United States

Alligator Effigy Mound

Fort Ancient effigy mound in Granville, Ohio (AD 800–1200)

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Alligator Effigy Mound is an effigy mound in Granville, Ohio, United States. The mound is believed to have been built between AD 800 and 1200 by people of the Fort Ancient culture. The mound was likely a ceremonial site, as it was not used for burials. Located on privately owned land, Alligator Mound is one of two extant effigy mounds known in the present-day state of Ohio, along with Serpent Mound in Adams County, Ohio. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971. Effigy mounds were built more often by ancient indigenous peoples located in the areas of the present-day states of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin than in the Ohio area, and many have survived there.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Construction

AD 800–1200

Radiocarbon date

c. AD 950

Squier and Davis survey

1848

NRHP listing

1971

Professional investigation

1999

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Altars
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Artificial MoundsLandscaped Earthworks
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

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Reference

Details

Country

United States

Coordinates

40.07° N, -82.50° E