List and Archaeological Maps of the Burial Mounds in Indiana. Allen - Franklin

List and Archaeological Maps of the Burial Mounds and Earthworks in Indiana

Allen County. Group of four mounds, 10 miles north of Fort Wayne, near Stoner's Station on the Fort Wayne, Jackson and Saginaw Railroad. Explored; contained human bones. Stone ax and spearhead found in the vicin ity. Described by R. S. Robertson, Sm. Rep., 1874, p. 383. Three mounds on St. Joseph River near the mouth of Cedar Creek at Cedarville. Circular inclosure in a bend of St. Joseph River on the east bank below the preceding, on the farm of Peter Notestine. Explored and briefly described by R. S. Robertson, Sm. Rep., 1874, p. 383. Semicircular inclosure on St. Joseph River, below the preceding and opposite Antrup's mill. Mound on St. Joseph River at the mouth of Breckenridge Creek. R. S. Robertson, Sm. Rep., 1874, pp. 383,384.

Carroll County. Large mound 6 miles southeast of Monticello. Briefly described by W. H. Hamelle, Indianapolis News, July 24, 1885; also mentioned in the Montreal (Canada) Star. August 8, 1885; Boston (Massa chusetts) Record, August 3, 1885. Shown by Mr. Collett to be a natural elevation. W. H. Smith in Indianapolis News, July 29, 1885. Clark County. Circular inclosure on James D. Robinson's farm on second bottom of Fourteen Mile Creek, about 2 miles west of New Washington. Described and figured by E. T. Cox, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1874, pp. 30, 31, Fig. 5. Shell heap at Clarksville just below the falls of the Ohio River, and one at H. Beach & Co.'s cement mill. Opened; several stone imple ments found. Others in the county not definitely located. Mentioned, with brief notice of articles found, by E. T. Cox, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1873, pp. 124, 125. Stone fort on a hill on the Ohio River at the mouth of Fourteen Mile Creek and near Charlestown. Described and figured in Geol. Surv. Ind., 1873, pp. 125-127,184-186. Also noticed by F. W. Putnam in 8th Rep. Peab. Mus., p. 47, and Am. Nat., vol. 9, p. 410. Lengthy description by W. H. Smith in Indianapolis News, July 29, 1885, copied into the New Albany (Indiana) Ledger, August 3, 1885. Brief notice in Geol. Surv. Ind., 1878. p. 124. Mounds on Battle Creek, 3£ miles north of Utica. Mounds 11 miles north of Patterson's. Mounds on both banks of Fourteen Mile Creek about a mile from Stone Fort. All located on map of Clark County by Prof. E. T. Cox, 5th Ann. Rep. Geol. Surv. Ind., 1873. Curious stone mounds on a bluff above the Ohio River, on Sec. 32, T. 2, K. 10, about 1 mile below Dean's marble quarry. Described and figured by E. T. Cox, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1874, pp. 25-29.

Crawford County. Deposits, quarries, and other antiquities in Wyandotte Cave near the Ohio River. Many flint chips and arrowheads were found in the mouth of the cave; also a stone saucer containing a black substance. Described by H. C. Hovey, Proc. Am. Ass. Adv. Sci., vol. 29(1880), pp. 725-731. Rock house and implements near Mifflin. Notice by John Collett, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1878, p. 449. Dearborn County. Inclosure and mounds in Section 2, on the hill immediately north of Hardinsburgh and about 3 miles north of Lawrenceburgh. Described and figured by E. T. Cox, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1878, pp. 121-125. Mounds in the vicinity of Aurora, one of which stood within the city limits. Mentioned by E. T. Cox, Geol. Surv. Ind., 1878, p. 122.

Decatur County. Mounds occur in this county chiefly along Flat Rock and Clifty Creeks. The only definite localities noted are the Shellhorn estate at tbe junction of Big and Little Flat Rock Creeks and Uewpoint. Shells, beads, and pottery were found in these mounds. Geol. Surv. Ind., 1882, pp. 150,151. De Kalb County. Two mounds near Waterloo. Explored and briefly described. Skel etons found. Circular earthwork, 6 miles northwest of Waterloo. Brief descrip tion. Mound on the farm of Henry Gouzer in Fairfield Township in which a few bones were found. Mere mention. Group of mounds about 5 miles northeast of Waterloo. Short description. Two mounds on the farm of Mr. Taylor, half a mile from above. R. S. Robertson, Sm. Rep., 1874, pp. 381, 382. 

