Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson)
Aztalan NW Mound
Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE)·Hallstatt / Early Iron Age; Mississippian·🇺🇸 Wisconsin, Jefferson County, Aztalan, United States
About
About Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson)
Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson) in Wisconsin, Jefferson County, Aztalan, United States is a Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE) tumulus attributed to Hallstatt / Early Iron Age. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal citadel and ancillary settlement. Dimensions mound 22 m diameter × 6 m high; ditch 2 m deep; area 4.3 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Hallstatt / Early Iron Age tumulus with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 260 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape model
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500–1200 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE)
- Culture
- Hallstatt / Early Iron Age; Mississippian
- Builders
- Hallstatt
- Purpose
- Elite burial and ritual mound
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500–1200 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1194 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1929
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
43.0600° N · 88.8600° W · 260 m · 4 mapped features
- Principal MonumentstructurePrincipal Monument at Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson) — structure with stratified deposits43.0585° N · 88.8588° W
- Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary Complex at Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson) — complex with stratified deposits43.0592° N · 88.8593° W
- Outlier FeatureoutlierOutlier Feature at Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson) — outlier with stratified deposits43.0613° N · 88.8619° W
- Reservoir/CisternhydraulicReservoir/Cistern at Aztalan — Northwest Platform Mound (Jefferson) — hydraulic with stratified deposits43.0583° N · 88.8605° W
Gallery