Oak Mounds

Oak Mounds are two earthen mounds located on elevated ground near the West Fork River in Harrison County. The larger structure measures 60 feet in diameter and 12 feet in height.

Excavations in 1969 revealed flint tools, pottery fragments, and human remains dating to approximately 100 BCE during the Early Woodland Period. The construction method points to the advanced knowledge of the builders from that era.

The burial mounds represent advanced engineering capabilities of early Native American societies who constructed these monuments to honor their deceased community members.

The site lies west of the Veterans Administration Hospital and is marked by interpretive signs providing information about the excavations. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ground is uneven.

Carbon dating analysis suggests these mounds may be nearly 1000 years older than typical Hopewell structures found in the region. This points to construction by an earlier cultural group still being studied today.

Location: West Virginia

GPS coordinates: 39.26330,-80.36560

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:40