This photo, taken in 1894, was claimed to be a Native American mound in Pomfret, but the site was forgotten and lost until “found” 129 years later in 2023 on the outskirts of Fredonia.

Is Fredonia looking at a historical discovery of a magnitude not seen by archeologists in decades? Time and research will hopefully answer this question as the story continues to unfold from the fall of 2023 and moves forward.

In 1894, a photographer captured the image of what was claimed to be a mysterious Native American mound in the township of Pomfret. Mounds of various sizes were a common sight by local and county residents in the 19th century, with many excavated and artifacts carried away. Sadly, most locations were cleared away over the years and lost to history.

However, by a series of incredible and unique circumstances coming together, the site of the 1894 photograph, which was also lost to history and the location unknown, was rediscovered 129 years later in September of 2023 on the outskirts of Fredonia by a local landowner and author of this article.

“I had some familiarity of the photograph from the book “Pomfret – Images of America,” which is described on page 119 and was one of the first clues,” the land owner said, who wishes not to be named. “As it turns out, my family has been living at the foot of it for many years.

“Excitement would be an understatement of the emotion I experienced at this realization. I immediately began researching the possibilities that the geographical anomaly was indeed the one in the photo, and if so, what location was it taken from using clues in the photo to help verify the theory. This initially included enlisting the sleuthing help of my brother and an archeologist from Ohio. The goal was and continues to be twofold, which is to restore the historical record and to protect and preserve it from any future development.”

The archeologist determined with near 100% certainty the mound in the photo matched a current photo by using various computer technology and mathematical calculations. Furthermore, the owner’s brother spotted something distinct in the photo including a creek line and a house obscured through the trees. Coincidentally, this old farmhouse, located adjacent to the main property, had been purchased by us in 2021 and has been gradually restored from its beginnings at or before 1850.

Once this was determined, the near exact location from which the photo was taken 130 years ago was also pinpointed a short distance from the old house. Shortly thereafter, satellite, drone, and LiDAR images were studied to look at the expanse of the mound and its surroundings for patterns within the area’s topography for other possible mounds in the vicinity. LiDAR is a remote sensing technology that uses laser beams and reflected light to measure distances and create maps and 3D models. This technology is used in numerous fields, but archeologists have found it helpful in examining the landscape. New York state has collected LiDAR imaging throughout the state, which was accessed for this endeavor using GPS compass coordinates. When expanded outward, other “anomalies” were spotted, suggesting a pattern of possible mounds and earthworks in the same area, which was typical of mound builders.

Ancient indigenous groups of people built earthen mounds. Archeologists have determined that many of them were burial sites. Others may also have been used for ceremonial purposes and fortifications, particularly at higher elevations.

One well known group of mound builders are called the Hopewell. They were a Native American people that lived approximately from 100 BCE to 500 CE, connected along waterways and trading routes including Western New York. Ohio is considered the heartland of this population which has documented and protected sites such as the ones found in Newark. Adena mound builders predated the Hopewell from about 500 BCE to 100 CE. It has been proposed that the local mound, if a mound, may be Hopewell, and two smaller ones nearby, possibly Adena, along with some other “suspicious” rises in the surrounding landscape. It’s possible they could be from something even older.

“Motivated by the goal of historic preservation and protection, I reached out to a small handful of people to help determine the authenticity of the 130-year-old claim. Threats include the increasing trend of destructive and irreversible damage to invaluable land in rural areas from indiscriminate wind and solar farms, which at best conduct superficial impact studies, if at all, along with further residential development at the site,” the owner said. “Unfortunately, some of the latter has occurred, although a large portion is undisturbed on our portion of the site. One contact was a Seneca friend who studies this era of regional Native history. Another was a historian to see if the original photo could be located for additional clues as to who the photographer was and his background in ancient Native people.

“Taken in the context of that time, this photographer would likely have first-hand knowledge of mound discoveries. The photo was found at the Chautauqua County Historical Society located in Westfield and coincidentally, the historian’s master’s concentration is the Hopewell Mound Builders. The back of the original photo is inscribed with ‘Indian Mound, near Fredonia, taken July 1894.’ ”

The name of the person who donated it long ago, is also written on the back. He may have been associated with a well-known archeologist of the time who excavated several mounds in the local area, thus he or someone had a reason to take the photograph. It has been determined that the donor was 32 years old at the time it was taken.

Another contact was the University of Buffalo’s Department of Anthropology to enlist people with specific expertise to help further investigate, including a doctoral student. This group of people recently met to formulate a plan of action to move forward with field research to include a more in-depth analysis of on-site features, interviewing longtime residents to collect oral histories of their grandparents, etc., despite a measure of skepticism expressed by two other knowledgeable people in this field of study.

The opposite claim is proposed due to the sheer magnitude in size of the mound and the workforce it would have required, making it more likely to be a natural geographical feature, in their professional opinion, although they have not yet come to the site to make observations. However, its shape and overall look certainly mirror other known mounds in Ohio and elsewhere. If a mound, it would dwarf others known in New York and Ohio. There is no denying that the prospect of a new discovery expanding our knowledge of ancient people, living their daily lives in a number that was quite populated right here on the outskirts of Fredonia, where we live so many centuries later, is exciting indeed.

Regarding the130-year-old photo, the location has been rediscovered and is no longer a mystery. Is it an ancient mound built by ancient people at the time of Christ and the Roman Empire across the globe? Is it a naturally created rise, albeit perfectly smooth and symmetrical with no rocks jutting out?

Either way, it offers a near 180-degree view of Lake Erie and a feeling of intrigue and mystique when ascending it. Absolutes may not be determined. Proving it is a mound or proving it isn’t a mound both have their challenges. Rest assured that the goal remains the same to preserve, protect, and respect the area if it is a mound. For this reason, the exact location and people involved is being kept confidential at this point until more is known. Stay tuned.

Questions or comments through the OBSERVER may be noted by the landowner and group, particularly if they add to the research base of information. Send those to editorial@observertoday.com