I can see the light from the Big House. Katherine Winchek ANT 348: Native American Anthropology Harry Sanabria August 24, 2015 Fort Ancient Culture

The Fort Ancient people stretch from eastern Ohio to southeastern Indiana and from central Ohio to West Virginia. Thrived between 900A.D. – 1750 A.D. Geographical Location

Name Origins Named after a hilltop enclosure in Southwestern Ohio (not Serpent Mound) Part of the Mound Builders group This group included Adena/Hopewell

However…. It was later found that the Fort Ancient didn’t build the mounds in that part of Ohio! So…..the Fort Ancient were inaccurately named! The mounds were built by the Adena/Hopewell.

Fort Ancient Site vs. Fort Ancient Culture The Fort Ancient site and Fort Ancient Culture are NOT one on in the same. This overlap in naming has a lot of archaeologists running for the “hills” or “mounds.”

Fort Ancient Site Unique Walls enclosing a village It was assumed these both existed at the same time. It was later found that the walls and village existed at different times!

Another Case of Mistaken Identity There are some misconceptions about the Adena/Hopewell. They are not separate cultures. They are actually the same culture, but at different time periods.

Diet The Fort Ancient were more dependent on agriculture. 75% included: ◦ Sunflowers ◦ Squash ◦ Corn (maize) Corn was the most consumed of all.

Cons of Corn Excessive consumption of corn led to dental abnormalities. Lack of nutrients Poor bone health Spinal disease Rarely lived to 40

Fort Ancient Village Circular village 420-foot Mississippian-inspired fence ◦ woven sticks The fence was a good barrier against large game animals and neighboring tribes. Deer Elk Bison

Houses Just inside the barrier sat houses made from mud, clay, sticks, and other plant products. Families were divided in “pie slices.” Matrilocal residency ◦ Male moved in with female’s family

Central Posts Cedar posts located in the center of the village ◦ Creates a shadow into the Big House/Lodge Solstices ◦ Summer and winter

Big House/Lodge Thought to have been a council building ◦ For men Artifacts found nearby were male-dominated ◦ Hunting, fishing, etc.

Light and the Big House/Lodge Time to sow seeds Time to harvest Festivities Cleanse the village

Compost and Trash Just in front of the houses were compost pits Gold mine! Evidence of diet Once food spoiled it was covered

On Our Way In Closer to the center are small mounds scattered by household “slice.” Burial places Closer to the center = more important

Serpent Mound Mistaken as work by the Adena (time period) Actually the Fort Ancient ¼ mile in length 1.5 meters tall 20 feet in width

How they used Serpent Mound Indicates time periods Observe patterns of the sun Predict changing of the seasons Each curve represents a season

Spiritual Beliefs No specific belief system has been indentified Sun played a key role in daily life Navajo believe in creationism Fort Ancient lacked contact with a lot of others

Political System Big House/Lodge Male power Shared roles – democratic Council

Challenges they faced Most detrimental were diseases ◦ Spinal disease Rarely live to 40 Poor diet Dying young when compared with today No healthcare system known

Conclusion The Fort Ancient people ◦ Thrived with minimal resources ◦ Used resources sustainably ◦ Were advanced in architectural knowledge ◦ Contributed to the rich Ohio history!

References Robbins, L., & Neumann, G. (1972). The prehistoric people of the Fort Ancient culture of the Central Ohio Valley,. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan. Journey back in time. (2013). Retrieved August 25, 2015, from Museum info. (2013). Retrieved August 25, 2015, from Roza, G. (2005). The Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient of Ohio. New York: PowerKids Press. Woodward, S. (2002). Indian mounds of the middle Ohio Valley: A guide to mounds and earthworks of the Adena, Hopewell, Cole, and Fort Ancient people (2nd ed.). Blacksburg, Va.: McDonald & Woodward Pub