Serpent Mound: Archaeological Wonder

Surrounded by dairy and tobacco farms in the idyllic hills of southern Ohio is an archaeological treasure. A snake effigy almost a quarter of a mile long averaging three feet high is found uncoiling in the midst of this Ohio Valley farm land. Serpent Mound is the largest and best preserved effigy mound in the world. Three burial mounds and the remnants of a village are also located in this lesser-known park.

Two of the burial mounds and the serpent effigy were credited to the Adena culture. This civilization existed around 800 BC. The third burial mound and the village were connected to the Fort Ancient culture, which flourished around 1000 -1500 AD. Recent excavations and radiocarbon dating, however, link the effigy mound to the more recent Fort Ancient culture.

Like most ancient archaeological sites, Serpent Mound has connections to the stars. The head of the snake is aligned with the summer solstice sunset. It is not known why the mound was built. Nor does anyone know what function the mound served for its builders. No grave sites or artifacts were found within the serpent effigy during excavations. The most popular theory is that the mound was used for religious purposes.

There is also debate on what the snake actually represents. Some claim it is a serpent with its mouth wide open, about to eat an egg or its prey. Others say it looks like the mythological horned snake popular in Native American cultures.

Serpent Mound and two of the burial mounds were first excavated in the late nineteenth century. Archaeologist Frederic Putnam of Harvard University led one of the first archaeological digs at the site. Putman is often referred to as the "Father of American Archaeology".

Putnam was so impressed with Serpent Mound that he became partial owner of the Historical Society of Ohio. The area around Serpent Mound became the first state park in the United States. Because of Putnam's efforts, Serpent Mound has been preserved so everyone can enjoy it.