In Colonies on the Backside, Jay Stuart Wakefield takes us on a journey through the mysterious mounds of North America, exploring their construction, symbolism, and possible connections to ancient Old World civilizations. These massive earthworks, carefully arranged in geometric patterns and sometimes shaped like animals, stand as silent witnesses to an advanced and highly organized society that flourished long before European contact. Wakefield’s research challenges mainstream archaeology by suggesting that these structures may be part of a broader, global tradition of monumental construction, influenced by early transatlantic contact.
Engineering Marvels: The Immense Scale of Mound Construction
Wakefield highlights the astonishing effort required to build these mounds. Ford and Webb estimated that 980,000 cubic yards of earth were moved to construct them—an amount equivalent to 40 million basket loads. This suggests a highly coordinated workforce with precise engineering knowledge. The Bird Effigy Mound A, for example, is often interpreted as a massive bird in flight, soaring westward. At 70 feet tall, it is second in height only to the Monk’s Mound at Cahokia, which was constructed almost two millennia later.
Excavations have revealed that many of these mounds were built in multiple stages, with platforms being used for unknown periods before additional layers of earth were added. This method hints at a complex social and ceremonial function, where mounds were not just static monuments but living centers of activity that evolved over generations.
Sacred Symbolism: Birds, Thunder, and the Cosmos
The Bird Effigy Mound A is particularly significant due to its bird-like shape, a design element Wakefield connects to multiple ancient civilizations. In Greek mythology, eagles were sacred to Zeus, representing divine authority and power. Similarly, in Egyptian tradition, the falcon was associated with Ra, the Sungod, often depicted as a golden disc rising between the horns of Taurus. The Benu Bird of Ra was not only a symbol of solar creation but also of death and rebirth—paralleling the cyclical nature of mound construction.
Wakefield also references Professor Covey of Wake Forest College, who suggests that these North American mounds were inspired by the gigantic bird effigy at San Lorenzo, Mexico. The resemblance between these structures and similar designs found in Mesoamerica raises intriguing questions: Could there have been cultural exchanges between these regions long before conventional history suggests?
Ancient Comets and the Fear of the Heavens
Another fascinating aspect of Wakefield’s research is his connection between mound-building traditions and celestial events. He cites the work of Milner, author of The Moundbuilders, who argues that these structures reflect northern Native American cosmological beliefs—particularly those concerning Thunderbirds and snakes. These mythological beings were often linked to fearsome celestial phenomena, including the appearance of Comet Encke in 1628 BC.
This comet, which caused significant climate upheaval, was likely perceived as a powerful, destructive force. In many indigenous traditions, snakes represent chaos and danger, while Thunderbirds symbolize protection and balance. The alignment of mound sites with astronomical events suggests that these ancient civilizations were not only master engineers but also skilled astronomers, deeply attuned to the rhythms of the cosmos.
Hidden Histories: The Ohio Eagle Effigy and European Influence?
One of the most intriguing discoveries Wakefield discusses is a spread-wing eagle effigy, 32 feet wide, found inside a mound in Ohio. This effigy was surrounded by standing slabs of stone, a design remarkably similar to European megalithic traditions. The site has since been reburied, but its existence raises compelling questions:
Was this an independent development, or could it reflect contact with ancient transatlantic travelers?
Were Old World cultures influencing mound-building traditions in North America?
Could this be further evidence that ancient mariners—Celts, Phoenicians, or Egyptians—reached the Americas long before Columbus?
Wakefield’s research aligns with his broader argument that global cultural diffusion was far more extensive than mainstream history acknowledges. If stone circles and burial mounds were common in Europe, why wouldn’t similar traditions emerge—or be introduced—on the other side of the Atlantic?
Reinterpreting the Mounds: What Do They Tell Us About the Past?
The mounds of North America are more than just remnants of ancient societies; they are expressions of cosmology, power, and legacy. Wakefield’s Colonies on the Backside invites us to reconsider their significance. Were these structures purely indigenous, or do they hint at early transatlantic exchanges that mainstream historians have overlooked?
By studying these sites with an open mind, we may discover that history is far richer, more interconnected, and more complex than we ever imagined. The mounds whisper of forgotten voyages, celestial wonders, and the enduring human drive to leave a mark on the world—one mound, one stone, and one mystery at a time.