Williamson Mound Archeological District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Williamson Mound Archeological District
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View from the west
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| Location | East of U.S. Route 42 on the western edge of the Wetherington Golf and Country Club |
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| Nearest city | Maud, Ohio |
| Area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001334 |
| Added to NRHP | May 29, 1975 |
The Williamson Mound Archeological District is an exciting archaeological site located in southwestern Ohio. An archaeological site is a place where people in the past lived or worked, and where we can find clues about their lives. This special mound is found north of Maud in Butler County. Experts believe it was built by an ancient group of people known as the Hopewell culture.
What is the Williamson Mound?
The Williamson Mound is a large, raised area of earth. It was carefully built by hand a very long time ago. It sits on top of a ridge, which is like a small hill, overlooking a stream that sometimes dries up. Even though Butler County is becoming more modern with many buildings, this mound is in a quiet, rural area.
Who Built It? The Hopewell People
The Hopewell culture was a group of Native American people who lived in the eastern and midwestern parts of North America. They were around from about 200 BC to AD 500. The Hopewell people were known for building large earthworks, including mounds like this one. They used these mounds for burials and for special ceremonies.
Why is the Mound Important?
The Williamson Mound is very important because it is one of the best-preserved Hopewell mounds in its area. This means it has not been damaged much over time. Even though a small hole was dug into the top of the mound before 1972, most of it is still in excellent condition.
Because it is so well-preserved, the Williamson Mound can teach us a lot about the Hopewell people. Archaeologists, who are like history detectives, can study the mound to learn about how these ancient people lived, what they believed, and how they built things.
In 1975, the Williamson 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. Being on this list helps protect the mound so that future generations can also learn from it.