
Platform pipes Save

Description: Photograph showing platform pipes recovered at Edwin Harness Mound, ca. 1903.
The Edwin Harness Mound was located south of Chillicothe in Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio. It was the largest of the 14 mounds associated with the nearly 100-acre Liberty Earthworks, a complex dating to late in the Hopewell Period (post-A.D 300). In their 1840s survey, Squier and Davis described the mound as egg-shaped in plan (about 100 x 180 feet) with the larger end toward the north. It was measured at 20 feet high at the north end, sloping to 11 feet at the south end. Like many large Hopewell burial mounds in Ohio, the Harness Mound was repeatedly investigated throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to the recovery of numerous burials and the a variety of related artifacts. The last fieldwork at the site took place in the 1970s in advance of the area being reclaimed for agricultural purposes. Archaeologists dug below the base level of the mound and discovered it had been constructed over the remains of two very large conjoined post structures, most likely ceremonial houses or perhaps a single great house. The houses each measured about 30 x 40 feet connected by a 10 x 10 foot passageway, reminiscent of how Hopewell earthworks in general were laid out. Additionally, numerous artifacts diagnostic of the Hopewell culture were recovered and radiocarbon dates ranging between A.D. 330 and A.D. 470 place the Edwin Harness Mound near the extreme end of the Hopewell sequence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV17_B02F05_E5_01
Subjects: Edwin Harness Mound (Ohio); Earthworks (Archaeology); Hopewell Culture (A.D. 1–400); Excavations (Archaeology)--Ohio; Artifacts; Pipes (Smoking);
Places: Ross County (Ohio)
Image ID: AV17_B02F05_E5_01
Subjects: Edwin Harness Mound (Ohio); Earthworks (Archaeology); Hopewell Culture (A.D. 1–400); Excavations (Archaeology)--Ohio; Artifacts; Pipes (Smoking);
Places: Ross County (Ohio)
Harness Mound pipes photograph Save

Description: Photograph showing tubular and platform pipes recovered at Edwin Harness Mound, ca. 1903.
The Edwin Harness Mound was located south of Chillicothe in Liberty Township, Ross County, Ohio. It was the largest of the 14 mounds associated with the nearly 100-acre Liberty Earthworks, a complex dating to late in the Hopewell Period (post-A.D 300). In their 1840s survey, Squier and Davis described the mound as egg-shaped in plan (about 100 x 180 feet) with the larger end toward the north. It was measured at 20 feet high at the north end, sloping to 11 feet at the south end. Like many large Hopewell burial mounds in Ohio, the Harness Mound was repeatedly investigated throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to the recovery of numerous burials and the a variety of related artifacts. The last fieldwork at the site took place in the 1970s in advance of the area being reclaimed for agricultural purposes. Archaeologists dug below the base level of the mound and discovered it had been constructed over the remains of two very large conjoined post structures, most likely ceremonial houses or perhaps a single great house. The houses each measured about 30 x 40 feet connected by a 10 x 10 foot passageway, reminiscent of how Hopewell earthworks in general were laid out. Additionally, numerous artifacts diagnostic of the Hopewell culture were recovered and radiocarbon dates ranging between A.D. 330 and A.D. 470 place the Edwin Harness Mound near the extreme end of the Hopewell sequence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AV17_B02F05_E5_11
Subjects: Edwin Harness Mound (Ohio); Earthworks (Archaeology); Hopewell Culture (A.D. 1–400); Excavations (Archaeology)--Ohio; Artifacts; Pipes (Smoking);
Places: Ross County (Ohio)
Image ID: AV17_B02F05_E5_11
Subjects: Edwin Harness Mound (Ohio); Earthworks (Archaeology); Hopewell Culture (A.D. 1–400); Excavations (Archaeology)--Ohio; Artifacts; Pipes (Smoking);
Places: Ross County (Ohio)
Hawk effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: This pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a hawk was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. It was identified by archeologist William C. Mills as an eagle. Made of light gray or pale brown coral limestone, the curvature of the pipe platform is greater than other effigy pipes found within Tremper Mound. The pipe measures approximately 2.2" x 2.15" x 4.88" (5.5 x 5.2 x 12.3 cm). This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper. In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1763334_017
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Hawks; Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1763334_017
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Hawks; Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Elbow pipe from Whittlesey Culture (A.D. 1000-1650) Save

Description: This item is a small ceramic elbow pipe. Bottom edge of pipe stem is slightly excurvate, sides rounded, bowl rounded with a 17.8 mm opening at top of bowl, sides of bowl are thin. There is a small, teardrop-shaped hole in the top of the stem near the base of the bowl. Item was found in Butler County, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07440
Subjects: Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; American Indian history and society; Pipes (Smoking)
Places: Butler County (Ohio)
Image ID: AL07440
Subjects: Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; American Indian history and society; Pipes (Smoking)
Places: Butler County (Ohio)
Effigy pipe from Mississippian Culture Save