Fayette County. Single mounds on NE. i, Sec. 34, T. 13 N., R. 13 E , in NE. J, See. 33, T. 13 N., R. 13 E.; two in NE. J, Sec. 14, T. 13 N., R. 13 E. In one of the latter ornaments of copper were found. Workshop in SE. J, Sec. 36, T. 13 N., R. 13 E. Camping grounds and traces of old trails in Sees. 34 and 30, T. 13 N., R. 13 E. Mound in Sec. 24, T. 13 K, R. 13 E. Mentioned by Dr. George W. Homsher, Sm. Rep., 1882, pp. 737-749 

Fountain County. Mounds to the north of Attica. Brief mention in Foster's Preh. Rac., p. 143.
to be junction of Big and Little Flat Rock Creeks and Uewpoint. Shells, beads, and pottery were found in these mounds. Geol. Surv. Ind., 1882, pp. 150,151. 

De Kalb County. Two mounds near Waterloo. Explored and briefly described. Skeletons found. Circular earthwork, 6 miles northwest of Waterloo. Brief description. Mound on the farm of Henry Gouzer in Fairfield Township in which a few bones were found. Mere mention. Group of mounds about 5 miles northeast of Waterloo. Short de scription. Two mounds on the farm of Mr. Taylor, half a mile from above. R. S. Robertson, Sm. Rep., 1874, pp. 381, 382. 

Fayette County. Single mounds on NE. i, Sec. 34, T. 13 N., R. 13 E , in NE. J, See. 33, T. 13 N., R. 13 E.; two in NE. J, Sec. 14, T. 13 N., R. 13 E. In one of the latter ornaments of copper were found. Workshop in SE. J, Sec. 36, T. 13 N., R. 13 E. Camping grounds and traces of old trails in Sees. 34 and 30, T. 13 N., R. 13 E. Mound in Sec. 24, T. 13 K, R. 13 E. Mentioned by Dr. George W. Homsher, Sm. Rep., 1882, pp. 737-749 

Fountain County. Mounds to the north of Attica. Brief mention in Foster's Preh. Rac., p. 143.

Franklin County. A mound on N. part Sec. 31, T. 10 ]ST.,-R, 2 W. Mentioned by Dr. George W. Homsher, Sm. Rep., 1882, p. 733. Mounds have been noted at the following points in this county: On Sec. 5, T. 9 N., R. 1 W. On Sees. 1, 2, 4, 5, 0, and 9, T. 9 N., R. 2 W. On Sees. 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, and 35, T. 10 K, R. 2 W. On Sees. 4, 9, and 13, T. 12 N., R. 13 E. There is a small earthen circle on Sec. 25, T. 10 N., R. 2 W. A singular stone structure on Sec. 23, T. 10 N., R. 2 W. A cemetery on Sec. 4, T. 9 N., R. 2 W. Workshops have been discovered on Sees. 3 and 4, T. 9 N., R. 2 W.; Sec. 20, T. 10 N., R. 2 W.; Sec 10, T. 12 K, R. 13 E. Traces of camp sites and old trails are observable on Sec. 31, T. 10 N., R. 1 W.; Sec. 33, T. 10 K, R. 2 W.; Sec. 10, T. 12 N., R. 13 E. Dr. George W. Homsher, Sm. Rep. 1882, pp. 730-749. Mounds in the vicinity of Harrison on the Whitewater. Noticed ami a somewhat full mention of contents given in Brown's Western Gazetteer, pp. 56-58.

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

Maps of Bural of Adena Hopewell Burial Mounds Earthworks at Chillicothe, Ohio, Paint Creek and the Great Miami River

 Maps of Adena Hopewell Earthworks at Chillicothe, Ohio, Paint Creek and the Great Miami River

Earthworks found around Chillicothe, Ohio.  None of the earthworks were preserved, with the few that did survive until the 20th century being destroyed by the Ohio Historical Society.  Map from Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, 1848.

