The Great Serpent Mound, located in Peebles, Ohio, stands as a preeminent example of prehistoric effigy mounds in North America. This effigy mound, extending 1,348 feet in length and reaching heights of up to three feet, is situated on the Serpent Mound crater plateau, overlooking the Ohio Brush Creek in Adams County, Ohio. Recognized as the largest serpent effigy globally, the mound’s construction and purpose have intrigued researchers and historians for centuries.
Ancient Civilizations
All Ancient Civilizations, Cultures and People
Rock Eagle
The Rock Eagle Effigy Mound, located in Putnam County, Georgia, represents one of the most intriguing and enigmatic prehistoric archaeological sites in the United States. Estimated to have been constructed between 1000 BC and AD 1000, this monumental earthwork stands as a testament to the ingenuity and spiritual depth of the early inhabitants of Middle Georgia. Despite extensive scholarly research, the precise cultural significance and the identity of its creators remain subjects of speculation and debate.
Zona arqueológica de Paxil (Misantla)
The Zona Arqueológica de Paxil, located in the vicinity of Misantla, Veracruz, Mexico, stands as a significant testament to the Totonac civilization that flourished between 450 and 1500 A.D. during the Postclassic period. Despite its historical significance, the original Totonac name of this site has been largely forgotten, and it is now commonly referred to as Morelos in the Misantla region. Interestingly, the site is mentioned in the ancient Mayan text, the Popol Vuh, as a mythical place from which all types of corn originate, highlighting its cultural importance in Mesoamerican mythology.
Honanki
The Honanki Heritage Site, situated within the Coconino National Forest approximately 15 miles west of Sedona, Arizona, stands as a significant archaeological and historical landmark. This site, along with the nearby Palatki Heritage Site, offers invaluable insights into the lives of the Sinagua people, ancestors of the Hopi, who inhabited the area from around 1100 to 1300 AD.
Elden Pueblo
Elden Pueblo, known in Hopi as Pasiwvi, represents a significant archaeological site located at the base of Mount Elden near Flagstaff, Arizona. This ancient village, inhabited by the Sinagua people from AD 1070 to 1275, offers profound insights into prehistoric Native American life, particularly in terms of trade and social organization.
Palatki Heritage Site
The Palatki Heritage Site, located within the Coconino National Forest near Sedona, Arizona, stands as a significant archaeological and historical landmark. At coordinates approximately 34 55′ 4″N, 111 53′ 59″W, this site offers a glimpse into the lives of the Sinagua people, a group of the Ancestral Puebloans, who inhabited the area from 1100 to 1400 AD.