It was constructed roughly between 250 and 150 B.C.
Local excavations in 1883 were overseen by the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of Ethnology.
The mound is composed of tens of thousands of basket-carried loads of earth.
It is the second largest mound in West Virginia, trailing only the Grave Creek Mound.
The structure originally featured a wooden burial vault at its core.
Modern urban development has completely obliterated the ancient circular earthwork that once surrounded the mound.
Criel Mound is one of the largest remaining conical burial mounds built by the Adena culture, a prehistoric Native American civilization that inhabited the Ohio River Valley. Rising approximately 33 feet in height with a base diameter of 175 feet, it serves as a prominent landmark in downtown South Charleston. Archeological excavations in the late 19th century revealed skeletons, stone ornaments, and copper bracelets, providing critical data on Adena burial practices and social stratification. The mound sits within a public park, allowing visitors to walk to the summit for an elevated view of the surrounding city. It is recognized as a significant archaeological site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original complex likely included several smaller mounds and a circular earthwork enclosure, most of which were leveled during the 19th-century urban expansion of South Charleston.
The view from the top of the mound looking down toward the South Charleston community buildings.
Wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes for the climb to the summit.
Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture the full scale of the mound from the base.
Visit during the fall or spring to avoid overgrown vegetation and high summer humidity.
Do not attempt to dig or remove any materials, as this is a protected archaeological site.
Respect the site as a burial ground; do not climb on the grassy slopes outside of designated paths.
