O'Fallon in St. Charles County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Ancient Earthen Burial Mounds of O'Fallon
City of O'Fallon, Missouri, founded in 1856
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 22, 2021
1. The Ancient Earthen Burial Mounds of O'Fallon Marker
When popular leaders died they were honored by burials in earthen mounds like the one within Dames Park. The mounds were similar in concept to the pyramids of Egypt, but constructed of soil rather than stone. People weren't forced to build these monuments but considered it an honor to help in the construction.
The mounds were located next to the village or at a highly visible location nearby, such as a bluff top. The mounds gave citizens a sense of pride, for they reflected the affluence of their communities, the success of their markets and the popularity of their leaders.
Burial mounds and "Casper the Ghost"
Popular religious items found 2,000 years ago were small pottery objects nicknamed "Casper the Ghost" figurines for their T-shaped, marshmallowy bodies, short arms, no legs, and heads with eyes represented by slits or lines. Archaeologists speculate that Casper the Ghost figurines may have represented the spirits of ancestors or images of gods.
[Caption:]
Cardinal Direction: South
To natives, the south was associated with warmth, the color white, peace, and happiness.
Erected by the City of O'Fallon, Missouri.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology
this page online
Location. 38° 49.54′ N, 90° 42.586′ W. Marker is in O'Fallon, Missouri, in St. Charles County. Marker is on Dames Park Drive, 0.8 miles south of State Highway P, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 387 Dames Park Dr, O Fallon MO 63366, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Ancient Cities and Earthen Mounds of O'Fallon (within shouting distance of this marker); Alien Designs or Native Handiwork? (within shouting distance of this marker); O'Fallon's 2,000-year-old Civilization (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); O'Fallon During Ancient Times (about 400 feet away); Omer J. Dames War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early O'Fallon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Zumwalt (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in O'Fallon.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 22, 2021
2. The Ancient Earthen Burial Mounds of O'Fallon Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 184 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
