Hillside Haven Mound
Encyclopedia
The Hillside Haven Mound (designated 33-Cn-14) is a Native American mound in the southwestern part of the U.S. state
of Ohio
. Located southwest of Oakland in Clinton County
, it sits in dense woodland on the side of a hill. It is believed to have been conical in shape at the time of construction, but today it is rounded in shape, measuring 2.5 foot (0.762 m) high and 33 feet (10.1 m) in diameter.
During a test excavation of the mound and its immediate vicinity, archaeologists from Wilmington College found pieces of Adena
pottery around the mound. Judging by findings from other Adena mound sites, the Hillside Haven Mound is believed to be a burial mound
built over the body of a leading member of Adena society. Excavations of typical Adena mounds have demonstrated that the Adena culture typically built small log houses around the bodies of their dead leaders, ceremonially burned the houses, and heaped up mounds over the ruins of the houses. Although no detailed excavation has been conducted at Hillside Haven, all evidence found around points to the conclusion that it is a typical Adena mound, with both ceremonial and functional items within.
In 1978, the Hillside Haven Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
because of its value as an archaeological site
. As one of the last remaining Native American mounds in Clinton County, it is a rare survivor of Native American prehistory in the region, and its unusually good state of preservation only increases its significance. Four other Clinton County archaeological sites are listed on the Register: the Hurley and Keiter
Mounds, the Cowan Creek Circular Enclosure, and the Beam Farm Woodland Archaeological District
.
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 southwest of Oakland in Clinton County
Clinton County, Ohio
Clinton County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 42,040. The 2008 Census Population Estimate places the figure at 43,200. It is named for former U.S. Vice-President George Clinton...
, it sits in dense woodland on the side of a hill. It is believed to have been conical in shape at the time of construction, but today it is rounded in shape, measuring 2.5 foot (0.762 m) high and 33 feet (10.1 m) in diameter.
During a test excavation of the mound and its immediate vicinity, archaeologists from Wilmington College found pieces of 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...
pottery around the mound. Judging by findings from other Adena mound sites, the Hillside Haven Mound is believed to be a burial mound
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...
built over the body of a leading member of Adena society. Excavations of typical Adena mounds have demonstrated that the Adena culture typically built small log houses around the bodies of their dead leaders, ceremonially burned the houses, and heaped up mounds over the ruins of the houses. Although no detailed excavation has been conducted at Hillside Haven, all evidence found around points to the conclusion that it is a typical Adena mound, with both ceremonial and functional items within.
In 1978, the Hillside Haven 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...
because of its value as an 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,...
. As one of the last remaining Native American mounds in Clinton County, it is a rare survivor of Native American prehistory in the region, and its unusually good state of preservation only increases its significance. Four other Clinton County archaeological sites are listed on the Register: the Hurley and Keiter
Keiter Mound
The Keiter Mound is a Native American mound in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located north of the city of Wilmington, it sits on a hill above the stream bottom of a small secondary creek. Due to its location, it is believed to be a work of Hopewellian peoples...
Mounds, the Cowan Creek Circular Enclosure, and the Beam Farm Woodland Archaeological District
Beam Farm Woodland Archaeological District
The Beam Farm Woodland Archaeological District is a group of archaeological sites in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located at 3983 Stone Road near the village of Sabina in Clinton County, the district is composed of one Native American mound and two other archaeological sites...
.