Cleiman Mound and Village Site

Cleiman Mound and Village Site is an archaeological location with a burial mound and settlement remains along the Mississippi River. The area contains artifacts and structures spanning centuries of human occupation from different prehistoric periods.

Human settlement at this location spanned from 400 BC to 1300 AD, with different prehistoric cultures occupying the land across centuries. The mound itself was built during the Hopewellian period of the Middle Woodland era.

The mound shows how ancient peoples honored their dead and organized their communities through ritual practices. The site reveals social connections and beliefs that shaped daily life for the groups who lived here.

The site is located in a rural setting northeast of Gorham in Jackson County, away from major towns. Visitors should come prepared for outdoor conditions and wear sturdy footwear to explore the grounds.

This is the only known Hopewell mound in the Mississippi Valley region of Southern Illinois, making it rare in the area. The site was listed in the national register in 1977 and remains an important focus for research.

Location: Jackson County

GPS coordinates: 37.78670,-89.53470

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:46