Illinois Route 84 South,
Albany
309/788-0177 Open: Dawn - Dusk
One
of the most important archaeological sites in Illinois, Albany
Mounds contains evidence of continuous human occupation over the
last 10,000 years. The Albany Mounds date from the Middle Woodland
(Hopewell) period (200 BCE-CE 300), older than either the Cahokia
or Dickson Mounds of the Mississippian period. While still obtaining
food largely through hunting and gathering, Woodland peoples began
practicing basic horticulture of native plants. Woodland peoples
are distinguished from earlier inhabitants by the development
of pottery and the building of raised mounds near large villages
for death and burial ceremonies.
The only Middle Woodland site owned by the state,
Albany Mounds originally was made up of ninety-six burial mounds.
At least thirty-nine of the mounds remain in good condition, while
eight have been partially destroyed through erosion, excavation,
or cultivation. Burial artifacts include non-local materials, indicating
the existence of trading networks with Native Americans from other
areas. The site of the nearby village remains privately owned. The
mounds were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in
1974.
In the 1990s the site was “restored”
to a natural appearance and a prairie of about one hundred acres
established. The site also contains a parking lot and picnic shelter,
walking trails, and interpretive signs along a bike trail. The Friends
of the Albany Indian Mounds Foundation is dedicated to the preservation
and interpretation of the site.
Amy Martin, Director
Board
of Trustees
Sunny Fischer, Chair
Daniel J. Arnold
Julia Sniderman Bachrach
D. Jeanie Cooke
Melinda Spitzer Johnston
Anthony J. Leone, Jr.
Dr. Shirley J. Portwood
One
of the most important archaeological sites in Illinois, Albany
Mounds contains evidence of continuous human occupation over the
last 10,000 years. The Albany Mounds date from the Middle Woodland
(Hopewell) period (200 BCE-CE 300), older than either the Cahokia
or Dickson Mounds of the Mississippian period. While still obtaining
food largely through hunting and gathering, Woodland peoples began
practicing basic horticulture of native plants. Woodland peoples
are distinguished from earlier inhabitants by the development
of pottery and the building of raised mounds near large villages
for death and burial ceremonies. 
