earthwork looked to be man made and undulated like a serpent.

Parts of the original wall that skirts the bluff are still visible in the winter months.

Oneoto Sioux Hopewell Mounds and Earthworks in Posey County, Indiana

Oneoto Sioux Hopewell Mounds and Earthworks in Posey County, Indiana

Square earthworks similar to those found in Ohio were diagrammed by Indiana University.

Prehistoric Antiquities of Indiana, Lilly, 1937

The village and burial site near the mouth of the Wabash yielded so many artifacts similar to the Oneota culture, such as limestone disk pipes, copper ear spools, tubular beads, and characteristic triangular arrow points, that Siouan relationship seems almost certain. Probably the village at Bone Bank [Posey County, Indiana] and the citadel at Merom, both on the lower Wabash, were also Siouan sites.

Large loaf shaped burial mound similar to the Seip Mound in Ross County, Ohio photographed north of Mt. Vernon, Indiana.

Oneoto Sioux burial mound located a few miles east of Mt. Vernon, Indiana.

Oneoto Sioux Hopewell burial mound now has a house on top. The tree line in the distance is the Ohio River.

This incised jar design (Lesueur 41205) is a variety of Caborn-Welborn Decorated that is very similar to Oneota jar motifs found in regions to the north and east of the mouth of the Wabash. Note the nested circle and the loop handle. Oneota motifs occur as small percent of the decorated ceramics at many Caborn-Welborn sites.