A Serpent's Tale: Discovering America's Ancient Mound Builders

The discovery of ancient mounds and earthworks by American settlers beyond the Appalachian Mountains sparked intrigue and speculation about their origins, with many attributing them to lost civilizations rather than Native Americans. Lorett Treese delves into this captivating history, highlighting the blend of fanciful theories and scientific exploration that emerged as scholars sought to uncover the truth behind these mysterious structures. As urbanization threatened these sites, the need for careful investigation led to the establishment of American archaeology as a formal discipline.