What were the mounds used for?

Mounds were used by the Adena and Hopewell people to bury their dead. Burial ceremonies and the building of mounds was very important (Lutz). Both groups buried many artifacts with their dead. This sometimes showed their importance to the group and has also told us many aspects about their culture and habits.

The Adena buried artifacts such as spears, tools, pottery, clay tablets, clothing and ornaments with their dead. They buried their dead in one of three ways: 

1. Some were laid extended in a shallow grave lined with bark and covered with bark and soil to make a mound. 

2. Some were permitted to decompose and then buried in a bundle. 

3. Some were cremated. (Lutz) 

The Hopewell people built effigy and geometric shaped mounds of earth and clay. They buried their dead along with various artifacts, richer than those of the Adena, in the mounds. Their dead was mostly cremated, but some were buried in log tombs.