Chillicothe, Ohio (Ross County) Mounds and Earthworks Map
      Exhibiting a section of twelve miles of the Scioto valley, with its ancient monuments, will serve to give some general conception of the number of these remains. The enclosures are here indicated by dark lines, the mounds by simple dots. Within the section represented, it will be observed that there are not less than ten groups of large works, accompanied by a great number of mounds, of various sizes. Within the enclosure designated by the letter E are embraced twenty-four mounds. The enclosures D, H, I, K, have each about two and a half miles of embankment; and Hand K enclose but little less than one hundred acres each. It is proper to observe, to prevent misconception, that there are few sections of country of equal extent which embrace so large a number of ancient works. The fertile valley of the Scioto river was a favorite resort of the ancient people, and was one of the seats of their densest population. 

Earthworks located west of Chilliocthe, Ohio along Pant Creek.  Spuce Hill and the Seip mound and earthwork can still be explored.

Valley of Paint Creek Earthworks Map

    Enlarged planPLATE III, No. 1, exhibits a section of six miles of the Valley of Paint Creek, a tributary of the Scioto river. The village of Bourneville is ten miles west of Chillicothe. Within this limit are embraced three works of extraordinary size, besides several smaller ones. The works, designated by the letters A and B, have each upwards of two miles of heavy embankment, and contain not far from one hundred acres. The stone work C has an area of one hundred and forty acres, enclosed within a wall upwards of two and a fourth miles longs 

The Great Miami Valley Earthwork Map

PLATE III, No. 2, presents a section of six miles of the Great Miami valley, included principally within the limits of Butler county, Ohio. Not less than seven enclosures, of considerable size, occur within these bounds. The work indicated by the letter G contains ninety-five acres. 

Not far from one hundred enclosures of various sizes, and five hundred mounds, are found in Ross county, Ohio. The number of tumuli in the State may be safely estimated at ten thousand, and the number of enclosures at one thousand or fifteen hundred. Many of them are small, but cannot be omitted in an enumeration. They are scarcely less numerous on the Kenhawas in Virginia, than on the Scioto and Miamis; and are abundant on the White river and Wabash, as also upon the Kentucky, Cumberland, Tennessee, and the numerous other tributaries of the Ohio and Mississippi.

Nor is their magnitude less a matter of remark than their great number. Lines of embankment, varying in height from five to thirty feet, and enclosing areas of from one to fifty acres, are common; while enclosures of one or two hundred acres area are far from infrequent. Occasional works are found enclosing as many as four hundred acres The magnitude of the area enclosed is not, however, always a correct index of the amount of labor expended in the erection of these works. A fortified hill in Highland county, Ohio, has one mile and five-eighths of heavy embankment; yet it encloses an area of only about forty acres. A similar work on the Little Miami river, in Warren county, Ohio, has upwards of four miles of embankment, yet encloses little more than one hundred acres. The group of works at the mouth of the Scioto river has an aggregate of at least twenty miles of embankment; yet the entire amount of land embraced within the walls does not probably much exceed two hundred acres.

The mounds are of all dimensions, from those of but a few feet in height and a few yards in diameter, to those which, like the celebrated structure at the mouth of Grave Creek in Virginia, rise to the height of seventy feet, and measure one thousand feet in circumference at the base. The great mound in the vicinity of Miamisburgh, Montgomery county, Ohio, is sixty-eight feet in perpendicular height, and eight hundred and fifty-two in circumference at the base, containing 311,353 cubic feet.

222 Burial Mound and Earthworks Sites in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Michigan. 
 SEE THE MOUNDS AND EARTHWORKS THAT THE OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY DOES NOT WANT YOU TO SEE!

Travel Guide to the Mounds State Park Sun Temple Complex in Anderson, Indiana

Indiana Travel Guide to the Mounds State Park Ancient Sun Temple Complex

Map of the North Earthwork at Mounds State Park which are the best preserved Sun Temples in the Ohio Valley. For more pictures and history of Mounds State Park Adena Hopewell Mound Builders in the Ohio Valley: One of the Best Prehistoric Sites to Visit in the Ohio Valley at Mounds State Park, Anderson, Indiana (adenahopewellmoundbuildersohiovalley.blogspot.com)

Early county map of Madison county, Indiana showing the locations of burial mounds in the county along with Mounds State Park.

