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From Early to Late Woodland Periods

Professional Development
Jack Moutoux

Contents

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Introduction.....................................................................................................................3
Themes...............................................................................................................................4
Early Woodland..................................................................................................................6
Adena..............................................................................................................................6
Middle Woodland Period.....................................................................................................8
Hopewell Cultural Center................................................................................................8
Mound City.................................................................................................................10
Seip Mound................................................................................................................11
Hopewell Mound........................................................................................................13
Late Woodland Period.......................................................................................................15
Fort Ancient People.......................................................................................................15
Serpent Mound..........................................................................................................16
Figure Table......................................................................................................................18

Introduction
Some of the first people to come into Ohio were known as the Clovis
people during the Paleolithic era, they were hunter gatherers and the main
prey were mastodon, bison, and deer. They would make way to the archaic
era; these people started to introduce newer point technology and started to
show signs of staying in smaller regions. The Archaic people were still
nomadic, but they were starting to settle down. Then, something happened.
The Woodland Period ran from around 1000 BCE to around 1000 CE. It was
characterized by the pottery revolution, the bow and arrow, the agricultural
practices from the EAC to the 3 sisters, maize, squash, and beans. The trade
network was huge. Its networking reach was nearly the entire Eastern North
American Continent. The roaming range became narrower; evidence showed
that there were winter homes and summer homes. Cultivation of plants
began to happen and pottery was introduced. These people were named the
Adena complex (after Aden Mansion in Chillicothe, OH). This is where our
focus starts in the Early Woodland Period. Next came the Middle Woodland
Period, and brought the Hopewell Complex (named after Hopewell Farm). In
the Late Woodland Period was the Fort Ancient people (a misnomer for the
site of Fort Ancient that was built by the Hopewell, but settled by the Fort
Ancient people later), who built on top of hills, away from the flats indicating
more violence from other tribes. These were permanent settlement by this
time.
The Areas that were visited were all in Ohio including Millersburg,
Chillicothe, Newark, and Peebles. The places included earthworks such as
mounds, groups of mounds, and an effigy mound. They were as follows:
Mound City, Seip Mound, Hopewell Mound, Adena Mound (all in Chillicothe),
Serpent Mound (in Peebles) and an Adena Mound (Millersburg). These are
some locations that I would use for a field trip on Prehistoric native sites if I
were to be in southern Ohio. If I was in Middle Ohio I would use the Adena
Mound in Millersburg with a website from the Ohio History Connection Virtual
Tour.

Themes
The Themes that are covered in this body are:
4 Ohio in the United States The fourth-grade year focuses on the early
development of Ohio and the United States. Students learn about the history,
geography, government and economy of their state and nation. Foundations
of U.S. history are laid as students study prehistoric Ohio cultures, early
American life, the U.S. Constitution, and the development and growth of Ohio
and the United States. Students begin to understand how ideas and events
from the past have shaped Ohio and the United States today
Standards:
3. Various groups of people have lived in Ohio over time including
prehistoric and historic American Indians, migrating settlers and immigrants.
Interactions among these groups have resulted in both cooperation and
conflict.
10. The economic development of the United States continues to
influence and be influenced by agriculture, industry and natural resources in
Ohio
12. People have modified the environment since prehistoric times.
There are both positive and negative consequences for modifying the
environment in Ohio and the United States.
14. Ohios location and its transportation systems continue to influence
the movement of people, products and ideas in the United States.

5 Regions and People of the Western Hemisphere In grade five,

students study the Western Hemisphere (North and South America), its
geographic features, early history, cultural development and economic
change. Students learn about the early inhabitants of the Americas and the
impact of European exploration and colonization. The geographic focus
includes the study of contemporary regional characteristics, the movement

