Ceremonial Places
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Archaeology is the science of decoding what ancient people left behind, The pattern of holes found in the ground here represents the decoding of one of the most distinctive traditions of the Ohio Hopewell, the construction and use of ceremonial buildings–places to honor the dead and the living. Mound City excavations of 19 of the 24 mounds reveal varying ceremonial building patterns.
The structure on this site was a bent-pole building, oblong or oval in shape, with straightened sides. Doorways were located on each end. The interior walls flanked the longest sides and supports in the middle suggest an elevated deck floor.
[Captions:]
Ceremonial leaders (above) conducted
many social and religious activities in the
buildings. During burial preparations they
cremated the remains here, The ashes
were covered in a small mound, either with
or without burial goods, depending on the
deceased's social or economic ranking.
Ceremonial buildings also accommodated the mourning.
Some archaeologists believe that feasts or food offerings
were presented here, Once the ceremonies were complete
the buildings were burned down or dismantled and then
mounded over.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
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Location. 39° 22.559′ N, 83° 0.233′ W. Marker is in Chillicothe, Ohio, in Ross County. Marker is on Ohio Route 104, 0.3 miles north of Moundsville Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16062 OH-104, Chillicothe OH 45601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Elliptical Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); Effigy Pipes (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mica Splendor (about 600 feet away); Mound 7 (about 600 feet away); A Sacred Purpose (about 700 feet away); Maygrass (about 700 feet away); Squash (about 700 feet away); Goosefoot (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chillicothe.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
