Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Ancient Civilizations

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 4, 2023

1. Ancient Civilizations Marker, Side One

Inscription. Native tribes settled in Northern Kentucky over 12,000 years ago. Banklick Creek and nearby hills were home to deer, bears, and other animals for hunting. The people gathered wild plants & lived in family groups. By the 12th century, tribes lived in small villages & grew maize & squash. Many sites have been discovered & researched in NKY.

In 1925, UK researchers located and studied a burial mound and campsite near here. The mound, 15 ft. in diameter & 4 ft. high, held a triple-walled stone grave in the center with several burials surrounding, likely from the Ft. Ancient people. Pioneer Park was later developed on the site & opened in 1976.
Sponsored by Kenton County Historical Society

Erected 2021 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2635.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 39° 0.28′ N, 84° 32.243′ W. Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. Marker can be reached from

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

Madison Pike north of Mary Laidley Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Pioneer Park. It is in the parking lot between Francisco Cordero Field and the picnic pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3952 Madison Pike, Ft Mitchell KY 41017, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 3-L (LLL) Highway (approx. one mile away); Confederate Financier / Confederate Benefactor (approx. 2.9 miles away); Beechwood Historic District (approx. 2.9 miles away); Fort Wright (approx. 3.3 miles away); Latonia Race Track (approx. 3.4 miles away); Timberlake (approx. 3.4 miles away); Erlanger Depot (approx. 3.4 miles away); Erlanger Depot / Erlanger Proper Subdivision (approx. 3.4 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Ancient Civilizations. The earliest documented groups of people living and shaping the valleys of what would become Kenton County occurred during the Archaic period, (8,000 BC-1,000 BC). (Amanda L. Higgins, ExploreKYHistory) (Submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The Fort Ancient Mound Builders of Northern Kentucky. One of the many cultural groups that had a prehistoric presence in the Ohio Valley region was the Fort Ancient, believed to be an offshoot of the widespread Mississippian culture that dominated

Ancient Civilizations Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 4, 2023

2. Ancient Civilizations Marker, Side Two

the Midwest and Southeast United States. (Kenton County Public Library, posted June 4, 2021) (Submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Ancient Civilizations Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 4, 2023

3. Ancient Civilizations Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.