of people, products and ideas, and cultural diversity. Students develop their
understanding of the relationship between markets and available resources.
Standards:
1. Multiple-tier timelines can be used to show relationships among
events and places.
2. Early Indian civilizations (Maya, Inca, Aztec, Mississippian) existed in
the Western Hemisphere prior to the arrival of Europeans. These
civilizations had developed unique governments, social structures,
religions, technologies, and agricultural practices and products.
6. Regions can be determined using various criteria (e.g., landform,
climate, population, cultural or economic).
7. Variations among physical environments within the Western
Hemisphere influence human activities. Human activities also alter
the physical environment.
8. American Indians developed unique cultures with many different
ways of life. American Indian tribes and nations can be classified
into cultural groups based on geographic and cultural similarities.
15. The availability of productive resources (i.e., human resources,
capital goods and natural resources) promotes specialization that
leads to trade.
16. The availability of productive resources and the division of labor
impact productive capacity.
17. Regions and countries become interdependent when they
specialize in what they produce best and then trade with other
regions to increase the amount and variety of goods and services
available.
7 World Studies from 750 B.C. to 1600 A.D.: Ancient Greece to the First
Global Age The seventh grade year is an integrated study of world history,
beginning with ancient Greece and continuing through global exploration. All
four social studies strands are used to illustrate how historic events are
shaped by geographic, social, cultural, economic and political factors.
Students develop their understanding of how ideas and events from the past
have shaped the world today.
Standards:
1. Historians and archaeologists describe historical events and issues from the
perspectives of people living at the time to avoid evaluating the past in terms of todays
norms and values.

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21. The growth of cities and empires fostered the growth of markets. Market exchanges
encouraged specialization and the transition from barter to monetary economies.

My Rubric for the site is as follows

Criteria
Museum

1
No Museum
present at
site

2
Has
museum, but
only
seasonally
Limited hours

Hours of
Operation

No museum

Information

No
information

A little
information,
not well
presented

Tours

No tours

Seasonal
tours

3
Has
museum,
open all year
Open year
round, with
hours
conducive for
field trips
Has a wealth
of
information,
well
presented
Tours year
round

total

Ease of
Access

No path for
handicapped
or facilities

Has a path
for
handicapped
access but
seasonal
facilities

Has a path
for
handicapped
and has
facilities

Total

Early Woodland
Adena
The order of places to visit would be in chronological order. First would
be the Adena mound in Millersburg, if we were located close enough, but for
now it will be an example of Adena earthworks. It is located in the cemetery
in town. The closest museum is in Killbuck, about 10 miles away. But since I
am in connections with the Historical society, tours could be generated in the
museum. Otherwise, the museum has a limited season. Also, the site was
only recently identified by the Ohio Historical Society as being an Adena
mound.

FIGURE 1 ADENA MOUND

Because of these factors, the score will reflect as such. It does not have
facilities, but they are nearby as it is in town, and very close to restaurants.

Criteria
Museum

1
No Museum
present at
site

Hours of

No museum

2
Has
museum, but
only
seasonally
Limited hours

3
Has
museum,
open all year

total
1

Open year

Operation

Information

No
information

A little
information,
not well
presented

Tours

No tours

Ease of
Access

No path for
handicapped
or facilities

Seasonal
tours
Has a path
for
handicapped
access but
seasonal
facilities

Total

round, with
hours
conducive for
field trips
Has a wealth
of
information,
well
presented
Tours year
round
Has a path
for
handicapped
and has
facilities

I could bring students here after a lesson on early Native Americans

and show them the work that it took to build one of these early mounds.
History Strand
Historical Thinking and Skills
1. The order of significant events in Ohio and the United States can be shown
on a timeline.
2. Primary and secondary sources can be used to create historical narratives.
Heritage
3. Various groups of people have lived in Ohio over time including prehistoric
and historic American Indians, migrating settlers and immigrants.
Interactions among these groups have resulted in both cooperation and
conflict.
I could then take them to the Killbuck Valley Museum to show more examples
of daily life of mammoths and mastodons, alongside Clovis points, and other
arrow heads. The next stop would have been Adena Mansion. I did get the

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chance to be in the area and pick up flyers for the mansion, but it was closed
until just recently for the season. The information that I did receive was
mostly about the gardens, the mansion and the governor who lived there.
Middle Woodland Period
Hopewell Cultural Center
The next place I visited was the Hopewell Cultural Center and Mound City
group. This had the most information I had yet to encounter. The interactive
display showing the everyday life, and burial practices

FIGURE 2 MURAL SHOWING HOW THE CEREMONY MAY HAVE LOOKED

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of the Hopewell culture and the items

FIGURE 3 COPPER BREAST PLATE AND BIRD EFFIGY

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FIGURE 4 SHARKS TEETH FROM THE GULF

that were excavated from the mounds.

