Highlights Archives
Solving the Mysteries of Aztalan
In the early 19th century, white settlers to western Michigan Territory — now called Wisconsin — made a discovery that would confound scientists and the public for nearly a century. Along the Crawfish River, 50 miles west of the new village called Milwaukee, immigrants to southern Wisconsin stumbled upon the burned ruins of a massive fortification enclosing flat-topped earthen mounds — smaller versions of fine stone structures found in Mexico and Central America. Because of the resemblance, it was dubbed "Aztalan."
Who were the early indigenous people who inhabited this place? When did they live here? Why did they disappear? Authors Robert Birmingham and Lynne Goldstein attempt to unlock some of these mysteries in their new book, Aztalan: Mysteries of an Ancient Indian Town. The authors detail past and ongoing research by archaeologists, examine the origins of the town and its demise, and provide insights about the group of people who first settled in this area in A.D. 1100.
The authors believe this first modern book on Aztalan provides a good introduction for visitors and will draw more attention to this unique site. Birmingham calls the site "Wisconsin's Stonehenge" since there are still many mysteries to stir the imagination. Goldstein, who has researched at or around Aztalan for nearly 30 years, hopes readers gain a greater appreciation for the complexity of the people who lived at Aztalan and the degree of organization required for planning the layout of the town, building the mounds, and creating the artifacts.
Enriched with maps, drawings and photographs of artifacts, the book provides a tour of the site showing the fascinating intricacies of Aztalan's structure and plan. It also explores the cultural landscape, customs and lifestyle of these early settlers.
The book includes a description of the efforts to preserve the remains of the town as Wisconsin's most prominent archaeological site. While some of Aztalan's mysteries have been solved, many questions remain. New information is continually emerging from archaeologists' research. As it does, the story of Aztalan, the northern outpost of the Mississippian Indians, will continue to unfold.
To learn more about Aztalan: Mysteries of an Ancient Indian Town, visit the Wisconsin Historical Museum store. Author Bob Birmingham will also be the featured speaker at several upcoming events in 2006.
You can also explore Aztalan's history in the Society's online collection, Turning Points in Wisconsin History, which includes a background essay on the people who built Aztalan as well as all of the 19th-century attempts to explain its origins.
Nathaniel Hyer published the first description of Aztalan in 1837, sparking public interest in Wisconsin's archaeology. Hyer's article prompted more careful scientific investigations by Stephen Taylor and Increase Lapham, but their works would not be published for several years, giving ample time for more imaginative theories to appear.
In 1838 William Sterling tried to investigate Aztalan's origins and reported his findings to Dr. C.V. Porter. The following year another visitor devised his own theory about Aztalan. The anonymous author claimed that Native Americans could never have built such a sophisticated community, suggesting instead that Asians or Europeans must have built the mounds. His article was used several years later to support the hypothesis that the builders of Aztalan were an ancient race described in the Book of Mormon who would later settle in Mexico.
Today Aztalan is a state park near the town of Lake Mills. Many of the original mounds are preserved, and portions of the stockade have been re-created. These recent photos show its major features and general setting along the Crawfish River.
:: Posted January 25, 2006
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