What do we know about the mound builders who lived in North America before it was settled by the Native Americans we know of today? Pretty much nothing. The mound builders remain a mystery to archaeologists today, and, with each passing year, their earth mounds continue to disappear into obscurity.
The first effigy mounds in Wisconsin were built around 300 AD and depict figures of animals and birds. It is estimated that there were anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 figure mounds covering the state of Wisconsin at one time, but only about 4,000 still survive.
When European settlers came to Wisconsin, the mounds were destroyed to make way for homes and farm fields. Numerous prehistoric artifacts were undoubtedly lost during this time.
Effigy Mounds of Wisconsin
Many people believe that the effigy mounds were burial grounds, but not all of the mounds contain bodies. While t he effigy mounds may have marked off hunting grounds for North America’s prehistoric people, the truth is that we are uncertain as to the true meaning behind the mounds.
Greenfield Man Mound
While the surviving effigy mounds portray animals, birds, and reptiles, there is only one mound in the shape of a human. At one time, there may have been hundreds of human shaped mounds in North America, but they have all been destroyed.
The only human shaped mound in the United States and Canada can be found at Man Mound Park in Wisconsin. It measures 214 feet in length and has only recently been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
While this effigy mound is protected for the moment, many other effigy across Wisconsin are in danger of being lost forever. Land developers and land owners consider the effigies a nuisance, and there has been talk of lessoning the protections surrounding these archaeological treasures.
The Destroyed Mounds of Detroit
It is almost unbelievable, but Detroit, Michigan was once covered in mounds. One of the biggest mounds recorded in the area was called “The Great Mound of the River Rouge.” This huge mound was roughly 200 feet long and 300 feet wide. It stood at a height of 20 feet, and was no doubt quite a sight to behold.
As Europeans began moving into Michigan, the Native Americans were crowded out. The ancient mounds of Detroit were dug up and looted. Inside the ancient mounds they found pottery, axes, arrow heads, and, of course, the old bones of the mound builders.
After the mounds were looted, Europeans flattened out the region for building homes and for farming. The mounds were in the way of progress, and the ancient artifacts were claimed by individuals and much was lost over time.
Treasure Hunter Paradise
During the 1800s and early 1900s, the race was on to find and dig up as many of these mounds as could be found. Private investors hired men to find the mounds and discover their contents. Occasionally, there were reports of riches being found in the mounds, such as diamonds and possibly gold. Strange objects were also reportedly found within the burial mounds. This only fueled the fire, and people began destroying the ancient mounds far faster than it took them to be built.
