Near Sinking Spring in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Who Built Serpent Mound?
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
1. Who Built Serpent Mound? Marker
The ancestors of the American Indians of the Eastern Woodlands built Serpent Mound, but archaeologists disagree about when they built it. Some argue that the Adena culture built the mound around 2,300 years ago. This is the same culture that built the large, conical burial mound located at the east end of the parking lot.
Others think the Fort Ancient culture built the Serpent at around 900 years ago. The Fort Ancient culture built the small burial mound located near the west end of the parking lot.
Serpent imagery became especially important during the Mississippian period, which is contemporary with the Fort Ancient culture in southern Ohio. This would support the idea that Serpent Mound was built by the Fort Ancient culture.
Future research may reveal the true age of Serpent Mound, but for now we just don't know for sure. What do you think?
This Mississippian stone palette is engraved with two serpent-like creatures with rattlesnake tails (overlayed in white). It was found in a mound in Mississippi.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 300 BCE.
Location. Marker
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Southern Ohio Hill Country. It was also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Astronomical Alignments at Serpent Mound? (here, next to this marker); a different marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
2. Who Built Serpent Mound? Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Astronomical Alignments At Serpent Mound (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Serpent Mound Impact Crater (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); A Missing Coil? (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Exploring Serpent Mound (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Serpent In American Indian Traditions (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Shawnee And The King Of The Serpents (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named What Is An Effigy Mound? (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Village Site (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 717 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
