ARCHAEOASTRONOMY AND LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY AT SERPENT MOUND

Built by ancient Native Americans, Serpent Mound is one of the most recognizable effigy earthworks in the world. The effigy appears to represent a massive earthen Serpent about to strike an oval-shaped feature. In this paper several recent archaeoastronomic alignment theories are reviewed. Also presented is an explanation for the shape of the oval embankment based on an observable phenomenon. Following that, new data generated using Stellarium and PeakFinder are presented showing how the effigy incorporates solar, lunar, and stellar alignments. Landscape associations are also noted. The paper concludes with an interpretation for the effigy consistent with Native American beliefs.