Keiter Mound
Encyclopedia
The Keiter Mound is a Native American mound in the southwestern part of the U.S. state
of Ohio
. Located north of the city of Wilmington
, it sits on a hill above the stream bottom
of a small secondary creek. Due to its location, it is believed to be a work of Hopewellian peoples. Unlike many Hopewell sites, such as the Newark Earthworks
or Mound City
, the Keiter Mound is isolated: no other mounds and no large geometric earthworks are located nearby. As such, it is likely to have been created by small groups of transient hunters who camped in the valley below. This identification is based on the mound's location and comparison with similar mounds: as the mound has never been excavated, it likely holds the same grave goods
as it did when it was constructed thousands of years ago. For this reason, it is a significant archaeological site
: it is an unusually well preserved example of isolate Hopewell construction and might be able to yield important information about the Hopewell way of life. In recognition of its archaeological significance, the Keiter Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1975.
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 north of the city of Wilmington
Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...
, it sits on a hill above the stream bottom
Floodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
of a small secondary creek. Due to its location, it is believed to be a work of Hopewellian peoples. Unlike many Hopewell sites, such as the Newark Earthworks
Newark Earthworks
The Newark Earthworks in Newark and Heath, Ohio, consists of three sections of preserved earthworks: the Great Circle Earthworks, the Octagon Earthworks, and the Wright Earthworks. This complex contained the largest earthen enclosures in the world, being about 3,000 acres in extent. Today, the...
or Mound City
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, formerly known as Mound City Group National Monument, is a United States national historical park with earthworks and burial mounds from the Hopewell culture, indigenous peoples who flourished from about 200 BC to AD 500. The park is composed of five...
, the Keiter Mound is isolated: no other mounds and no large geometric earthworks are located nearby. As such, it is likely to have been created by small groups of transient hunters who camped in the valley below. This identification is based on the mound's location and comparison with similar mounds: as the mound has never been excavated, it likely holds the same grave goods
Grave goods
Grave goods, in archaeology and anthropology, are the items buried along with the body.They are usually personal possessions, supplies to smooth the deceased's journey into the afterlife or offerings to the gods. Grave goods are a type of votive deposit...
as it did when it was constructed thousands of years ago. For this reason, it is 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,...
: it is an unusually well preserved example of isolate Hopewell construction and might be able to yield important information about the Hopewell way of life. In recognition of its archaeological significance, the Keiter Mound was 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 1975.