Bratton Township near Peebles in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Astronomical Alignments At Serpent Mound
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
1. Astronomical Alignments At Serpent Mound Marker
The head of Serpent Mound is lined up to the point on the western horizon where the sun sets on the Summer Solstice the longest day of the year.
Some think the three main curves of the serpent's body point to the Summer Solstice sunrise, the Equinox sunrise and the Winter Solstice sunrise.
Others believe they are aligned to the Minimum Northern Moonrise, the point on the horizon where the moon rises at the mid-point in its cycle, and the Maximum Southern Moonrise.
Due to the short sight lines and the inability to define precise alignments for the U-shaped curves of the mound, it may not be possible to determine whether the builders of the Serpent really intended it to be aligned to either the sun or the moon.
Rhythms of the Cosmos
Many of the earthworks created by the ancestors of contemporary American Indians are aligned to points on the horizon marking key rise and set points for the sun and moon.
It may have been a way of linking these sacred sites to the rhythms of the cosmos or it may have allowed the sites to serve as calendars.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
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 also named Who Built Serpent Mound? (a few steps from this marker); Exploring Serpent Mound - Frederic Ward Putnam (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome To Serpent Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); What Is An Effigy Mound? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Serpent Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Serpent Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Village Site (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Peebles.
Other markers no longer nearby. Who Built Serpent Mound? (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Serpent Mound Impact Crater (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); A Missing Coil? (was a few
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2018
2. Astronomical Alignments At Serpent Mound Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7,394 times since then and 394 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.