Mound City
It really was a sight to see when one stands on one side and looks to the
other, seeing how much work went into these burial mounds and the
perimeter.

FIGURE 5 LOOKING INTO MOUND CITY GROUP WITH A GAP FOR LUNAR CALENDAR

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Figure 6
Perimeter of the wall around Mound City group

I would use this if I were to be located in southern Ohio for a field trip most
definitely. I feel that everyone should take the opportunity to go there even if
you live in Cleveland or Toledo, just to get a better sense of how life was
before Europeans came here. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable.
The facilities were clean and open year round. But do not forget, they also
give guided tours for groups. The visitor center is open 7 day a week 363
days a year being closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Criteria
Museum

1
No Museum
present at
site

Hours of
Operation

No museum

Information

No
information

2
Has
museum, but
only
seasonally
Limited hours

A little
information,
not well

3
Has
museum,
open all year

total
3

Open year
round, with
hours
conducive for
field trips
Has a wealth
of
information,

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presented
Tours

No tours

Ease of
Access

No path for
handicapped
or facilities

Seasonal
tours
Has a path
for
handicapped
access but
seasonal
facilities

Total

well
presented
Tours year
round
Has a path
for
handicapped
and has
facilities

3
3

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Seip Mound
Seip Mound and Hopewell mound were close by so I went there as well. The
museum also supports these site and give tours of these as well. So even
though there is not a museum present at these sites, it does serve for them
and are under the protection and care of the Hopewell Cultural Center.

FIGURE 7 SEIP MOUND FROM THE PARKING LOT

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FIGURE 8 HOW THE MOUND WAS CONSTRUCTED, SHOWING THE EXCAVATION. IT SHOWS THAT
THERE WAS A REBUILDING PERIOD BECAUSE THE PRIMARY MOUND COLLAPSED AND WAS
REBUILT BY THE HOPEWELL LATER.

Criteria
Museum

1
No Museum
present at
site

2
Has
museum, but
only
seasonally
Limited hours

Hours of
Operation

No museum

Information

No
information

A little
information,
not well
presented

Tours

No tours

Seasonal

3
Has
museum,
open all year

total
1

Open year
round, with
hours
conducive for
field trips
Has a wealth
of
information,
well
presented
Tours year

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Ease of
Access

No path for
handicapped
or facilities

tours
Has a path
for
handicapped
access but
seasonal
facilities

Total

round
Has a path
for
handicapped
and has
facilities

Although it is not a paved walkway, it is rather flat and easy to get around.
There is only a port-apot on site.
Hopewell Mound
The Hopewell cultural center was named after Hopewell farm and this group of mounds.
Unfortunately there is not much left of the group even though it had the largest mounds
built by the Hopewell. It is however one of the largest groups outside of the Newark
complex.

FIGURE 9 MAP SHOWING HOW BIG THE GROUP IS

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FIGURE 10 THIS IS WHAT IS LEFT OF THE MOUNDS. THE PERIMETER GOES TO THE EDGE OF
THE TREE-LINE BY THE FARMHOUSE. THE PATH TO WALK IS NEARLY 2 MILES.

Criteria
Museum

1
No Museum
present at
site

2
Has
museum, but
only
seasonally
Limited hours

Hours of
Operation

No museum

Information

No
information

A little
information,
not well
presented

Tours

No tours

Seasonal

3
Has
museum,
open all year

total
1

Open year
round, with
hours
conducive for
field trips
Has a wealth
of
information,
well
presented
Tours year

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Ease of
Access

No path for
handicapped
or facilities

tours
Has a path
for
handicapped
access but
seasonal
facilities

Total

round
Has a path
for
handicapped
and has
facilities

Again has a grass path but does have a restroom on site. This is a large group and can
be driven through to get a sense of scale. While it did have plenty of knowledge, it looks
like a farm field now due to over farming/tilling, development and excavating over the
years. It has not been rebuilt like the rest of the mound groups have in the area.

