Nowlin Mound facts for kids

Nowlin Mound is an ancient earth mound located in eastern Indiana, in Dearborn County. It was built long ago, before Europeans arrived in America. This mound is special because it was one of the first to be carefully dug up and studied in Indiana.

A team of archaeologists, led by Glenn A. Black, carefully recorded everything they found. People first looked at the site in the 1870s. But the first official dig started on June 23, 1934.

Digging in 1934

The archaeology team started by marking out the area. They dug a long trench, about 70 feet long. Inside, they found pieces of pottery and a special type of stone tool. They also found other old items.

The archaeologists dug several more trenches. These were 20 to 30 feet long. Each trench had straight, vertical sides. Next, they dug a 30 to 40-foot trench. This one led them to the East Tomb. It was lined with logs and held many artifacts. The team built a roof over this spot to protect it. Soon after, they found the Central Tomb. It was also lined with logs, but it had no artifacts inside.

Digging in 1935

The second year of digging began on June 17, 1935. This time, the team focused on the Central Tomb. They found another burial there.

A very long trench, 100 to 110 feet, led them to Tomb 4. This tomb had small pieces of human bone. Glenn Black was sad that the digging around it had caused some damage. Soon after, they found Tomb 5. This tomb also held human burials. They found pieces of tree bark and beads there too.

After digging another 110-foot trench, they found the West Log Tomb. It looked like twigs, sticks, and grass had been burned on its floor. They also found a seventh tomb. This one seemed to have been placed in Nowlin Mound after the main mound was finished.

What They Found

The team found many interesting items. These items fit into two groups. Some were placed carefully inside burials. Others were found by chance during the digging. Glenn Black wrote that most of the items, about 60%, were found in the first year.

The artifacts included:

• Antler tips
• Beads
• Beaver teeth
• Bone tools called awls
• Pieces of copper
• Different kinds of knives
• Limestone pieces
• Pottery
• Slate
• Bits of white clay

James B. Griffin reported that the pottery was made with crushed limestone. The pottery colors varied from red to brown to yellow.

Protecting the Past

The artifacts found at Nowlin Mound are now kept at the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology. This is a special place where old items are studied and stored.

Any human remains and burial items found will eventually be returned. They will go back to the Native American tribes that are officially recognized by the government. This is done following a law called the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. This law helps protect the history and culture of Native American people.

Learn More

• “Nowlin Mounds Archaeological Site.” A film by Glenn A. Black.