Did you know we have Indian mounds in Indiana? Resting on the banks of the Ohio River in the southwest Hoosier State, you’ll find a beautiful and intriguing group of 11 “angel mounds.” These Indian mounds in Indiana were built thousands of years ago by Native Americans for various purposes. It’s said that this is one of the best-preserved Native American historical sites in all of North America. These are definitely the most interesting Indiana Indian mounds!

The angel mounds were built over years, sometime around AD 1000.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
Chances are that this little town on the river served as a very active hub for commerce. At its peak, these Indiana mounds were likely home to over 1,000 people of the Mississippian culture.
In all, 11 mounds were built. Some were used for things as simple as elevating prominent structures. Others were used for ceremonies, and others served as residences.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
The site was gently excavated over decades and is now known as the Angel Mounds Historical Site. More than 300 separate sites have been discovered in around the mounds. Numerous artifacts have been found, each of which are highly valuable to those seeking to understand more about the cultures that lived here.
Some artifacts seemed almost haphazardly placed. For example, some are found not far from palisade walls. Others seem to have been buried with more purpose, right within the sides of mounds F and I.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
Mound A is the largest, measuring up at an impressive 44 feet high.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
One thing that's clear to archaeologists is that these Indian mounds in Indiana were all constructed with a purpose. Each has multiple layers and is made of different types of material.
The Mississippian people were extremely resourceful. They are known not only for the creation of these mounds, but also for crafting shell-tempered pottery and designing widespread trade networks.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
They also established a maize-based agriculture system and marked the development of a hierarchy-based civilization. Over time, they gradually stopped creating these mounds, but it's unclear why.
Sometime around AD 1400, the Mississippians began abandoning the area.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
It's unknown exactly why the area was left. It's possible that the land was depleted as a result of over-farming. The cause could have also been an increase in civil and social unrest.
Today, the angel mounds site is a historic wonder. Tours and education are offered to curious visitors.
Angel Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
You'll find yourself immersed in a beautiful world of intrigue here. Go hiking through the mounds, or check out the information center. There's plenty of fascinating backstory there about the Mississippian people and the legacy they mysteriously left behind more than 1,000 years ago.

Take a delightful aerial tour of Angel Mounds State Historic Site right from your couch:

For more information about the site, visiting, and a deeper look at the history of these Indiana mounds, check out the Angel Mounds Historical Site official website.

Have you been to Angel Mounds in Indiana? Have you ever visited an ancient, historic ceremonial grounds or other Indian mounds in Indiana? Where was it? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Mounds In Indiana

Tori Jane | March 14, 2023
  1. Are there many Native American mounds in Indiana?

Amazingly, Indiana is home to a rich plethora of amazing Native American mound sites and earthworks - 1,183 sites that contain at least 2,100 earthworks, to be exact! The vast majority of these sites have unfortunately been damaged or nearly destroyed thanks to a multitude of factors like over-digging, development, and agriculture. However, there are some that are remarkably well-preserved, including the breathtakingly beautiful Angel Mounds. Interested in a road trip? Check out some of our neighbor Ohio’s ancient earthworks as well. 

  1. What is the history of Indiana’s mysterious mounds?

Though not exactly “mysterious,” there is still a lot to be learned about the burial mounds in Indiana and many other places. What we do know about Angel Mounds, for example, is that it was occupied between A.D. 1000 and 1450 and likely had more than 1,000 residents. These folks were of the Mississippian culture and used the mounds for many different purposes, from traditional burials to elevating important structures and other things.  

  1. What are some other interesting places to visit in Indiana?

Naturally, the mounds aren’t the only interesting places to visit in Indiana! There are so many more, no matter what your interests might be. Some other highly recommended things to do in Indiana include:  

  • Visit the covered bridges of beautiful Parke County, Indiana 
  • Check out any of our 24 breathtaking state parks – we strongly recommend Indiana Dunes National Park, too!  
  • Check out some of the cutest small towns in Indiana, like Shipshewana and Patriot 
  • Visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, which is the largest children’s museum in the world 
  • Explore Indiana’s amazing wine country – yes, that’s a thing!  

 

Check out our attractions hub for hundreds of amazing ideas for things to do in Indiana!  

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