Description: Large pipe has a human head effigy resting on an oval platform. The pipe bowl is in the top of the head. The stem would have been inserted into the open mouth of effigy. Eyes are surrounded by distinctive weeping eye motif. The nose projects from the face, but the ears are close to the head. Made of sandstone, the pipe is a very dark gray. Item was found in Hamilton County, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07441
Subjects: Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; Pipes (Smoking); American Indian history; Artifacts
Places: Hamilton County (Ohio)
Image ID: AL07441
Subjects: Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; Pipes (Smoking); American Indian history; Artifacts
Places: Hamilton County (Ohio)
Quail effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: This pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a quail was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. The bird stands on the platform. The bowl of the pipe was wrapped with copper in prehistoric times, and the eyes were likely inset with copper. The pipe, which measures approximately 1.75" x 1.45" x 2.9" (4.5 x 3.6 x 7.4 cm), is made of a very dark gray stone. This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper. In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1764244_056
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Quails; Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1764244_056
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Quails; Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Raccoon effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: This pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a raccoon was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. The animal is seated on its haunches with its left paw in a crayfish hole. The raccoon's eyes are drilled and set with copper. The tip of the nose and right ear have been restored, as has the left side of platform. The pipe measures 1.5" x 2" x 3.5" (3.81 x 5.08 x 8.89 cm). This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper. In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1136415_064
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Raccoons
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1136415_064
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Raccoons
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Wildcat effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: This pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a wildcat was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. The cat crouches on platform with legs flexed. One ear projects from head. Some parts of the pipe have been restored. Made of olive-gray stone with black and brown mottling, the pipe measures approximately 1.67" x 1.45" x 3.5" (4.15 x 3.6 x 8.8 cm). This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper. In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1764596_085
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Felidae
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1764596_085
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Felidae
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Elbow pipe from Fort Ancient Culture Save

Description: L-shaped limestone pipe has a tall tubular bowl that tapers slightly at the bottom. There are two incised lines at the top. The bottom of the pipe is flat. The mouthpiece is square. Short parallel lines are incised on the straight sides of the bottom edges and on the top edges of the mouthpiece. The pipe is grayish brown with areas of white and gray. It has concretions throughout, but more on the bottom section than the top. There are several chips missing from the body and one large chip missing from the opening of the mouthpiece. Item was excavated from the O.C. Voss Mound in Franklin County, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07461
Subjects: Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; American Indians--Archaeology; Pipes (Smoking); Fort Ancient Culture (A.D. 1000–1650)
Places: Franklin County (Ohio)
Image ID: AL07461
Subjects: Ohio History--Natural and Native Ohio; American Indians--Archaeology; Pipes (Smoking); Fort Ancient Culture (A.D. 1000–1650)
Places: Franklin County (Ohio)
Squirrel effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: Made of dark gray sandstone, this pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a squirrel was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. The squirrel is seated erect with its head forward and forelegs against its chest. Slight modeling suggests hind legs. The paws on all four feet are identified by parallel incised lines. The squirrel's tail is erect against the back, and the hairs of the tail are indicated by parallel oblique incised lines. The mouth and eyes are shown as incised lines, and its ears project above the head. The effigy was broken off the platform, and a slight amount of restoration was done on animal's right pelvis and on underside of platform at mouthpiece end. The effigy pipe measures approximately 1.5" x 3.5" x 1.25" (3.81 x 8.89 x 3.18 cm). This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper. In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1136476_071
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Squirrels
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1136476_071
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Squirrels
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Falcon effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: This pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a falcon was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. Archaeologist William C. Mills identified this effigy as a "paroquete." The bird stands on the pipe platform with wings folded and wing tips crossed over tail. Its head is turned perpendicular to the long axis of the platform. It has drilled eyes with inset pearls. The tip of tail was broken in prehistoric times. Pipe was broken off the platform, which also broke into pieces. It has been repaired. Some restoration has been done to the platform. The pipe measures approximately 1.66" x 2.5" x 3.25" (4 x 6.4 x 8.4 cm).
This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper.
In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1763320_031
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1763320_031
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Wood duck effigy pipe photograph Save

Description: This pipe in effigy (a likeness or representation) of a wood duck was excavated from Tremper Mound, a Hopewell culture site located five miles north of Portsmouth in Scioto County. Made of dark gray stone, it shows the head of the duck only. Eyes are drilled and inset with copper. Some parts of the pipe have been restored. This pipe is part of a large collection of pipes found at Tremper Mound. The pipes were carved of Ohio pipestone, a silica-based material that can be easily carved when freshly quarried from the hills east of the Scioto River. The pipes represent a variety of animals significant to the Hopewell, including owls, wolves, deer and beaver. Skilled Hopewell craftsmen carved the pipes with flint knives and some are embellished with pearls or copper. In Ohio, the Hopewell Indians (100 B.C.-A.D. 500) built burial mounds and large earthen enclosures in geometric shapes (circles, squares, and octagons) to mark the places where the people gathered periodically to participate in many social and ceremonial events. Some of these sites were quite large--the Newark Earthworks complex extends over a 4-square-mile area. The Hopewell people also maintained a large trade network extending as far as the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, the Florida coast and Appalachians, and northern Lake Superior. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1357_1764606_015
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Ducks; Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)
Image ID: Om1357_1764606_015
Subjects: American Indians in Ohio; Plants and Animals; Arts and Entertainment; Geography and Natural Resources; Hopewell culture; Mounds (Burials); Pipes (Smoking); Ducks; Birds
Places: Rush Township (Ohio); Scioto County (Ohio)