Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds - Ft. Atkinson, WI
N 42° 52.508 W 088° 54.537
16T E 344087 N 4748716
The 11 mounds preserved here in Jefferson County Indian Mounds and Trail Park were part of a larger group of 72 mounds and include symmetrical and animal shapes, resembling birds, turtles or lizards, and perhaps spiritual figures.
Waymark Code: WM38E8
Location: Wisconsin, United States
Date Posted: 02/25/2008
Views: 29
The historical marker reads:
"Between AD 650 and 1200, groups of Native Americans throughout the southern half of Wisconsin and portions of adjacent states built earthen mounds of various shapes and sizes, including mounds shaped like animals, today called effigy mounds. The 11 mounds preserved here in Jefferson County Indian Mounds and Trail Park were part of a larger group of 72 mounds and include symmetrical and animal shapes, resembling birds, turtles or lizards, and perhaps spiritual figures. A remnant of an ancient trail is also visible in the park.
The people who built effigy mounds hunted and collected food, often returning to the same locations seasonally. They lived in semi-permanent villages, used the bow and arrow, and made and used pottery. Mounds likely served ceremonial, spiritual and practical purposes, perhaps marking territories and designating special gathering places. Mounds often, but not always, contain burials. The Lake Koshkonong area once had 23 effigy mound groups, composed of about 500 individual mounds."
Type: Burial Mounds
How did you find this "Ancient Evidence": Deliberately Searching
Terrain Rating: 
Trailhead: Not Listed
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