Aztalan in Jefferson County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Conical Mounds

Aztalan National Historic Landmark

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

1. Conical Mounds Marker

Inscription. Typically associated with burials, conical (circular shaped) mounds are the most common and earliest of Midwestern mound types, first occurring early in the Woodland Period (ca. 500 B.C. - A.D. 1350). However, several of the conical mounds located at the northwest corner of the park are not associated with burials. At least five of these mounds were built over former locations of large diameter posts, which were likely placed to commemorate important events.

The very northernmost mound in this group (located just north of the park, behind the privately-owned pioneer village and museum) did contain the burial of a young woman adorned with over 17,000 shell beads. It is not clear how or even if this individual was related to the Mississippian town of Aztalan, but she was clearly a person of high status.

Additional mounds, including a number of conical mounds, an enclosure, and an elongated linear mound, are found along and below a prominent ridge on the east side of the Crawfish River.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 500 BCE.

Location. 43° 3.897′ N,

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88° 51.597′ W. Marker is in Aztalan, Wisconsin, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from County Road Q. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: N6200 County Road Q, Jefferson WI 53549, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin and in Greater Madison.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: House Structures (within shouting distance of this marker); Platform Mounds (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Agriculture and Gathering (about 500 feet away); Appearance and Manner of Dress (about 600 feet away); Social Organization (about 600 feet away); Leisure Activities (about 600 feet away); Occupation and Abandonment (about 700 feet away); Prehistoric Pottery (about 700 feet

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

2. Conical Mounds Marker

away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Aztalan.

More about this marker. The marker is along the trail that runs throughout Aztalan State Park. The marker is along the eastern portion of the trail.

Princess Burial Mound image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devon Polzar, 2021

3. Princess Burial Mound

Aztalan Museum just north of Aztalan State Park

Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2021, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,575 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 8, 2021, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.