The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-10-27
The Great Serpent, in Chic.


vances.-nrs SomerUile'S Physical Geoq.
The Great Serpent, in Chic.
Probably the most extraordinary earth
WORK thus far discovered at The west is the
Great Serpent. 1t is situated on Brush
creek, at point known as "Three Forks"
on entry lOli, near the north line of Adams
county, Ohio. No plan or description has
hitherto been published; nor does the fact
OF ITS existence appear to have been known
beyond the secluded vicinity in which it oc-
ours. The notice first received by the au-
thor OF these researches was exceedingly
vague ani6ndeiinite, and led to the con
cinson that Il was work of defence, with
basiions at regular intervals; n feature so
extraordinary as to induce a visit: which
resulted in the discovery here presented
The true character of the work was appa.
rent on the frst'inspection.
1T is situated up4wa high, crescent-l form
MI or spur fland, rising 80 feet above the
level OF brush Creek. which washes its base.
The side Of the hill next the stream presents
perpendicular wall of rock, while the 9th
er subsidies rapidly, though tits not so steep
as TO preclude cultivation. The top of the
NIL is not level, but Slightly convex, and
presents very even surface, $50 feet wide
by l,oOD long, measuring from its extremity
to the point where ii connects with the table
land. Confirming to the curve of the hill.
and occupying its very summit, is the SER
pent, its head resting near the point, and its
body winding back for 700 feet, in graceful
undnlations, terminating in triple coil at
the tail. The entire length, if extended,
In, Al.
companying plan, laid down from accurate
survey, can alone give an adequate concep-
tion OF the outline of the work, which is
clearly and boldly defined, the ernbankment
being upward Of five feet in height by 30
feet base, at the centre Of the body, dmin-
lshlng somewhat towards the head and tail.
The neck ofthe serpent is stretched ont and
slightly curved, and its mouth is opened
wide, as II in the act Of swallowing or eject
ing an oval figure, which rests partially
within the distended jaws. This oval is
formed by an embankment Of earth, with
out any perceptble opening, four feet in
height, and is perfectly regular in outline.
It's transverse and conjugate diameters be-
ing l6O and 80 feet respectively, The
ground within the oval is slightly elevated :;
Il small circular elevation of white stones
much burned once existed in its centre !:
but they have been thrown down and scat.
tered by some ignorant visitor, under the
prevailing impression probably that gold
was hid beneath them. The point of the
hill, within which the egg.shaped figure
rests. seems to have been artiiiciaily cut 10
conform to its outline, leaving a smooth
platform, 10 feet wide, somewhat inclninr
inward, all around it..
Upon either side of the serpant's head ex-
tend two small triangular elevations ten or
twelve feet over They are not high, and
although too distinct to be overlooked. are
yet too much obliterated to be satisfactorily
traced. Besides a platform or level oval
terrace, and large mound in the centre of
the iSthmus connecting the hill with the Ia
Ole land beyond, there are no other remains
except few mounds, within six or eight.
miles; none. perhaps, nearer than the en-.
trenched hill in Highland county, thirteen
miles distant. There is a number of works
lower down on Brush Creek, towards its
mouth: but their character is not known.
The point on which this eiligy occurs com.
mands an extensive prospect, overlooking
the bottoms at the three principal tributa-
rieS of the creek. The aluvial terraces are
here quite extensive, and it is a matter If
surprise that no works occur upon them.
This serpent, separate or in combination
with the circle, egg, or globe, has beeu a
predominant symbol among many PRINT
tive nations. Itprevaicdin Egypt, Greece,
and ASyria, and entered widely into the SUI
rerstions ofthe Cells, the IIindoos. and the
ChncSe.-lt even penetrated into Ameri-
ca, and was conspicuous in the mythology
Of the ancient MeXicans, among whom its
significance does not seem to have differed
materially from that it had possessed in the
Old World. The fact that the ancient
CeltS, and perhaps other nations of the old
continent, erected temple structures in the
form OF the serpent, is one of high interest.
Otthis description is the great temple of
Abnry, in England, in many respects the
most imposing ancient monument Of the
British Islands.
II is impossible, in this connection, TO
trace the analogies which the Ohio structure
exhibits to the serpent temples of England,
or TO point out the extent to which the sym
Dol was applied in America; an inves,iga-
ton iraught with the greatest interest, both
in respect to the light which it reflects upon
the primitive supcrstItions of remotely Sc
parated people, and especially upon the
origin of the American race.-1ncient
UonumCntS ofHG L. S.