Briscoe Mounds, Archaeological site in Channahon, Illinois.
Briscoe Mounds is an archaeological site containing multiple earthen mounds that spread across roughly 40 acres along the northern edge of the Des Plaines River. The structures originated from ancient settlements and represent distinctive building practices of indigenous peoples in this region.
The site was systematically studied in the 1960s and revealed burials dating from between 1200 and 1500 AD. These findings helped archaeologists understand the burial customs and daily practices of Mississippian peoples in northern Illinois.
The mounds reveal how communities here valued ceremonial life and burial practices as central to their society. Walking among these earthworks, you can sense the importance these people placed on honoring their dead.
The site sits in a rural setting and is best explored on foot to see the mounds up close. Contacting the Illinois State Museum beforehand helps ensure the site is accessible and to learn about any available guided tours.
A field survey in the 1940s uncovered nine pottery vessels that offer clues about daily life and craftsmanship of ancient inhabitants. These objects reveal details about how people made their goods and connected with distant communities.
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