Earth Works

Photo from Nature Center
 

Since November is Native American Month, my last post for this month is devoted to the cultural history of Perrot State Park.

Native Americans long ago realized the special draw that the Trempealeau area has on it's visitors. From the narrow width of the Mississippi River held to its shores by the uprising of rocky Bluffs and the prominence of Trempealeau Mountain, this area was a magnet for traveling groups of Woodland to Hopewell cultures. 


Mounds at Perrot

They left their mark with earth works, mounds of earth that covered their burials sites and perhaps to denote land boundries. The earth works are found in conical, linear and rectangular step mounds to animal shapes refered to a "Effigy Mounds".

Photo of Display at Nature Center

Be sure to stop into the Nature Center and enjoy the informational display. As you view the mounds in the park be respectful and do not walk on the mounds.


Photo of Display at Nature Center

After searching for more information on the cultures of Native Americans I came across  a very good book while bumming around La Crosse with my friend Judy.  "Twelve Millennia-Archeology of the Upper Mississippi Valley" by James L. Theler and Robert F. Boszhardt. ".We purchased it at the Archeology Museum on the campus of UW-La Crosse.

Til next month Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah, Safe Travels to see Family and Friends.