The MoundbuildersThe Moundbuilders

Dennis ReesDennis Rees

Teacher-ConsultantTeacher-Consultant

Arizona Geographic AllianceArizona Geographic Alliance

The Moundbuilders were an ancient people The Moundbuilders were an ancient people who lived along the rivers and streams in who lived along the rivers and streams in the eastern and southern United States.the eastern and southern United States.

They consisted of 3 consecutive cultures: They consisted of 3 consecutive cultures: the Adena, the Hopewell, and the the Adena, the Hopewell, and the Mississippian.Mississippian.

They are the ancestors of the modern They are the ancestors of the modern Native Americans who live in those areas Native Americans who live in those areas today.today.

This is where their settlements This is where their settlements were located.were located.

Their settlements may have Their settlements may have looked like this in ancient times.looked like this in ancient times.

Their mounds were used for Their mounds were used for burial, religious ceremonies, and burial, religious ceremonies, and

housing.housing.

Effigy Mounds-Mississippian CultureEffigy Mounds-Mississippian Culture

Ocmulgee Ocmulgee Earthlodge-Earthlodge-Mississippian Mississippian CultureCulture

They created a variety of objects They created a variety of objects for decoration, personal use, and for decoration, personal use, and

trade.trade.

Marble Statues-Marble Statues-Mississippian Mississippian CultureCulture

Mica Hand-Mica Hand-Hopewell Hopewell

CultureCulture

Mississippian Culture Mississippian Culture PotteryPottery

Stone Pipe-Adena Stone Pipe-Adena CultureCulture

Clay Head-Clay Head-Mississippian Mississippian CultureCulture

Today, this is what remains of Today, this is what remains of their settlements.their settlements.

Effigy Mound-Mississippian CultureEffigy Mound-Mississippian Culture

Serpent Mound-Adena Serpent Mound-Adena CultureCulture

Cahokia Mound-Mississippian CultureCahokia Mound-Mississippian Culture

Etowah Mound-Mississippian Etowah Mound-Mississippian CultureCulture

Pharr Mound-Hopewell CulturePharr Mound-Hopewell Culture

Map is courtesy of Comparative Map is courtesy of Comparative Archeology.WebArcheology.Web

Photos are courtesy of the National Park Photos are courtesy of the National Park Service and the Library of CongressService and the Library of Congress