Uncovering the Mystery Behind the Trempealeau Mounds
With the help of 11 UW-Madison students and six local volunteers, Danielle Benden, senior curator in the UW-Madison Department of Anthropology, is working to uncover the mystery behind the Trempealeau mounds. These flat-topped mounds were created 1,000 years ago by people who apparently felt safe because there is no sign of defensive earthworks or palisades. The current working hypothesis is that the area was founded by a small group of people who were focused on setting up a religious mission. Besides learning about the history of the area, Benden’s goal is make people in Wisconsin aware of the archaeology that is in their own state through presentations which have thus far attracted between 50 and 100 people each.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Danielle Benden
Senior Curator Of Anthropology
- Department/Unit
- Anthropology
- School or College
- College of Letters & Science