History of Madison County, Indiana, 1880

     What has been written in the preceding chapter concerning the evidences of the habitation of this country by a race of people the date of whose existence extends back of the historic period affecting the American continent, cannot fail to develop in us more than a passing interest in the discussion of the important questions, when, by whom, and for what purpose were those works constructed, the remains of which are found within the borders of Madison County? A personal examination of these remains, in the light of science, and the investigations of archaeologists to that end, will open up trains of thought suggestive of the mean whereby the people of this age and of this locality may become better acquainted with the details of purpose indicated in the plans exhibited in the works themselves. These works, as we shall see embrace both enclosures and mounds, and are of a character entitling them to be ranked among the most important in the State. Hence, in consideration of the consequence attached to them by scientists abroad and at home, it is deemed not only proper, but necessary to appropriate, in this connection, the space requisite for a scientific description of them in detail. The following from the report of 1878, on the Geology and Archaeology of Indiana, will enable the reader to get a more accurate idea than can perhaps be otherwise obtained:

Southern henge group at Mounds State Park in Anderson Indiana.  The group was set up as an outdoor calendar, with the earthworks aligning to the central mound within the largest henge. The central burial mound marked the winter and summer solstices for 2,000 years before Indiana University destroyed the central mound; completely ignorant as to its importance as a solar marker. Note that there is a cave that is marked on this map the was believed to have gone from the river 50 feet below uo to the ceremonial center.  For a rare photograph of the cave entrance https://adenahopewellmoundbuildersohiovalley.blogspot.com/2019/06/rare-photograph-of-ceremonial-cave.html

      
     “By far the most unique and well-reserved earthworks in this State are on the banks of White River in Madison County, about three miles from Anderson, the county seat. See Plates E and F. The principal work in a group of eight show on Plate E, is a circular embankment with a deep ditch on the inside. The central area is 138 feet in diameter, and contains a mound in the center 4 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. There is a slight depression between the mound and the ditch. The gateway is 30 feet wide. Carriages may enter at the gateway and drive around the mound, as the ditch terminates on each side of the gateway. The ditch is 60 feet wide and 10-1/2 feet deep; the embankment is 63 feet wide at the base and 9 feet high, and the entire diameter of the circle is 384 feet.

Largest henge at Mounds State Park in Anderson.  A henge is described as a circular work with an exterior earthwork with an interior ditch that surrounds a central platform.  Henges generally have one gateway that is aligned to solar events.  This henge is the exception with the gateway aligned to the setting of the bright star Fomalhaut and the rising of the bright star Auriga.

“Fig. B is 238 feet south, 30 degrees east of the center of A; is 33 feet across has two gateways; the bank is 2-1/2 feet high, and has no ditch.

The small henge is visible in front of the trees in the background.  A big hole is in the center of the work that is presumed to have been left by university archaeologists. The large henge can also be seen in the background. There is no sign to designate this work.

“Fig. C is 710 feet south, 20 degrees west from the center of A; is 100 feet in diameter; has a bank which shows, in the woods, 2 feet high, and a gate 10 feet wide. The public road runs through this circle, and has obliterated the greater part.

Fig. D is 475 feet south, 39 degrees west from center of A; is 126 feet in diameter and has a bank 2-1/2 feet high, with a slight ditch on the inside; the central center mound was 50 feet in diameter and the entrance way 15 feet across.

Fig. E is 245 feet south, 84 degrees west from center of A; extreme length in feet; 36 feet across the widest part, 33 feet across the narrow end, and 27 feet across the constricted part of the figure; has a slight ditch on the inside of the embankment, which is from 0 to 2 feet high; no visible gateway or entrance.

Fig. H is 325 feet north, 70 degrees west of center of A; has an extreme length of 181 feet; is 122 feet across the wider end, 115 feet across the narrow end and 57 feet across the constricted part; the central area is 95 feet long, and has a varying width of from 10 to 30 feet; the wall is from 1 to 6 feet high with a ditch on the inside-now partially filled, but sill plainly visible, evidences of a small mound on the western end of the central area are still traceable.

This the vesica pisca Henge at Mounds Sate Park, that represents two circles overlapping at the center points. This shape is associated with Earth Mother worship, which is what these earthworks and site were dedicated to.

Drawing of the vesica pisca or fish vessel, this symbol was widely used in the ancient world.  You make recognize it as the Jesus fish, so frequently seen on cars. Half of the vesica is what church windows represent, which symbolizes the soul ascending to heaven to be reborn. It is this regeneration that was practiced by the mound builders at Mounds State Park as the sun aligned with this earthwork on Winter Solstice, that occurs December 22-25th each year.

