Fortner Mounds
Encyclopedia
The Fortner Mounds are a pair of Native American mounds in the central part of the U.S. state
of Ohio
. Located northeast of the city of Pickerington
in Fairfield County
, they are two of several mounds in the Pickerington vicinity, but the only pair of mounds in the area. As such, they are of special interest to archaeologists
: some of the mound-building peoples of prehistoric North America lived in groups of two or three houses, which were often covered with piles of earth when the families would move to other places. Therefore, it is likely that these mounds cover groups of posthole
s, and buried bodies may also be located within them. From their shape, it is apparent that the mounds were constructed by people of the Adena culture
, who lived in central Ohio between approximately 500 BC and AD 400.
Because the Fortner Mounds are likely to cover both the remains of houses and of these houses' inhabitants, they compose a significant archaeological site
. In recognition of their archaeological value, the two mounds were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in mid-1974. They are one of five Fairfield County mound sites to be included on the Register, along with the Theodore B. Schaer Mound
near Canal Winchester
, the Tarlton Cross Mound near Tarlton
, the Coon Hunters Mound
near Carroll
, and the Old Maid's Orchard Mound
near Lithopolis
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Located northeast of the city of Pickerington
Pickerington, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,792 people, 3,468 households, and 2,687 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,317.4 people per square mile . There were 3,573 housing units at an average density of 480.7 per square mile...
in Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Ohio
Fairfield County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of 2010, the population was 146,156. Its county seat is Lancaster. Its name is a reference to the Fairfield area of the original Lancaster....
, they are two of several mounds in the Pickerington vicinity, but the only pair of mounds in the area. As such, they are of special interest to archaeologists
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
: some of the mound-building peoples of prehistoric North America lived in groups of two or three houses, which were often covered with piles of earth when the families would move to other places. Therefore, it is likely that these mounds cover groups of posthole
Posthole
In archaeology a posthole is a cut feature used to hold a surface timber or stone. They are usually much deeper than they are wide although truncation may not make this apparent....
s, and buried bodies may also be located within them. From their shape, it is apparent that the mounds were constructed by people of the Adena culture
Adena culture
The Adena culture was a Pre-Columbian Native American culture that existed from 1000 to 200 BC, in a time known as the early Woodland Period. The Adena culture refers to what were probably a number of related Native American societies sharing a burial complex and ceremonial system...
, who lived in central Ohio between approximately 500 BC and AD 400.
Because the Fortner Mounds are likely to cover both the remains of houses and of these houses' inhabitants, they compose a significant archaeological site
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
. In recognition of their archaeological value, the two mounds were listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in mid-1974. They are one of five Fairfield County mound sites to be included on the Register, along with the Theodore B. Schaer Mound
Theodore B. Schaer Mound
The Theodore B. Schaer Mound is a Native American mound in the central part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located southeast of the city of Canal Winchester in Fairfield County, it is a large mound; its height is , and it is in diameter. Today, the mound sits in woodland, being covered with brush...
near Canal Winchester
Canal Winchester, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,478 people, 1,664 households, and 1,264 families residing in the village. The 2004 census estimates that there are now 5,381 people residing in the village, and Canal Winchester may become a city within the next year or two. The population density was 702.9...
, the Tarlton Cross Mound near Tarlton
Tarlton, Ohio
Tarlton is a village in Fairfield and Pickaway counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 298 at the 2000 census.-History:This village was originally settled and called Newellstown in 1801, and was probably the first settlement in Pickaway County, Ohio...
, the Coon Hunters Mound
Coon Hunters Mound
The Coon Hunters Mound is a Native American mound in the central part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located near the village of Carroll, it sits on the grounds of the Central Ohio Coonhunters Association....
near Carroll
Carroll, Ohio
Carroll is a village in Fairfield County, Ohio in the United States of America. The population was 488 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Carroll is located at ....
, and the Old Maid's Orchard Mound
Old Maid's Orchard Mound
The Old Maid's Orchard Mound is a Native American mound in the central portion of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located near the village of Lithopolis in Fairfield County, the mound lies within the boundaries of Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, in northern Bloom Township....
near Lithopolis
Lithopolis, Ohio
Lithopolis is a village in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 600 at the 2000 census.- Geography :Lithopolis is located at ....
.