Serpent Mound State Memorial, Ancient ceremonial mound in Adams County, United States.
Serpent Mound State Memorial is a massive earthwork shaped like a serpent stretching more than 1,300 feet across a plateau overlooking Ohio Brush Creek. The structure was built up from earth and follows the natural landscape contours above the creek valley.
The mound was built around 1120 by the Fort Ancient culture, though archaeological evidence shows the earlier Adena people also lived in the area. The site has remained in its present form for many centuries and is now protected as a memorial.
This earthwork held deep spiritual meaning for the people who built it, possibly connected to watching the skies and seasonal cycles. Visitors today can sense how important such places were for the communities that created and maintained them.
An on-site museum displays exhibits about Native American cultures, archaeological discoveries, and regional history spanning nearly 3,000 years. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes for exploring the large outdoor area and prepare for weather conditions depending on the season.
Scientific measurements confirm this as the largest known surviving prehistoric effigy mound on Earth, extending over a quarter mile in total length. This remarkable scale makes it an extraordinary archaeological achievement from an era of limited tools and resources.
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