Orators Mound, Native American burial mound in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Orators Mound is an earthen mound located within Glen Helen Nature Preserve near Yellow Springs that holds remains and burial goods from precolonial times. The formation spans roughly 15 meters across and rises about 5 feet (1.6 meters) above the surrounding ground, making it easily visible to visitors walking through the preserve.
The mound was built by the Adena and Hopewell cultures, who lived in the region over many centuries. Archaeologists conducted excavations in the 1950s and 1970s to document the human remains and artifacts found at the site.
The mound served as a burial place for the Adena and Hopewell peoples, who left behind remains and objects that reflected their beliefs about death and the afterlife. Walking around the site, you can sense how important this location was to the communities who built it centuries ago.
The site is accessible through walking trails within Glen Helen Nature Preserve and can be visited at no cost. Spring through fall are the best seasons to visit, as the trails are well maintained and the mound is easiest to see in good weather.
During the 1840 presidential campaign, Henry Clay stood on the mound to give political speeches to crowds. This unusual use of an ancient Native American burial site as a campaign platform is how the location got its distinctive name.
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