Theodore B. Schaer Mound
Encyclopedia
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 13 feet (4 m), and it is 60 feet (18.3 m) in diameter. Today, the mound sits in woodland, being covered with brush and trees. Since white settlement of the region, the mound has seen few changes: individuals hunting for Indian relics have damaged it slightly, but the most significant effects have been minor natural phenomena such as the diggings of groundhog
s.
Although the mound was surely constructed during the Woodland period
, the cultural affiliation
of its builders is unknown. Both the Hopewell and the Adena
cultures built burial mounds
like the Schaer Mound in central Ohio, but their works are typically distinguishable with the eye: the Hopewell preferred the valleys of the major rivers for their subconical mounds, while the Adena favored high ground near small watercourses for their conical mounds. Because it shares some characteristics of each culture's typical architecture, the Schaer Mound's builders cannot precisely be identified.
Despite the difficulty of naming those who built it, the Schaer Mound is a valuable archaeological site
. Because no excavation has ever been conducted there, its original contents are likely still to be interred within, and those mounds that combine Adena and Hopewell characteristics have often been found to yield the most significant amounts of information. In recognition of its archaeological value, the Schaer Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1975. It is one of five Fairfield County mound sites to be included on the Register, along with the Old Maid's Orchard Mound
near Lithopolis
, the Tarlton Cross Mound near Tarlton
, the Coon Hunters Mound
near Carroll
, and the Fortner Mounds
near Pickerington
.
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 southeast of the city of 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...
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....
, it is a large mound; its height is 13 feet (4 m), and it is 60 feet (18.3 m) in diameter. Today, the mound sits in woodland, being covered with brush and trees. Since white settlement of the region, the mound has seen few changes: individuals hunting for Indian relics have damaged it slightly, but the most significant effects have been minor natural phenomena such as the diggings of groundhog
Groundhog
The groundhog , also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas as a land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Other marmots, such as the yellow-bellied and hoary marmots, live in rocky and mountainous areas, but...
s.
Although the mound was surely constructed during the Woodland period
Woodland period
The Woodland period of North American pre-Columbian cultures was from roughly 1000 BCE to 1000 CE in the eastern part of North America. The term "Woodland Period" was introduced in the 1930s as a generic header for prehistoric sites falling between the Archaic hunter-gatherers and the...
, the cultural affiliation
Archaeological culture
An archaeological culture is a recurring assemblage of artifacts from a specific time and place, which are thought to constitute the material culture remains of a particular past human society. The connection between the artifacts is based on archaeologists' understanding and interpretation and...
of its builders is unknown. Both the Hopewell and the Adena
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...
cultures built burial mounds
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
like the Schaer Mound in central Ohio, but their works are typically distinguishable with the eye: the Hopewell preferred the valleys of the major rivers for their subconical mounds, while the Adena favored high ground near small watercourses for their conical mounds. Because it shares some characteristics of each culture's typical architecture, the Schaer Mound's builders cannot precisely be identified.
Despite the difficulty of naming those who built it, the Schaer Mound is a valuable 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,...
. Because no excavation has ever been conducted there, its original contents are likely still to be interred within, and those mounds that combine Adena and Hopewell characteristics have often been found to yield the most significant amounts of information. In recognition of its archaeological value, the Schaer 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. It is one of five Fairfield County mound sites to be included on the Register, along with 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 ....
, 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 Fortner Mounds
Fortner Mounds
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...
near 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...
.