Naples Mound 8, Archaeological site and National Historic Place in Pike County, Illinois, US
Naples Mound 8 is an archaeological site and protected historic landmark in Pike County, Illinois. The mound covers less than one acre on a bluff in the lower Illinois Valley and remains one of the largest surviving burial mounds in this region.
The mound was built roughly 2000 years ago as a burial place for the Havana Hopewell people. Its historical value was recognized when scholars began documenting the site in the 1800s, leading to its formal protection.
This mound served as a burial ground where an ancient people laid their dead to rest alongside valued objects like carved pipes and stone tools. The careful placement of these items shows how important ritual and the afterlife were to this community.
The site sits on a bluff and is accessible on foot, though it offers no on-site facilities or guides. Plan a daytime visit and check access details ahead of time, as the location may have limited visiting hours or restrictions.
Human remains discovered beneath the mound date back to the 1st century, making this one of the oldest burial sites in the region. The long use of this location as a burial ground suggests it held deep significance for many generations.
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