Zaleski Mound Group facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ranger Station Mound
Markham Mound Zaleski Methodist Church Mound |
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Entrance to Zaleski State Forest (R.S.) Unspecified (M.) 114 Broadway St. (Z.M.C.) |
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| Nearest city | Zaleski, Ohio |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) (each) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001641 (R.S.) 74001640 (M.) 74001642 (Z.M.C.) |
| Added to NRHP | July 15, 1974 (R.S.) May 3, 1974 (M.) July 15, 1974 (Z.M.C.) |
The Zaleski Mound Group is a set of three ancient burial mounds located in Zaleski, Ohio. These mounds were built a very long time ago by a group of people called the Adena culture. They are important places for archaeologists to study the past.
Contents
Discover the Ranger Station Mound
The Ranger Station Mound is the biggest of the three Zaleski mounds. It is shaped like a cone and is found inside the Zaleski State Forest. You can find it in a community park right by the forest entrance.
This mound is covered with trees and looks much like it did long ago. It stands about 14.4 feet (4.4 meters) tall, making it the largest mound in the Zaleski Mound Group.
In the 1850s, some local people dug into the mound. They made a cool storage area, like a cold cellar, on its north side. While digging, they found a human skeleton, which was given to a local doctor.
Later, in 1959, the cold cellar was removed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. After the cellar was taken out, the mound was carefully put back into its original shape. Even with the digging that happened, the Ranger Station Mound is the best-preserved mound in the Zaleski Group.
Because of its size and location, this mound might hold more valuable ancient objects than the other two mounds.
Explore the Markham Mound
The Markham Mound is the second mound in the group. It is owned by a private person or family. Even though it is close to the other two mounds, there is no sign of an ancient village nearby.
Uncover the Methodist Church Mound
The Zaleski Methodist Church Mound is wide and low, shaped like an oval. It is about 60 feet (18 meters) long and 53 feet (16 meters) wide. It stands a little over 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall.
When settlers first arrived in the area, this mound might have been taller. There is evidence of a fence built across the top, which might have made it shorter over time.
This mound is located right behind the Zaleski United Methodist Church. It might be the most valuable of the six mounds that were originally part of the Zaleski Mound Group. Three of those six mounds have been destroyed over time. Both the Ranger Station Mound and the Markham Mound have been changed since settlers arrived.
However, the Zaleski Methodist Church Mound shows very little sign of damage. This means it likely still contains the special items that were buried inside it long ago. These items are called grave goods.
Why These Mounds Are Important
In 1974, all three mounds were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places in the United States. The Markham Mound was added on May 3, and the other two on July 15.
They were listed because they are important archaeological sites. They help us learn about the ancient Adena people who built them. The three mounds that were destroyed were not put on the list. This is because archaeological sites that have been greatly disturbed are not allowed on the Register.
The Register also includes other important places in Vinton County. These include another mound near Londonderry called the "Ratcliffe Mound" and a building in Zaleski called the Masonic Lodge No. 472.
^ a: When no mound abbreviation is given, Ranger Station is to be assumed.
