Site Layout

© Photographed July 21, 2015

Aztalan State Park

Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin

43.063353, -88.861921

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Site Layout

The structure of Aztalan suggests deliberate planning on the part of the village's inhabitants. A large stockade encloses the main portion of the site, while a smaller stockade separates the living area from the platform mounds. Stratigraphic information indicates that the residential zone and its stockade were constructed first. Some time later, the platform mounds and surrounding site stockade were built. The mounds were likely built prior to the external stockade assumes as irregular shape around the northwest and southwest mounds. The residential zone appears to have been found in other areas, the extent of residential structures is unclear. Agricultural fields were north of the stockade, and the mounds along what is now the highway had large posts in them, and likely served as markers on the site. Relationships between the mounds and structures in the immediate site area and those across the river or to the west are unknown.

The marker is one of a series of markers located on the grounds of Aztalan State Park, located at N6200 County Rd Q, Jefferson, Wisconsin 53549.

Wisconsin State Park System: Aztalan State Park

Friends of Aztalan State Park

Wisconsin Historical Society: Mississippian Culture and Aztalan

Wisconsin Historical Society Press: Aztalan: Mysteries of an Ancient Indian Town

Aztalan has remained a mystery since the early 19th century when it was discovered by settlers who came to the Crawfish River, 50 miles west of Milwaukee. Who were the early indigenous people who inhabited this place? When did they live here? Why did they disappear? Robert Birmingham and Lynne Goldstein attempt to unlock some of the mysteries, providing insights and information about the group of people who first settled here in 1100 A.D. Filled with maps, drawings, and photographs of artifacts, this volume examines a time before modern Native American people settled in this area.

To receive a review copy or press release, to schedule an author event, or for more information contact the WHS Press Marketing Department:

whspress@wisconsinhistory.org.

Note: This book meets and exceeds the requirements of the Wisconsin American Indian Education Act (Act 31).

The foregoing content used with permission of Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Aztalan is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Wisconsin.

Click here to view all markers at Aztalan State Park.

 The Visitor Center was closed the day of my visit.

The marker is located at Aztalan State Park in Jefferson, Wisconsin.