Ohio Hanukkiah Mound facts for kids
The Ohio Hanukkiah Mound was a special earth mound. People thought it looked like a menorah (a candle holder) and an oil lamp. It was found near the Little Miami River in Milford, Ohio. Experts believe the Hopewell culture built this mound long ago.
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How the Mound Was Found
Early Records
The Ohio Hanukkiah Mound was first written about in 1803. A surveyor named William Lytle II drew it on one of his maps. He was working in Clermont County, Ohio, at the time.
More records of the mound appeared later. In 1811, Hugh Williamson mentioned it in his book. Then, in 1834, Maj. Isaac Roberdeau also wrote about it.
Where Is It Really?
At first, people thought the mound was in Milford, Ohio. But later, its true location was clarified. It is actually in Clermont County, Ohio.
The mound is not north of Williamsburg. Instead, it is found at the bottom of East Fork Lake. This lake is also in Clermont County, Ohio.
What the Mound Looked Like
The East Fork Earthwork
The Ohio Hanukkiah Mound is also known as the East Fork Earthwork. It was built by the Hopewell culture. This Native American group lived from about 100 BC to 500 AD.
The earthwork is located on the east fork of the Little Miami River. This area is in Clermont County, Ohio.
Unique Shapes
The "Hanukkiah" mound was described as having a special shape. It had a section with nine branches. This part looked like a menorah. An oil lamp shape surrounded this menorah-like section.
Each branch was about 66 feet apart. The entire base of the mound was very long, about 902 feet. Some experts also thought the site looked like a bird.
