Woodland Systematics and Monumentality: A Preliminary Discussion of the Re-discovery of the Caldwell Mound

Summary

The Caldwell Mound was a prehistoric conical mound located in the central Scioto River Valley, in modern-day Ross County, Ohio. Excavated by prominent amateur archaeologist, Donald McBeth in 1942, the Caldwell mound revealed a unique, if detailed funerary complex. Yet, these results remained largely unpublished. Exhibiting characteristics historically considered "Adena" and "Hopewell", the Caldwell mound presents either a call to update local cultural systematics or adds data speaking to a period of transitioning ceremonialism during the first half of the Woodland Period. A preliminary re-analysis of remaining artifacts and archival materials reveals interesting implications for a more holistic understanding of Woodland monumentality and the necessity of a recursive process in developing regional cultural systematics. This research also demonstrates the utility of research of incomplete archival materials and museum collections generated from the late 19th and early 20th century excavations.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17017