Burchenal Mound facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Burchenal Mound
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View from the south
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | West of benchmark 659 above Mill Creek |
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| Nearest city | Woodlawn, Ohio |
| Area | 38 acres (15 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001437 |
| Added to NRHP | May 29, 1975 |
The Burchenal Mound is an ancient Native American mound, also known as a tumulus, located in the southwestern part of Ohio. It's like a big, old dirt hill built by people long ago.
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What is the Burchenal Mound?
This special mound is found in the village of Woodlawn. It sits on top of a unique esker, which is a long, winding ridge made of sand and gravel. This means the mound is high above the land around it.
The Burchenal Mound is about 8 feet (2.4 m) (2.4 meters) tall. It is also about 75 feet (23 m) (23 meters) wide, which is roughly the length of two school buses! It has a nearly perfect circular shape. The mound overlooks the West Fork of Mill Creek. It used to be part of a farm owned by the Burchenal family.
Who Built the Mound?
Scientists believe the mound was built by early Native American groups. These groups are often called the Adena or Hopewell peoples. They lived in Ohio many centuries ago.
These ancient people often built mounds for important reasons. They would bury their dead inside them. They also placed special items, called grave goods, with the burials. These items might include tools, pottery, or jewelry.
What Did We Learn From It?
A small test dig was done at the Burchenal Mound in 1850. An excavation is when archaeologists carefully dig into the ground to find old objects. However, the results of this early dig were never shared. So, we don't know for sure which specific group built the mound.
Even though no more big digs have happened since 1850, scientists have done soil tests. These tests show that the mound is mostly made of sand.
Why is it Important?
In 1975, the Burchenal Mound was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history or archaeology. The mound was added because it has great potential for future archaeological discoveries. It helps us learn more about the ancient people who lived in Ohio.
