Mystery of the Great Serpent Mound, a 1,348-Foot Prehistoric Puzzle in Ohio

This impressive earthwork has fascinated archaeologists, historians, and visitors for centuries. But who built it, when, and why?

The Great Serpent Mound is a prehistoric effigy mound situated in Peebles, Ohio, measuring 1,348 feet (411 meters) in length and standing at a height of three feet. It is shaped like a giant snake with a curled tail and an open mouth that seems to be swallowing an oval object. Some people think the oval represents an egg, a sun, or a frog.

The snake’s head aligns with the summer solstice sunset, while its tail points to the winter solstice sunrise. The mound also matches the constellation Draco, with the star Thuban marking the first curve of the snake’s body.

The mound is located on a high plateau overlooking the Ohio Brush Creek, on the site of an ancient meteor impact crater. It is made of yellowish clay and ash, reinforced by rocks and soil. It has no graves or artifacts inside it, which makes it hard to determine its exact age and purpose.

There are two main theories about who built the Great Serpent Mound and when. One theory is that it was built by the Adena culture, an early Woodland people who lived in the Ohio Valley from 500 B.C. to 200 A.D. They are known for building conical burial mounds and circular earthworks. The other theory is that it was built by the Fort Ancient culture, a late prehistoric people who lived in the same region from 1000 to 1650 A.D. They are known for building complex villages and ceremonial centers.

The first scientific excavation of the mound was done by Frederic Ward Putnam, a Harvard archaeologist, in the late 19th century. He and others found charcoal samples that he dated to around 300 B.C., which supported the Adena theory. However, later radiocarbon dating of other charcoal samples found near the mound suggested a date of around 1070 A.D., which supported the Fort Ancient theory.

The debate is still ongoing, as some scholars argue that the mound may have been built by one culture and modified by another, or that different dating methods may yield different results. The purpose of the mound is also unclear, as it may have had religious, astronomical, or ceremonial significance, or a combination of these.

The creation of the mound is believed by many archaeologists to have been influenced by astronomical events. The primary theory suggests that the construction may have been prompted by the light from a supernova, particularly the one creating the Crab Nebula in 1054 CE. The supernova’s light, visible for two weeks, could be seen even in broad daylight. Another theory proposes that the appearance of Halley’s Comet in 1066 CE influenced the mound’s shape, although the straight tail of the comet does not resemble the curves of the Serpent Mound.

Others suggested that the Serpent Mound could represent a Dhegihan Siouan origin tale featuring the Great Serpent “Toothy Mouth,” the ruler of the Beneath World, responsible for impregnating the First Woman.

The Great Serpent Mound is a National Historic Landmark and a state park. It is maintained by the Ohio History Connection, a nonprofit organization that preserves historical sites in Ohio. It is open to visitors who can walk along the mound and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape. It is also a place of wonder and mystery, where one can marvel at the ingenuity and creativity of the ancient Native Americans who left behind this remarkable monument.

Sources: 1, 2, 3