Our predecessors' connection and devotion to the earth is manifest in the structures they created. Their desire to understand one's place on earth and to connect with the universe and its celestial movements is apparent in native mound sites. There is an undeniable calm inherent in the landscapes of ancient earthworks--a hint at some understanding of balance that has been lost through the centuries. I am thankful that some of these structures remain, but I am curious as to the decisions made in their preservation; sometimes beautifully presented, sometimes disrespectfully. How can we interpret and experience these places accurately when their inhabitants were killed or forced out? In a time of war, we must look to these sites as reminders of past conquests, and of how much is lost when America imposes its values on other nations. |
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