Welcome to Hodgen’s Cemetery Mound, a site where history whispers through the ages. Situated in the quaint village of Tiltonsville, Ohio, this mound is a silent testament to the complex societies that thrived along the Ohio River long before modern times. The mound itself is a prehistoric earthwork, attributed to the ingenious Adena culture, which flourished between 500 BC and AD 500. Imagine, if you will, the Adena people meticulously constructing this mound as a burial site, a practice that highlights their rich cultural and spiritual life.
In the 19th century, settlers in Tiltonsville established a cemetery around this mysterious hill, unaware of its ancient origins. It wasn’t until erosion and the unearthing of human bones, including a skull with distinct cranial deformation, that the true nature of the mound was revealed. This artificial cranial deformation is a hallmark of the Adena, often signifying individuals of high status within their society. The site is largely unexplored archaeologically, preserving its potential to yield insights into the lives and customs of these early inhabitants.
Despite some modern disturbances from the cemetery, the mound’s original conical shape remains intact, standing as a valuable archaeological site. In 1975, the Hodgen’s Cemetery Mound was recognized for its historical significance and was added to the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its protection and acknowledgment as a vital link to our prehistoric past.
Tiltonsville itself was established in 1806 by John Tilton, who purchased the land from the U.S. government, marking the beginning of the village’s recorded history. Over time, the village has evolved from its early frontier roots to become part of the larger Weirton–Steubenville metropolitan area, all while maintaining its connection to the ancient past through sites like the Hodgen’s Cemetery Mound.
As you explore or imagine this serene location, consider the layers of history beneath your feet, where the stories of the Adena people, early settlers, and modern inhabitants intersect in a continuum of human experience.
