New Dates for Ohio’s Adena Mound

News January 14, 2014

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(William C. Mills, Public Domain)

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO--Radiocarbon dates obtained from bark and fabric excavated at Ohio’s Adena Mound in 1901 indicate that the site dates to the first century A.D. “It’s hugely important to be able to give a more exact date for this mound and the amazing Adena Effigy Pipe [discovered at the base of the mound]. These dates allow us to place this key mound and artifact more precisely within the sequence of Ohio’s American Indian history,” said archaeologist Brad Lepper of the Ohio Historical Society. The bark dated to A.D. 40, and was recovered from the lining of the mound's Central Grave. The textiles from the grave dated to 140 B.C., and may represent an older garment or shroud that was used in the burial. The Adena culture thrived from 1000 B.C. to 100 A.D.

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