Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Lake Mills in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Aztalan Mound Park

 
 
Aztalan Mound Park Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
1. Aztalan Mound Park Marker
Inscription. Site of the famous prehistoric Indian stockade-protected village known as Aztalan first described by N.F. Hyer in the Milwaukee Advertiser in January 1837. Described by Dr. Increase A. Lapham, in The Antiquities of Wisconsin in 1855. Explored by the Milwaukee Public Museum in 1919-21. Purchased by the citizens of Jefferson County in 1922, and presented to the Wisconsin Archeological Society.
 
Erected 1927 by the Wisconsin Archeological Society.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1837.
 
Location. 43° 4.131′ N, 88° 51.773′ W. Marker is near Lake Mills, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. Marker is on County Road Q, 0.3 miles south of County Road B, on the left when traveling south. The marker is adjacent to the parking lot at the entrance to the Aztalan State Park. A vehicle admission sticker is required just to park there. Theoretically, one could avoid the fee by parking on the highway and walking into the lot; aside from the safety issues, however, it is worth the price of admission to visit the rest of the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake Mills WI 53551, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
within walking distance of this marker. The Cahokia Connection (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Aztalan National Historic Landmark (a few steps from this marker); Site Map of the Prehistoric Village of Aztalan (a few steps from this marker); Aztalan (a few steps from this marker); Stone Tools (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Other Artifacts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prehistoric Pottery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leisure Activities (approx. 0.2 miles away).
 
Also see . . .
1. Aztalan State Park. (Submitted on September 6, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.)
2. The Antiquities of Wisconsin as Surveyed and Described by I. A. Lapham. (Submitted on July 19, 2018, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
 
Aztalan Mound Park Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
2. Aztalan Mound Park Marker
The Aztalan marker and the reconstructed Aztalan stockade are in the background.
Aztalan Mounds image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
3. Aztalan Mounds
Aztalan Mounds image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
4. Aztalan Mounds
Aztalan Mounds image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
5. Aztalan Mounds
Aztalan National Historic Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
6. Aztalan National Historic Landmark Marker
Related Aztalan Mound Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By William J. Toman, September 4, 2010
7. Related Aztalan Mound Marker

Conical Mound Precinct

When I.A Lapham surveyed the site in 1850, there were over 40 mounds in this area. Today only these few remain. When these mounds were excavated by archaeologists in the 1920's, they found no burials, which was unexpected. Instead they found a large post set in a pit in the center of most mounds. The post was surrounded by gravel and soil and the pit capped with a mixture of clay and gravel to steady the post in its foundation. When all the mounds were built, you would have seen a row of tall posts set about ten feet above ground surface.

A few of the mounds were reported to have burials excavated by locals in the early 1800's. One mound at the north end of the row, currently located behind the Historical Society's museum, contained the famous "Princess Burial".

There are several theories about the purpose of the large posts. One is that they were marker mounds that marked the site for travelers. Another is that they were used for astronomical observations or to announce events. Yet another theory is that the posts were raised as part of a harvest or "green corn" ceremony because of their location overlooking the agricultural fields.

Whatever their purpose, it is clear they were sacred and played an integral part of village ceremonial life. The mounds are still considered sacred by Native Americans today.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,388 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.   4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 5, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=35296

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 19, 2024