Late Woodland Period

For the Late Woodland period, Serpent Mound was the best choice. There is still
controversy over who built the mound, what its purpose was and how long ago it was
built. The center there did not provide a clear cut defining time period when the mound
was constructed. But from other research found from the Ohio Historical Society says
that most likely built during the Fort Ancient people.

Fort Ancient People

The Fort Ancient people were named so because they lived in a previous Hopewell
mound site. The Fort Ancient people started more defensive living with wall or on
hilltops suggesting there was more violence and fighting happening between tribes.
However they did build a few Mounds and Serpent mound was one of these Mounds.

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Serpent Mound

FIGURE 11 SERPENT MOUND LOOKING TOWARD THE HEAD FROM THE OBSERVATION DECK

FIGURE 12 LOOKING AT THE TAIL FROM THE OBSERVATION DECK

Serpent mound looks like the name implies, a serpent of a snake. If one looks at the
photos above Figure 11Figure 12. The head is swallowing an egg and the tail is circular
with a winding body. There have been attempts to align the curves of the snake with
celestial events, and have found that they are loosely aligned. Excavations of the
mound yielded little information but the mounds around the Serpents had yielded many
thousands of beads and other things that were found like that of the Hopewell Cultural

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group. Radio Carbon Dating had returned mixed results as there are different samples of
charcoal within the mound to accurately state when the mound was constructed.
The museum there had conflicting and poor representation of the Fort Ancient people.
They did have quite a bit of info for prior to them suggesting that the museum thinks
that Serpent Mound was not of Fort Ancient construction. There was however, a lot of
information on the construction of the mound and the topography of the land. This
would be useful when talking about the geology of the region to help students
understand why they constructed the mound in such a manner.

Criteria
Museum

1
No Museum
present at
site

Hours of
Operation

No museum

Information

No
information

A little
information,
not well
presented

Tours

No tours

Ease of
Access

No path for
handicapped
or facilities

Seasonal
tours
Has a path
for
handicapped
access but
seasonal
facilities

Total

2
Has
museum, but
only
seasonally
Limited hours

3
Has
museum,
open all year

total
3

Open year
round, with
hours
conducive for
field trips
Has a wealth
of
information,
well
presented
Tours year
round
Has a path
for
handicapped
and has
facilities

2
2

11

This may reflect poorly of the other mound sites, but they did not have museums on
sight even though there is one very close. The facility here though did have a collection
of information that was not presented well and the facilities for restrooms were not
open. Not a great thing for a group of kids. There is a paved trail that goes around the
whole serpent mound though, which makes it easier for handicapped access compared
to grass paths. The observation tower is stairs only so that may be a hindrance to those
that want a sky view. They will just have to look at maps.

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In the end, the trip provided a closer look at the vast trade network the early
people of Ohio had. It also showed a glimpse of rituals that occurred at these sites. It
also showed that the native wore animal skins, woven grasses and had an early
cultivation system. The religion was based on animals or at least they were help in high
regard. I would recommend any teacher to go the southern Ohio trip to see the changes
that have occurred with early peoples and to have a better understanding of how much
effort went into their socio-economic system.

Figure Table
Figure 1 Adena Mound........................................................................................................6
Figure 2 Mural showing how the ceremony may have looked...........................................8
Figure 3 Copper breast plate and bird effigy......................................................................9
Figure 4 Sharks teeth from the gulf...................................................................................9
Figure 5 Looking into mound City group with a gap for lunar calendar...........................10
Figure 6 Perimeter of the wall around Mound City group.................................................10
Figure 7 Seip Mound from the parking lot........................................................................12
Figure 8 How the mound was constructed, showing the excavation. It shows that there
was a rebuilding period because the primary mound collapsed and was rebuilt by the
Hopewell later..................................................................................................................12
Figure 9 Map showing how big the group is.....................................................................14
Figure 10 This is what is left of the mounds. The perimeter goes to the edge of the treeline by the farmhouse. The path to walk is nearly 2 miles..............................................14
Figure 11 Serpent mound looking toward the head from the observation deck..............16
Figure 12 Looking at the tail From the Observation Deck................................................16