Earthworks are structures such as mounds and ridges built from the earth. Interestingly, North America is home to numerous such sites, built by prehistoric indigenous people for burial, ceremonial, gathering, and effigy purposes. Let’s explore 10 incredible earthworks in North America. Keep track of which one you’d like to visit.
Serpent Mound (Ohio)
The Serpent Mound, located in Ohio, is one of the largest effigy mounds in the world. It stretches over 1,348 feet long within an ancient meteorite impact site and depicts a coiling snake with a mouth that researchers dispute depicts it eating an egg, a frog, or the sun. Interestingly, its mysterious builders positioned the head to align with the setting sun during the summer solstice, while the coils are believed to match the solstices and equinoxes. While some early theories attributed it to the Adena culture, current archaeological evidence suggests the Fort Ancient people constructed it.
Cahokia Mounds (Illinois)
Occupying about 5 square miles on the Mississippi floodplain, the Cahokia Mounds were the site of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico. About 70 mounds have been preserved, with Monks Mound, a flat-topped pyramid, the tallest structure at 10 stories high. Archaeologists believe that the Mississippian culture built houses and other structures, such as temples, on top of the mounds. Be prepared to gaze in awe at this earthwork’s sheer size.
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (Ohio)
Separate from the Serpent Mound, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks feature eight earthen structures located in southern Ohio. They consist of massive geometric shapes such as circles, squares, and octagons. Built by the Hopewell culture, the sites are believed to host rituals, ceremonies, trade, and social gatherings. Like other early civilizations, the structures align with celestial events. Tourists to the earthworks may expect to appreciate the architectural ingenuity of our early ancestors.
Hopewell Mound Group (Ohio)
Within the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks is the Hopewell Mound Group, specifically containing the largest Hopewell burial mound. The site features a massive parallelogram-shaped enclosure with a smaller square inside. Valuable artifacts that shed light on the early civilization were excavated. Materials such as mica, copper, and obsidian indicate a sophisticated trade network. When you visit Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, be sure to explore the entire grounds for the best experience.
Miamisburg Mound (Ohio)
About an hour and a half drive west of the Hopewell mounds, near the Miami River, the Miamisburg Mound is one of the largest conical burial mounds in North America. It stands 65 feet tall with a circumference of 800 feet. The structure is believed to have been built by the early Adena culture that once inhabited the area. Visitors to the mound can climb the stairs to the top and capture an incredible view of the Ohio River Valley.
Mounds State Park (Indiana)
The Adena-Hopewell cultures were likely quite busy, as evidenced by the extensive earthworks at Mounds State Park in Indiana. The park consists of 10 mounds, varying in size from a few inches to several feet. Park visitors can hike the trails and see these prehistoric earthen structures that are believed to have been used for ceremonies and to witness astronomical events such as solstices and equinoxes.
SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park (Ohio)
At SunWatch Indian Village, you can see what life was like for the Fort Ancient people who inhabited the area over 800 years ago. Remains of a settlement were discovered and then reconstructed. The village features dwellings and artifacts. Although the location doesn’t have any burial or ceremonial mounds, there are some nearby, such as the Serpent Mound and Miamisburg Mound. If you’re going to check out the mounds in Ohio, you need to visit SunWatch Indian Village for the full experience.
Effigy Mounds National Monument (Iowa)
Effigy Mounds National Monument is located along the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa. Four distinct areas feature over 300 mounds and 31 effigies. Built by prehistoric indigenous peoples, the mounds served as burial and ceremonial sites. The effigies were shaped like animals such as bears and birds. Visitors can enjoy the mounds and the surrounding natural landscape on the extensive hiking trails.
Watson Brake (Louisiana)
Further south, the Watson Brake is the oldest known mound complex in North America. Believed to have been built by hunter-gatherers of the Evans culture around 3,000 BCE, the complex features 11 mounds and ridges. The purpose of the earthworks remains a mystery, but researchers theorize they served similar purposes, such as ceremonial or gathering sites. Unfortunately, the site is on public and private land and is not accessible to the public.
Flint Ridge (Ohio)
Our last ancient Native American earthwork site is unique. Instead, the location features numerous quarry pits where early humans mined flint stone for tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. The resource was prized for its various colors, including blue, gray, red, and yellow. Tourists can visit the well-preserved sites. Now, which prehistoric earthworks interest you the most?
