Rock Eagle Effigy Mound
Rock Eagle Mound Putnam County
Archaic–Woodland 1000 BCE–1000 CE·Woodland / Archaic·🇺🇸 Georgia, United States
About
About Rock Eagle Effigy Mound
Archaic–Woodland effigy mound (1000 BCE–1000 CE, likely 1000–500 BCE) of white milky quartz cobbles depicting a soaring eagle: wingspan ~36.5 m (120 ft), length 31 m beak to tail, breast 3 m high, built on natural ridge. One of only two quartz effigy mounds known (paired with Rock Hawk). Cremation burial yielded marine shell; adopted by UGA 4-H; surrounded by granite outcrop enclosure interpreted as calendrical bird-of-prey cult.
Why it mattersOne of two eastern quartz effigy mounds (with Rock Hawk) demonstrating Archaic bird-symbol continuity to SECC falcon.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Exact chronology without radiocarbon (quartz not datable)
- 02Raptor species identification eagle vs buzzard
Theories
- 01Effigy mound as territorial avian clan totem
- 02Hopewellian raptor cult early fluorescence model
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.1000–500 BCE (Woodland–Archaic; radiocarbon limited)
- Period
- Archaic–Woodland 1000 BCE–1000 CE
- Culture
- Woodland / Archaic
- Builders
- Woodland peoples
- Purpose
- Effigy burial mound and territorial marker, possible avian cosmology theater
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1000–500 BCE (Woodland–Archaic; radiocarbon limited)
Initial construction
c. 1389 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
33.4217° N · 83.3819° W · 170 m · 2 mapped features
Rock Eagle Effigy Mound central feature
featureMain architectural feature
33.4217° N · 83.3819° WRock Eagle Effigy Mound secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
33.4227° N · 83.3809° W
Gallery