Mound Building refers to the construction of earthen mounds by prehistoric Native American cultures across North America. These mounds served various purposes, including as burial sites, platforms for public ceremonies, and as the foundations for important buildings. Mound Building is considered one of the most remarkable achievements of prehistoric North American cultures, and the mounds themselves are often considered to be among the most significant archaeological sites in the world. The mounds were built by hand, using baskets and shovels made from wood, bone, and stone. The construction of the mounds required a significant amount of labor and organization, and it is believed that the building of the mounds was often a communal effort. The largest mounds, such as the Great Serpent Mound in Ohio and Cahokia Mounds in Illinois, required the work of hundreds or even thousands of people over a period of many years. The construction of the mounds varied widely depending on the culture and the intended purpose of the mound. Some mounds were built in the shape of animals or other symbols, while others were simply large earthen platforms. The materials used to construct the mounds also varied, with some cultures using soil and clay, while others used stones and other materials.
Earthen mounds, Native American cultures, archaeological sites, communal effort, Great Serpent Mound, Cahokia Mounds, construction, prehistoric North America
CITATION : "Christopher Martin. 'Mound Building.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=301443 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
Mound Building is an architecture and art movement of the 21st century, characterized by its interest in creating hybridized forms from pre-existing materials and objects. Founded by the artist and designer collective Mound Building, the group's style combines architectural elements, surrealist-inspired objects, and digital technology. They created a body of artwork that is showcased in major galleries around the world and is informed by their collaborative process. Notable works by Mound Building include their 2017 installation 'The House that Spoke a Thousand Languages' at the Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, their 2020 mural 'The Cloud of Uncertainty' in Paris, and their 2021 augmented reality project 'The Sky is No Limit.'
Contemporary Art, Design, Augmented Reality
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