The Red Ocher Culture spanned the Late Archaic and Early Woodland stages in the Great Lakes region. The name comes from their blood red pigment made from grinding hematite up. They used this pigment in their burials, one of which is this mound, near the Mississippi River. This particular mound is probably about 3,000 years old.

As I walked past, I spotted a bald eagle. According to some Native American beliefs, if you see an animal with strong energy such as an eagle or wolf near a burial site, it is the spirits telling you that they approve of you being there. Thus, this was quite an experience.