Overview
This lecture explores the history, interpretation, and controversies surrounding the ancient mounds in Ohio, focusing on who built them and why early settlers denied indigenous origins.
The Ohio Mounds and Early Interpretations
- The Scioto River area in Ohio features large earthworks and mounds built by prehistoric people.
- 19th-century surveyors documented these structures but doubted local Native Americans built them.
- Early settlers believed a “lost race” or advanced civilization created the mounds.
Popular Myths and Racial Theories
- Various theories attributed mound construction to Vikings, Welsh, the Lost Tribes of Israel, and others—never Native Americans.
- 19th-century Americans romanticized the idea of a vanished superior race predating known Indian groups.
- Literature and scientific works reinforced the notion that Native Americans could not have built the mounds.
Scientific Investigation and Bias
- Dr. Samuel Morton attempted to classify mound builders and Native Americans as separate races using skull measurements.
- Morton's studies showed mound builder skulls matched modern Native American skulls, but he still divided them into “civilized” and “barbarous” tribes.
- Morton's conclusions matched prevailing prejudices rather than scientific evidence.
Social and Political Implications
- Denying Native American construction of the mounds minimized indigenous claims to the land.
- The mound builder myth grew more popular during forced removals like the Trail of Tears, supporting the justification for displacing tribes.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Mounds — Large, man-made earth structures built by prehistoric peoples in North America.
- Mound Builder Myth — The belief that a lost, advanced civilization—not Native Americans—constructed the mounds.
- Crania Americana — Dr. Samuel Morton’s book using skull measurements to argue racial differences.
- Trail of Tears — Forced relocation of Native American tribes from their homelands to western territories.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the evolution of interpretations about the mounds for homework.
- Read more about Dr. Samuel Morton’s influence on 19th-century racial science.