Kamp Mound Site

Kamp Mound Site is a prehistoric earthwork complex with seven mounds positioned along the Illinois River north of Kampsville. The mounds and associated village settlement occupy a large area near Illinois Route 100 and contain layers of soil revealing occupation spans of several centuries.

Village habitation began around 450 AD and continued to 700 AD, while the mounds themselves were built earlier by the Havana Hopewell culture between 100 BC and 450 AD. This timeline reveals how different groups used and modified this location over several centuries.

The site reveals evidence of ceremonial practices and burial rituals that show how early inhabitants honored their dead and gathered as a community. Artifacts found here suggest this place held special meaning for people across a wider region.

The site is a protected location for archaeological study, allowing visitors to see different settlement phases on the landscape. Plan your visit during dry weather when trails and mound approaches are easiest to navigate safely.

Excavations have uncovered shell fragments and animal bones that reveal what foods early inhabitants ate and how they obtained them. These remains also hint at trade connections, since some materials came from distant sources.

Location: Calhoun County

GPS coordinates: 39.33220,-90.62080

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:45