Fig. I is 552 feet north, 70 degrees west from the center of the large circle A; is a plain circular embankment 36 feet in diameter, with a wall 2-1/2 feet high with no visible ditch or entrance gate; near the center is a slight mound 10 feet in diameter.

Fig K is 662 feet north, 71 degree west, of the center of A; it is a plain circle with a wall 2 feet high; no ditch or central mound.

This small earthwork is still visible at Mounds State Park, down the trail from the largest henge, where it sits in a wooded area.

     “These interesting works are located on the south side of White River, on a bluff seventy-five feet above the water. At the base of this bluff-which is composed of gravel, sand and clay-there are several bold running springs of chalybeate water. As this water possesses valuable hygienic properties, the analysis is here give.
Caves , springs and a serpent mound were at the bottom of the bluff, more on this below

      “On the same section of land, but a half-mile farther up the river, and on the same side of the stream, there is another cluster of earthworks that are of nearly equal interest; in fact, the principal work A, on plate K, is, in some respects, more remarkable than the large circle on plate E. The outline is of irregular shape-constricted on one end and at the sides; at the other end there is a gateway (D) 9 feet wide, protected by two small mounds (B) and (C), now about 4 feet high. The wall is 30 to 35 feet wide at the base, and about 4 feet high; ditch 8 feet wide. A central line through the longer way is north 67 degrees east and 296 feet long; it is 160 feet across at the widest and 150 feet across at the narrowest part--near the middle. With the exception of the two mounds at the gateway, which lie on the cultivated side of a section fence, and have been cut down by the plow, the remainder antiquity is in as good state of preservation as when deserted by its original occupants. Large trees are growing over it, and the underbrush is so thick that it was difficult to obtain accurate measurements; in fact, there is hardly a stick of timber amiss over the ruins.”

More evidence that Mounds State Park was dedicated to the Earth Mother is the northern henge that has a gateway that is aligned to the May (May =Ma_ Mother) 1st sunrise.

Photo shows the deep ditch that surrounds the central platform of this Henge dedicated to the Earth Mother at Mounds State Park.

     “The works presented on Plate F are near that last described. A is a plain circle, 150 feet in diameter; it lies in a cultivated field, and is being fat obliterated. B, on the same plate, is in a tolerable state of preservation; its longer diameter is 106 feet, and 48 feet across either end and is slightly constricted at the middle; wall about 2 feet high; ditch on the inside 15 feet wide; gateway (C) is 15 feet wide. The part on the east side of the section line lies in a woods, and is very well preserved. On the west side of the fence the land is cultivated, and the embankment is fast being destroyed. These works, with that on Plate K, are close to the bluff of the river, which is here also composed of glacial drift, and is 75 feet above the water.”

Mounds State Park's Lost Henges.  The Henge on the bottom was aligned to the winter solstice sunrise.  The other henge has a central platform that was 150 feet in diameter which is the most common dimension for the interior platform for henges that were 660 feet in circumference. This work may have not been completed.  

The Henge aligned to the winter solstice can still be seen at Mounds Park. How or why the DNR would run a path over a 2500 year old eathwork is a mystery.

Above the spring represented in Plate E, and below the upper edge of the bluff, there are visible evidences of what appears to have been a subterranean passage communicating with the circular works A. It is said to have been, at one time, explored for a distance of sixty feet, where a round chamber, twelve feet in diameter, was reached. Beyond this the passage was closed, or nearly so, rendering a more extended exploration impracticable.

The map shows the cave at the bottom of the bluff at Mounds State Park.  The entrance is still visible if you know where to look.

The entryway to the cave is still visible at the bottom of the bluff .  The cave represents the womb of the Earth Mother,  and compliments the winter solstice alignment of the earthworks that was symbolic of the "Birth of the Sun."

This is an old photograph of Mounds State Park at the bottom of the bluff, where there is a stone serpentine mound.  While most representations of the serpent is for the veneration of the sun, it was also used to symbolize the Earth Mother and the underworld spirits. The serpents location, which is adjacent to the cave entrance would be consistent with the underworld.
At the water's edge are several natural springs that are high in iron oxides that have dyed the adjoining rock a deep red color.  This red oxide also known as red ochre was commonly used by the mound builders in their burials and represented "rebirth" in the afterlife and was symbolic of the female menses.

