Brushcreek Township near Sinking Spring in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

A Missing Coil?

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2018

1. A Missing Coil? Marker

Inscription.
Archaeologists from Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc. assisted by volunteers, followed up on the magnetometry survey by excavating a trench across a portion of the lost coll feature. The results suggested that part of the mound had once covered this location.

Dr. Jarrod Burks, from Ohio Valley Archaeology, Inc., conducted a magnetic gradient survey of Serpent Mound in 2012. This kind of survey reveals changes in the magnetic properties of soil that are a result of some kind of ground disturbance in the past. The most exciting result of the survey was the discovery of a large, U-shaped feature near the neck of the Serpent that appears to represent an ancient surface buried by an embankment that was later removed.

If this interpretation is correct, then at some time in the past, the original builders of Serpent Mound, or perhaps a later group, changed the design of Serpent Mound. Why they might have done this is a mystery.

Magnetometry Survey
Overview of magnetometer survey data from 2012 showing the Serpent and traces of what might have been a former portion of the Serpent erased in antiquity.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 2012.

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'background-color:yellow;'>Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 39° 1.49′ N, 83° 25.776′ W. Marker was near Sinking Spring, Ohio, in Adams County. It was in Brushcreek Township. It was on Ohio Route 73 0.9 miles west of Homer Chapel Road (County Road T-116), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3854 OH-73, Peebles OH 45660, United States of America.

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: Who Built Serpent Mound? (here, next to this marker); Astronomical Alignments at Serpent Mound? (a few steps from this marker); What Is An Effigy Mound? (within shouting distance of this marker); The Serpent Mound (within shouting distance of this marker); Exploring Serpent Mound - Frederic Ward Putnam (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome To 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sinking Spring.

Other markers no longer nearby. Who Built Serpent Mound? (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed);

Photographed by Craig Doda, November 18, 2018

2. A Missing Coil? Marker

Astronomical Alignments At Serpent Mound (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Serpent Mound Impact Crater (was within shouting distance of 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 about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); The Shawnee And The King Of The Serpents (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named What Is An Effigy Mound? (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Village Site (was about 300 feet away 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 826 times since then and 26 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.