Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
The Great Serpent Mound is an ancient earthwork located in Ohio, USA. It is a massive effigy mound shaped like a serpent, created by Native American cultures between 800 BCE and 1200 CE.
Earthwork refers to any human-made structure constructed using soil or other natural materials. These structures can include mounds, embankments, ditches, or even sculptures.
An effigy mound is an earthwork created in the shape of an animal or object. They were built by Native American cultures for various purposes such as burial sites or ceremonial grounds.
Cahokia Mounds: The Cahokia Mounds are another example of ancient earthworks located in Illinois, USA. This archaeological site contains numerous mounds and was once the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico.