Charity Moore Norton
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When I moved to West Virginia in 2013, just out of grad school and anxious to learn more about the local archaeology, it didn’t take long to be introduced to the idea that West Virginia was too rugged and remote for Native Americans to live here permanently. I was told that the … Read more
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — After learning about my series of articles on West Virginia prehistory in West Virginia Explorer Magazine, Olivia Jones, an adjunct anthropology instructor who recently joined the museum’s archaeological staff, suggested that we work together to address common misconceptions about “giant” Native Americans interred in West Virginia’s burial mounds. What is the “giant” myth? … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Some of the most common requests fielded by the Council for West Virginia Archaeology come from members of the public who have found what may or may not be an archaeological site. Invariably, there’s a lot of excitement as the mystery of the site begins to take hold. How old might it … Read more
The term “moundbuilder” is often used to describe two ancient cultures that archaeologists now know as the Adena and the Hopewell. These peoples lived in eastern North America from approximately 500 B.C. to A.D. 500. Their monumental earthworks captured the imaginations of explorers and continue to fascinate us today. Many mounds remain throughout West Virginia … Read more
Editor’s Note: If you’re familiar with the outdoors in West Virginia, you’ve likely seen rocks piled in what might seem “the middle of nowhere.” Many were stacked by settlers and farmers, but others are prehistoric and sacred, according to archaeologist Charity Moore, who’s cataloging their forms and locations. During a routine archaeological survey in Doddridge … Read more
When tourists arrive in Moundsville, West Virginia, they often come to see the massive Grave Creek Adena burial mound or tour the infamous West Virginia Penitentiary. Few may notice the small stone structures at the base of the mound across from the prison or know of the link between them. The small sandstone structure is … Read more
