Washington Township near Morrow in Warren County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Fort Ancient Dwelling
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 6, 2009
1. Fort Ancient Dwelling Marker
The Fort Ancient people who occupied this area between about AD900 and AD1600 lived in larger communities than the Hopewell people did. Their villages of 200 to 500 people were truly agricultural; they cultivated beans, corn, squash, and tobacco. This sort of agriculture was labor intensive. The Fort Ancient people supplemented their diet with wild game and wild plant foods. In this way they were able to support large villages. When resources in an area dwindled and the soil wore out, they moved to another location.
Some Fort Ancient villages may have been surrounded by a stockade. By AD900 populations had grown so much that in times of crop failure groups expanded their hunting territories, increasing the chance of hostilities with neighboring groups. Conflicts became widespread at times, but probably consisted of ambushes and small skirmishes rather than attacks on villages.
Erected by The Ohio Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Forts and Castles • Man-Made Features • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 39° 23.973′ N, 84° 5.85′ W. Marker is near Morrow, Ohio, in Warren County
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Myth of the Mound Builders (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ancient Prehistoric Indian Earthworks (within shouting distance of this marker); Hilltop Enclosure (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); North Overlook (about 300 feet away); Fort Ancient Earthworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Gateway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Earthworks Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Changes at Fort Ancient (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morrow.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Ancient Earthworks. Ohio History Central website entry (Submitted on January 19, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Fort Ancient State Memorial. Ohio State Parks website entry (Submitted on July 24, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 6, 2009
2. Fort Ancient Dwelling Marker Detail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 6, 2009
3. Fort Ancient Dwelling Marker
Looking WSW, with Little Miami River in gorge beyond treeline. Road turnaround loop at far right.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 6, 2009
4. Fort Ancient Park Access Road Turnaround
Path leads to South Fort overlook of Little Miami River.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., December 6, 2009
5. Fort Ancient Dwelling Marker
Looking east toward main picnic shelter area.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 19, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
