Ozier Mound

The dating of Ozier Mound helped establish that platform mounds occurred in the earlier Woodland Tradition and not only in the later Mississippian, which had previously been known for this type of construction. Ozier Mound, also called Mound 5, is a large flat-topped or platform mound with a ramp access to the platform. Its ramp is the earliest known example of a feature that became common in Mississippian Tradition mounds 1000 years later. The mound was constructed in at least six stages, and each successive summit was covered with a thin layer of white sand. Exotic materials such as copper, mica, and non-local chert were found in association with the summit, suggesting ritual use.

Tennessee · United States