Serpent Mound

ancient mysteries · Ohio · archaeology · earthen art

Giant snake shape. Serpent Mound stretches 1,348 feet long (almost as long as four football fields!) and winds across the land like a real serpent. It's the largest serpent effigy mound known anywhere in the world.

Built on a plateau. The mound sits on the Serpent Mound crater plateau in Adams County, Ohio, near the little town of Peebles. It runs right along the Ohio Brush Creek, suggesting the ancient builders chose this special location for a reason.

Prehistoric monument. This amazing earthwork was built long ago by Native Americans, though experts still debate exactly which group created it. It was likely built as a ceremonial or sacred site that held deep meaning for the people who made it.

Not very tall. Even though Serpent Mound is incredibly long, it's only about four feet high, so you wouldn't see it as clearly from the ground as you would from high up in the air. This suggests it was meant to be viewed from above, perhaps by the spirits or sky.

Mystery and wonder. Archaeologists still don't know for certain who built Serpent Mound or exactly when, which makes it one of North America's most intriguing ancient mysteries. People visit from all over the world to see this incredible creation.