Mills Woods Mound facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Mills Woods Mound
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Hudson Park, corner of Hudson and Lakeland, Madison, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| MPS | Late Woodland Stage in Archeological Region 8 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000667 |
| Added to NRHP | June 7, 1991 |
The Mills Woods Mound, also called the Hudson Park Mound, is a special Native American mound located in Hudson Park in Madison, Wisconsin. It's shaped like an animal with a long tail, but no one is quite sure what animal it's supposed to be!
This mound was once part of a much larger group called the Mills Woods Mound Group. That group had about thirty mounds of different shapes. Sadly, most of the other mounds were destroyed when buildings were constructed.
Contents
What is the Mills Woods Mound?
The Mills Woods Mound is an effigy mound. This means it's a mound of earth built in the shape of an animal, person, or symbol. This particular mound is known for its long tail, making its exact animal shape a bit of a mystery.
Who Built the Mounds?
The Mills Woods Mound and the larger group it belonged to were built by a group known as the Mound Builders. These ancient people lived during the Late Woodland period, which was roughly between the years 800 and 1100 A.D. They used these mounds for important purposes, like burying their dead and for special ceremonies.
Why is This Mound Important?
The Mills Woods Mound is very special because it's one of the few remaining effigy mounds in Dane County. Long ago, there were 289 of these unique mounds in the county, but now fewer than 60 are left. This mound helps us learn about the ancient civilizations of the Late Woodland period. It holds important clues for archaeologists studying the past.
Protecting the Mound
Because of its historical and archaeological value, the Mills Woods Mound was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 7, 1991. This listing helps protect the mound and recognize its importance to history.
