Criel Mound

From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia

Location: South Charleston, WV
Name Variant(s): Criel Mound, South Charleston Mound

The 2nd largest Adena mound in West Virginia, the Criel Mound is believed to be from an era of about 250-150 B.C., with some evidence found suggesting the site was used by Native Americans as late as 1650.

Destruction of Ancient Sites

The South Charleston mound is just one of fifty conical mounds (http://cwva.org/area_prehistories/graphics/dunbar-schas-bae-1887.gif) of the Adena culture that once existed in an area west of Charleston that extended to the area of present-day Institute, WV. All but three of these mounds and sites were destroyed during the industrialization of the Kanawha Valley that occurried after the completion of the C&O Railway in 1872. One of the three remaining mounds was plowed-under in the 1960's to build a new high school.

During the late-1800's, much of the South Charleston Mound was altered, with the construction of a horse racing track around the mound, and the top of the mound flatten, to make an area to serve as a podium, where racing judges sat. Originally the mound measured about 175 feet in diameter and 35 feet in height. Today, the mound is only about 140 feet in diameter and 25 feet in height.

Excavations of the South Charleston Mound

The Criel Mound was first excavated by Professor P. W. Norris of the Smithsonian Institute in 1883 and 1884 who reported in Ancient Works Near Charleston, U. S. Bureau of Ethnology, Twelfth Annual Report, 1890-91 the following:

"At the depth of 3 feet, in the center of the shaft, some human bones were discovered, doubtless parts of a skeleton said to have been dug up before or at the time of the construction of the judges' stand. At the depth of 4 feet, in a bed of hard earth composed of mixed clay and ashes, were two skeletons, both lying extended on their backs, heads south, and feet near the center of the shaft. Near the heads lay two celts, two stone hoes, one lance head, and two disks."

At a depth of 31 feet, numerous other skeletons were found, including a burial vault with the remains of eleven persons believed to an Adena leader and ten of his servants. Numerous artifacts, including various jewelry and weapons, were found during the excavation.

See Also

The Kanawha Valley and its Prehistoric People (http://cwva.org/area_prehistories/kvprehistory-maslowski.html)