Seip-Pricer Mound
The Seip Mound or Seip Earthworks is one of several major Hopewell complexes in the Paint Creek Valley of south central Ohio. This is a map showing a general layout of the Earthworks. Unfortunately today only the central mound is intact.. the original complex consisted of a square and a circle joined by a larger polygon that included both elements of circle and rectangle. the approximate acreage within the walls is 121 acres. It is estimated that the walls were 10ft high, 50 ft wide and approx 10,000 ft long. the embankments housed several small mounds, 3 large conjoined mounds, a small circle with a mound in the center and the exceptionally large oblong central mound-the Seip-Pricer Mound! the Seip-Pricer Mound measures 240 ft by 160 ft by 30 ft high. This is unusual in Hopewell Sites, the large dimensions that is. Mound 25 of the Hopewell Group measured larger though and the Carriage Factory Mound was it's equal.
This Mound was excavated in 1925 and found within were 122 interments-cremations and extended burials. the interesting part of the excavation is that Grave Goods found included mica from the Carolina's, copper from Isle royal in Lake superior, effigy pipes made of raw material from the Tennessee river Valley over 15,000 freshwater pearls of various sizes and shapes.
N'omi Greber of the Cleveland Museum of Art has determined that Seip was most likely occupied around 100AD-500AD. Dr Greber has studied the Seip Mound as well as other Paint Creek and Scioto Valley sites for years. She has determined that Seip was most likely Hopewell occupied and estimates that the population fluctuated from 4 households of an extended family to perhaps ten times that number! this projects a range of 20 to 200 people!
Early Hopewell people built structures of wood that were not enduring monumental earthen ones. time passed and population increased and needs changed, earthen Structures-mounds- were placed over the sites where ceremonial structures had once stood. Later, embankments were built to enclose the mounds. as this major landscaping evolved-so did the separation of domestic and community activities. Parts of the site that may have housed domestic activity in the beginning may have become limited to the community usage. This is an interesting concept being that our cities operate like this-do they not!
The Seip was nearly obliterated by farming! the Ohio Historical Society managed to acquire the property and it now stands as a state memorial.
The Mound can be seen in the background of this shot.
Here at the top looking down and just so you know-if you ever visit this site don't step off that path becasue there is an abundance of Poison Ivy!
Here's Ken just chillin at the top!
Left to Right-Ken-Gloria-Barb-Maryanna
Our delightful teenager-Katie! A very refreshing and welcome addition to our trip!
Below- Our Katie rolling down the mound!
Yvonne at the bottom!
We used Tuning forks At the Mounds and the Frequency that this one resonated to was 2048Hz
