The Serpent at the Mound | Thinking about Mounds Series
What is Serpent Mound ? | Mainstream Views
Serpent Mound is a prehistoric effigy mound located in southern Ohio, USA. It is a large earthen structure shaped like a serpent, with a length of around 1,348 feet (411 meters) and an average width of around three feet. It is considered one of the largest serpent effigies in the world.
The mound was likely built by the Fort Ancient culture, who inhabited the region between 1000 and 1550 CE. However, the exact age and purpose of the serpent mound remains a mystery. Some experts believe it was built as a ceremonial or religious site, while others think it may have had astronomical significance. Some archaeologist believe that it may have been a representation of a specific animal or a symbol of a particular clan or tribe.
It is one of the biggest and most impressive earthwork in America, it's considered as one of the most studied archaeological sites in the United States. It's also one of the most visited ancient site in the United States, it's a National Historical Landmark and open to the public for visitation and study.
Earth mounds in North America were built by indigenous cultures, including the Adena, Hopewell, and Mississippian cultures. These cultures flourished between 1000 BCE and the 16th century CE, and constructed a variety of mounds for ceremonial, religious, and burial purposes. The mounds were built using a combination of earth and stones, and some were shaped into geometric forms such as circles and squares. The construction of these mounds required significant effort and planning, and they remain an important part of the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples of North America.
There are a variety of fringe theories about who built the earth mounds in North America. Some of these theories include:
Ancient astronaut theory: This theory claims that the earth mounds were built by ancient extraterrestrial visitors. Proponents of this theory argue that the mounds are too complex and precise to have been built by ancient humans, and that they must have been built with the help of advanced technology.
Lost civilization theory: This theory claims that the earth mounds were built by an advanced ancient civilization that has since disappeared. Proponents of this theory argue that the mounds are too sophisticated to have been built by the indigenous cultures of North America, and that they must have been built by a more advanced civilization that has since been lost to history.
Atlantean theory: This theory claims that the earth mounds were built by survivors of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis. Proponents of this theory argue that the mounds are evidence of the existence of Atlantis and that the people of Atlantis migrated to North America after their continent sank.
The ancient astronaut theory is a fringe idea that is not supported by mainstream scientists and archaeologists, However, it has been popularized in recent years by a number of individuals and groups who promote it as a credible theory. Some of the most notable proponents of this theory include:
The ancient astronaut theory is a fringe idea that is not supported by mainstream scientists and archaeologists, as there is no credible evidence to support it. However, it has been popularized in recent years by a number of individuals and groups who promote it as a credible theory. Some of the most notable proponents of this theory include:
Erich von Däniken: A Swiss author who wrote several books in the 1960s and 1970s, including "Chariots of the Gods," in which he argues that ancient human civilizations were visited by extraterrestrial beings and that many ancient architectural and engineering marvels were built with the help of advanced technology from these visitors.
Zecharia Sitchin: A Russian-American author who wrote several books, including "The 12th Planet," in which he argued that ancient Sumerian texts contain references to an advanced extraterrestrial civilization that visited Earth in the distant past and that helped ancient humans to build advanced structures such as the pyramids.
Giorgio Tsoukalos: A Swiss-Greek author and television personality who is the director of the Center for Ancient Astronaut Research and host of the TV show Ancient Aliens. He promotes the ancient astronaut theory and argues that ancient texts and legends from various cultures contain references to extraterrestrial contact.
Archaeological excavations have been conducted at Serpent Mound, but they have not revealed any significant finds inside the mound. Some excavations have revealed evidence of a fire pit and other features at the base of the serpent's head, which may indicate that the mound was used for ceremonial activities. But there is no evidence that the mound contain any burials or underground chamber.
Some of the most notable studies of Serpent Mound include:
Archaeological excavations in the late 19th century and early 20th century, which revealed evidence of a fire pit and other features at the base of the serpent's head
Radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples from the fire pit, which suggested that the mound was built around 1070 CE, give or take 150 years.
A study in the 1980s that used aerial photography to identify a number of previously unknown features at the site, including several smaller mounds and earthworks.
A study in the 1990s that used geophysical techniques to search for underground features, such as burials or chambers, but found no evidence of any such features.
A study in the 2000s that used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to create high-resolution topographic maps of the site, which revealed new details about the construction of the mound and its alignment with astronomical features.
TLDR:
The Serpent Mound is located in Adams County, Ohio, USA. The exact latitude and longitude coordinates of the site are:
Latitude: 38.944444444444445
Longitude: -83.61666666666667
It is located near the modern-day town of Peebles, Ohio, and it is situated on a plateau overlooking Brush Creek. It is approximately 1,348 feet long and more than 3 feet high. The site is open to visitors.