        Between Ohio Avenue and the “Bee Line” Railroad, and west of the junction, in the city of Anderson, another mound of considerable consequence was situated in size and form, it corresponds with that marked D, in Plate E, to which reference has already been made, having also an enclosure not dissimilar to that one. A few years since, an excavation was made while digging a cellar, upon which a building was subsequently erected. In making this excavation, a quantity of clay, pink colored, having the appearance of being burned, was discovered, together with some ashes, indicating unquestionably, the presence of fire for sacrificial or other purposes. Beside these evidences, no other peculiarities were discovered.

Classification

Taking into consideration the opinions expressed by scientists, whose experience in the investigation of this interesting field entitles them to be recognized as authority upon this subject, the classification of the works found in this county would not seem to be a difficult task, notwithstanding the variety of them. Those which enter into the discussion, so far as Madison County is concerned, belong to the two great structural divisions of enclosures and mounds only. Of the first division, there are here no more than four varieties of form, excepting, perhaps, the single model indicated by the form marked B, in Plate E, and may be designated as the perfect circle, the oval with side constrictions, another with side and end constrictions, the fourth being an ellipsis with side constrictions. These several varieties of outline, however, being only incidental, do not enter into the purposes of this article. As to the second division, the mounds, without reference to form, must be considered in their relation to the enclosures within which they are found.

Deductions

       The location, planning and construction of the works so numerously found in this county carry with them indubitable evidences of consummate engineering skill, scarcely equaled and rarely excelled in similar departments by the projective wisdom of the nineteenth century. Everywhere an accuracy of detail and proportion is discernible that reflects credit upon the designer, which verbal explanation cannot efface. Now, the purposes of the projectors can only be considered in the light of the works themselves and the situations occupied by them, individually and relatively--knowing nothing of their habits and inclinations, beyond what is discoverable in the remains not yet destroyed by the ravages of time.

      The principal of these works, designated by Fig. A, Plate E, occupies a position on the bluff seventy-five feet above the water, at medium stage, in White River, and no doubt was the most formidable and important, relatively considered, to the occupants of the apparently subordinate works adjacent. This structure, as appears by the description given, circumscribes an area of about two acres and sixty-five hundredths, inside the outer boundary of the works.

      In determining the use to which this principal work [Fig. A, Plate E] was applied, certain rules of deduction are necessary, such as have been established by the common acceptation of practical archaeologists. Enclosures, generally, are classified as defensive or sacred. A careful examination of the works of defense develops the fact “that they are adapted in every case to the natural features of well-chosen hills, and their avenues guarded with consummate skill.”  “On the other hand, the sacred enclosures are situated on the level river-bottoms, and seldom occur upon the table-lands, or where the surface is broken. Some of the reasons for ascribing a portion of the enclosures to a religious or superstitious origin are thus given: The small dimensions of most of the circles; the occurrence of the ditch interior to the embankment; the occurrence of altars within the enclosures, and the fact that many of the enclosures are commanded by adjacent heights. The works are generally regular in their structure, and principally found in groups. The circular works are generally small, having nearly a uniform diameter of from two hundred and fifth to three hundred feet, and the larger ones reaching more than a mile in circumference. They are accompanied by a gateway usually effacing toward the east.” In the vicinity of this class of works, numerous small ones, circular in form and varying in diameter from thirty to fifty feet, with light embankments and frequently without gateways.

     Applying this rule, then, to the enclosure referred to, especially, the following resemblances are comparatively well established. The dimensions are not large and are circular; the ditch is interior to the principal embankment; the probable altar on the mound in the center; it is regular in construction, and is in the midst of a group. Again, the diameter is less than four hundred feet, and has a gateway which faces to the southward, in the rear. The works in the vicinity are quite numerous, have light embankments, are generally small circles, and many of them without gateways. With these coincidences, then, it is fair to presume that this particular structure was a sacred, enclosure, certainly not a defensive one, but may have been a signal station, connecting with the works standing about a half-mile to the northward. Another fact, noticeable in this connection, tending to establish the sacred character of the enclosure and its probable use as the site of a temple of worship, is the near location of two smaller works to the westward, one of them connected with it, both, no doubt, the abode of the priests in charge.

