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What was it used for?
There are several thoughts as to what Spanish Hill was used for, the following is one of the current most popular thoughts on the possible uses of the hill during the earliest periods we currently know of. I do not believe that any one of these discounts the possibility of any of the others. Certainly, all of these uses could actually have had their place in the history of Spanish Hill:
Peace Temple
Prayer Mound:
The Mound Builders lived several thousand years ago and they built earth mounds. One of the most famous Adena earthwork is Serpent Mound. It is 5 feet high, 20 feet across, and 1330 feet long. It is formed in the shape of a snake. I guess that snakes are quite commonly used as signs of the Manitou, but usually has evil, haunting, or bad connotations.
Many people do not realize that the Mound Builders made 4 different types of mounds. Click here for more info.
Evidence of ceremonial use?
There are artifacts found that support this theory as in the ceremonial items that have been found on top and on the flats below the hill. See Ted Keir's collection.
Ellsworth Cowle's collection also has some very unique items such as the following amulet (shown larger than actual size so that you can see the carvings on it) that was found between the hill and the river in 1908:(BTW - the red "blood-like" smear on this will not wash off...)
Village Site vs. Temple Mound/Ceremonial Use
A handful of researchers have held the belief that the top of Spanish Hill did not have enough "archeological evidence" to represent a village site. And to tell you the truth, you have never seen a page on this site where I ever made the claim that it was either. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Champlain said "Carantouan" was a nation made up of three villages and he places them separate from the fortified area on the west branch. (to read more about this - click here)
To me, the "lack of evidence" to support that it was a village site may just support that it was used for something such as a Temple Mound or Great Meeting Place instead. We all must agree that Champlain also shows it as "something other than a village site " as well. But you must not forget that there was burnt earth found, pottery shards, as well as the fortifications shows that represents something significant WAS there.
Other Temple Mounds
The Temple Mounds that I have been able to find do indeed seem to look alot like Spanish Hill. (see below)
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Other Temple Mounds:
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Cahokia, near St. Louis |
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Lyra, Ohio |
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Hiwassee Island, Tennessee |
This is how the temple may have looked atop Hiwassee's Temple Mound thousands of years ago.
Click here to see another rendition of a temple mound in Texas.
Whether or not you tend to believe any of this - you have to agree that Spanish Hill does look very much like the other hills. Without more investigations, we will never know the answer.
| Spanish Hill | Cahokia Temple Mound | |
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My thoughts as how this MAY relate to story of Carantouan:
This is just one of those theories I throw around once in a while, but thought I'd share it with you....
When Etienne Brule came to Carantouan, his path marked on Champlain's map seems to suggest he went to the large fortified area, which I believe was Spanish Hill.
Remember - Upon his arrival to this place, Brule was said to have been met with great celebration - which lasted a couple of days...AFTER WHICH it was decided to send the 500 warriors. After this they still had to "collect" the warriors and arm them (this was the reason they were late for the battle!)
Question: Does this suggest that some sort of ceremony was performed in order for the Carantouans to make the decision to send their warriors?
To tell you the truth - we have no way of knowing...but I find it interesting at any rate!
Already Recognized as a Temple Mound?
The following is a map of known Mound Builder mounds in the mid 1970's by Dr. Jessie Jennings. Dr. Jennings was a very well respected professional in the field of archeology and anthropology. Interestingly, Spanish Hill is marked as one of these locations.
Evidence of Ancient Usage:
Interestingly, Ellsworth Cowles uncovered a "prehistoric village site" at the south base of the hill, which was claimed to be "Owasco" by the archeologists of the day - with an effigy hearth and palisades.
http://www.spanishhill.com/Historians/Ellsworth.htm
One Person's Claims:
A gentleman claiming to be Chief Lightfoot Talking Eagle, and a graduate of Yale and thought to be the last Susquehannock alive in the 1960's, but later rebuked, made the following statements in an article in the Evening Times in July, 1966.
"The following information may be helpful to you and your associates n your efforts to save the Susquehannock Bear Clan Peace Temple prayer mound, mistakenly called "Spanish Hill" and to have it rededicated to it's pre-Columbian purpose as a sacred hill upon which peace and brotherhood ceremonials were conducted.
During our conversation over the talking wires last night was pointed up that at one time a temple and a Holy of Holies stood on top of the mound. These should be restored to their original purpose as proposed in Micah 4:1 8, Zachariah 8:3, and Isaiah 2:2 to 4, Isaiah 13-32.
The sacred hill or mound south of Waverly is one of the Biblical references listed above. There are many such on this hemisphere that must be restored and rededicated to their original purpose before the truth and lasting peace can come to Earth. The Susquehannock (Andaste) Bear Clan Mound in the beautiful "Valley of Peace" is one such mounds."
Want to read more about Temple Mounds?
Of course you can read alot just using Google - but I found this book, "Tribes that Slumber" quite helpful. It is about the Tennessee region, but I learned alot about the ancient Native Americans from this book as it follows a timeline chapter by chapter.
TRIBES THAT SLUMBER. Indians of the Tennessee Region. T. Lewis and M. Kneberg. Nomadic Hunters of the Ice Age, Archaic Era, Early Woodland Indians, Burial Mound Builders, Age of Temple Mound, "People of One Fire", The Great Busk, "Children of the Sun", "Principal People", and The Sacred Seven.
Please use the following links to learn more about what we know about the hill today:
Spanish Hill is currently private property - no trespassing is advised.