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Effigy Mounds of New Lisbon, WI
Thoughout Wisconsin are found many ancient Effigy Mounds. There is still some controversy surrounding them, however a gradual consensus seems to be building.
More mounds were built by ancient Native American societies in Wisconsin than in any other region of North America--between 15,000 and 20,000 mounds, at least 4,000 of which remain today.
The archaeological record indicates that most ancient societies in the upper Midwest built mounds of various kinds sometime between about 800 B.C. and A.D. 1200; the effigy mounds were probably built between A.D. 800 and A.D. 1200.
Virtually all of the Indian mounds in Wisconsin were constructed prior to European contact (AD 1600s). Prior to turn of the century, thousands dotted the Midwest landscape; today, over 75% have been destroyed as a result of development, looting, and/or natural erosion. Archaeologists have assigned the mounds in Wisconsin to various prehistoric cultures based upon their shapes and artifactual contents.
Picture of the "Gees Slough" Effigy Mound of New Lisbon, WI. This form is reportedly the Water Panther
Conical mounds ranging from several meters to over 20 meters in diameter were first constructed in Wisconsin by Woodland tradition cultures as early as 400 BC. Conical mounds usually were constructed as receptacles for the dead and may represent family or lineage burial tombs. These mounds were built by cultures of the Early Woodland stage (500-100 BC), the Middle Woodland stage (100 BC-AD 500) and the Late Woodland stage (AD 500-AD 1300).
During the Middle Woodland stage, mound building cultures participated in long distance trade and exchange in order to obtain materials as far away as the Gulf Coast of Mexico and the Great Plains. We also know that cultures began to experiment with horticulture by growing a variety of domestic and imported Mesoamerican plants.
During the Late Woodland stage, the preceding elaborate trade system declined. Populations subsisted on a corn, beans, and squash agriculture supplemented with hunting and gathering in the southern part of the state and a hunting and gathering strategy to the north.
Late Woodland stage mound building included the construction of Effigy (animal) shaped mounds for the burial of the dead.
Another photo of the "Gees Slough" Mounds in New Lisbon, WI
"The Gee's Slough Group of Indian Mounds, located just outside of the City of New Lisbon, are placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The New Lisbon Area was a winter gathering place for the Woodland Culture Indians; they are the ancestors to the Winnebago tribe.
Represented in the Gee's Slough Group mounds are three basic types; Totem ---- this effigy usually is in the shape of an animal, Linear ---- a long, straight line of earth raised above the surrounding ground, and Round or Oval ---- this mound is mostly used as the burial mound of an important member of the tribe. The effigy's represented at the New Lisbon Gee's Slough group are the panther or water spirit, the totem of the clan. The linear mound was an important setting for the Woodland Indian's religious rites. The round or oval mound is sometimes joined by a linear mound to form a dumbell shaped mound and were also sites of burials of other members of the tribe." From the New Lisbon Chamber Website.
"The Ho Chunk people are credited as being the mound builders within the region. The large effigy and conical mounds are found in southern Wisconsin and along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, these were solely the long inhabited areas of the pre-Columbian Ho Chunk people. These effigy mounds appear in the shapes of animals and birds, and many contain burials. It is important to note that all of these mounds were built with primitive equipment and by hand. They are so symmetrically accurate that it is amazing to view them today with the assistance of a compass." From the Ho-Chunk Nations Website.
Close-Up of the Thunderbirds Outside of New Lisbon
The Woodland Indians have also left Petroglyphs of the Thunderbird in area caves. According to Indian belief, thunderstorms were formed when the huge wings of the thunderbird flapped and lighting was caused by the opening and closing of their eyes. They were supposed to be the carriers of the lakes on their backs, which spilled when they tilted their bodies in flight, causing a downpouring of rain. The eggs that they dropped were the thunderbolts that sometimes struck the ground.
Today these caves are privately owned, however you can see cast of these wonderful Thunderbirds and a huge collection of local Woodland artifacts at the New Lisbon Library, located at 115 W. Park St. New Lisbon. From the New Lisbon Chamber Website.
Thunder Bird Rock Painting on shelf of cliff.
