Serpent Mound - Peebles, Ohio
Posted by: 
Mr. 0
N 39° 01.517 W 083° 25.797
17S E 289648 N 4322391
Located a few miles north of Peebles, in the southwestern part of Ohio. This is the largest effigy mound in the United States.
Waymark Code: WM20B9
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 08/14/2007
Views: 18
This mound is the largest effigy mound in the U.S. at about a 1/4 mile long. It sits atop a plateau over looking Brush Creek in what is now believed to be a meteorite crater. Carbon dating shows the mound to have been built by the Fort Ancient culture around 1,070AD. Several theories try to explain why the mound was built and what its purpose is. It is a ceremonial mound of some sort, as no burials have been found in the Serpent Mound itself. Although there are several burial mounds nearby. The head of the serpent, which is thought to symbolize its swallowing of the sun, aligns with the Summer Solstice sunset, and the coils align with the moon's maximum northern, southern, and central rising and setting points. The serpent is aligned with true north along a line from the center of its coiled tail to the base of its head. It's also interesting that this mound was built shortly after the sighting of light from the supernova that created the Crab Nebula in 1054, and the appearance of Haley's Comet in 1066.
The area as been made into a park by the Ohio Historical Society which works to protect the mound, and educate visitors. Near the mound is a museum which displays artifacts found in the area, and has displays showing model cross sections of burial mounds. At the edge of the mound is a 30' observation tower where you can look over the Serpent Mound. A paved trail winds around the entire mound for a close-up look. There are also a couple of hiking trails that lead off toward Brush Creek. There is a fee to visit the mound. Currently it is $7.00 per car, $2.00 for motorcycles, $35.00 for a school bus, and $70.00 for a commercial bus. The park hours are Wed-Sun 10a-5p year round, and it is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, & New Year's Day. The museum is open Sat and Sun 10a-5p during April, May, Sept, and Oct. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the museum is open Wed-Sun 10a-5p, and the museum is closed from November to March. The park is handicap accessable.