Raleigh Mound facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Raleigh Mound
|
|
Streetside view
|
|
 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Mound St., Fredericktown, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001445 |
| Added to NRHP | October 14, 1975 |
The Raleigh Mound is an ancient structure built by Native Americans in Fredericktown, Ohio, United States. It was created thousands of years ago. Today, it is a very important archaeological site. This means it helps us learn about people who lived long ago.
Contents
What is the Raleigh Mound?
The Raleigh Mound is a large pile of earth. It was carefully built by hand by early Native American groups. These groups are often called "Mound Builders." They created many mounds across North America. Mounds like Raleigh were used for burials or special ceremonies. They are like giant monuments from the past.
A Tale of Two Names: Raleigh or Rowley?
The mound's first name was "Rowley Mound." It was named after Mr. Rowley, who owned the land. Over time, the spelling changed. You might see it called "Raleigh" or "Rowley." Even government groups have used both names. The National Park Service calls it "Raleigh." But they also know "Rowley" is another way to spell it.
Digging into the Past: What We Found
The Raleigh Mound is about 20 feet (6.1 m) tall. That's like a two-story building! Its width is around 80 feet (24 m) to 90 feet (27 m). It's hard to know the exact size. This is because the mound was built on a small hill. Also, thousands of years of weather have changed its shape.
Long ago, people dug into the mound. This is called an excavation. During this dig, they found a special item. It was a type of gorget called an "expanded-center bar." A gorget is a piece of jewelry worn around the neck. This type of gorget is special. It tells us the mound was built by the Adena culture.
The Adena people were very active near Fredericktown. Another Adena site is close by. It's called the Stackhouse Mound and Works. It is less than 1 mile (1.6 km) away. This shows that the Adena people lived and worked a lot in this area.
Why is Raleigh Mound Important?
In 1975, the Raleigh Mound was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important places in American history. The mound was added because of its archaeological value. It helps us understand ancient cultures.
Its connection to the Stackhouse site is also key. The Stackhouse site has larger earthworks and a village. Studying both sites together helps archaeologists. They can learn a lot about the Adena people. This includes how they lived, what they believed, and how they built things.