     Some of the mounds found in these sacred enclosures have been recognized as the site of sacrificial altars, and again, as the foundation of temples of worship. In this instance, however, it might, with equal plausibility, be supposed to have been used for both purposes together.

     To determine the classification and use of the enclosures represented by Figs. A and B on Plate F, and Fig. A on Plate K, by any of the rules of designation at hand, would be a much more difficult task; but it may be safely assumed that they were never appropriated to the uses for which those before described were constructed. There can be little doubt, however, that the larger enclosure, represented on Plate K, was constructed as a military stronghold for the double purpose of protection and of defense against the assaults of a besieging army.

“Mounds Park Legend Says Tunnel Once Led Back into River Bluff”, Source Unknown

     Legend says that once there was an underground passage at Mounds state park leading from the bluff along White River back toward and possibly under the mounds themselves. Whether there was such a passage, whether it had anything to do with the mounds if it existed, are questions that no one can answer. No one actually knows much about the prehistoric mounds themselves and, most naturally, no one knows much about the supposed passageway.

The mounds themselves are made up of a series of earthworks, but one of them, a perfect circle with ah ill, rise, platform, or alter in the center, is much larger than the others. If you should go straight north from this mound fifty yards, you would come to a bluff that is some sixty feet above White River. At the base of this bluff is the place where the legendary passage opened out on the river.

     Some stories say that in days long gone there was a passage still open into the bluff, and that is ran back about twenty yards and ended in a small, round room. As late as the beginning of the present century it is said, there was an apparent passageway that led back ten yards, and the boys actually explored this part of the tunnel. It is also said that the flood of 1913 caused the passage to collapse near the bluff, and men assert that if a few years and one big flood could have destroyed the mouth of the tunnel, centuries of time could have filled up the upper parts f it with leaves, rocks and soil so that it would no longer be apparent to even a careful observer at the surface. At any rate, there is more than a faint suspicion that the passage way did exist, and that it led from somewhere at or near the mounds to the river. But no one knows definitely that there was such a tunnel and no one knows its use if it existed.

     Whether the tunnel was used merely as an avenue for reaching the water, or had some other use connected with mysterious ceremonies and not with commonplace utility, no one knows and one guess seems about as good as another. One fact remains: The state is saving the mounds and their environs in all their mystery until more can be learned about them, if anyone can find the means of learning the facts.

Indiana Geology and Natural History, Fourteenth Report, 1884

    A mound of an elliptical shape, eighty feet long and fifth feet wide, was examined in section 5, township 8, range 7. It is in a cultivated field, and is, at present, about six feet high, but is being rapidly reduced by cultivation. Stone axes and flint arrow points are frequently found in this vicinity. No excavation of the mound has been made.

Fall Creek Township, Early History of Madison County, Indiana, 1949

     Section 6, Township 17, North, Range 7 East. There is little we can say about the Indians living in this section. The numerous types of stones found in this and nearby location mean that this was more than just a hunting ground. Some thirty years ago a mound down in the southwest corner of No. 14 was opened for gravel. Human skeletons were uncovered while the description of their burial does not correspond to other known Indian burials in the township, it is generally considered that they were Indian remains. Just recently I was at this location and I found fragments of skull bones. When we get into the next row of sections to the north, we will find several burial grounds running almost in a line from east to west.

     Section1, Township 17, Range 7 East. As for the other Indian history of this section, it is much the same as we have found before. Numerous arrowheads, a few axes and hammers and charm stones have been found but no burial grounds that I know of. Someone has told of some small mounds in No. 5 but an evidence of such has been leveled off by cultivation.

     Section 1, Township 17 Range 7 East. No. 9 is a sort of sugar loaf mound. In early settler days this was surrounded by swamps and low marshy ground and it is improbable that any trail or road passed near this location. Several years ago Cash Keller excavated part of this mound for gravel and in near the center he uncovered three human skeletons. Two were of matured persons and the other was of a child.  The manner of their burial indicated that they may have been white people as they were laid out in fan shape with their feet close together. All known Indian burials in this community are in a sitting position, but whether white or Indian time has erased all trace except that found in their graves.

Discover Why the Earthworks Were Constructed at Mounds State Park