Bigfoot & Burial Mounds

In early-June of this year, I visited southern Ohio to explore a number of Hopewell and Adena burial mounds and ceremonial earthwork sites. The visit brought to mind a theory that I mentioned in my book Wild & Wonderful (and Paranormal) West Virginia. In the book, I speculated that the many mounds in the Mountain State might have something to do with what I consider to be a disproportionate amount of paranormal activity that takes place in West Virginia.

So, what do the Mound Builders and their earthworks have to do with paranormal activity and even cryptid sightings? To answer that, I think, first, we must accept that many cryptids may be better explained with a paranormal interpretation. This goes for Bigfoot, too. It is anathema to many Bigfoot researchers to suggest that the creature might be something other than a flesh-and-blood great ape, but a paranormal interpretation may be a better fit—at least in many instances. Consider the following:

---After 51 years, with all the advances in technology, the Patterson-Gimlin film is still the gold standard for a Bigfoot video clip. Think about that, 51 years.

---Credible photographs of the creature are lacking.

---With all of the people out looking, there is still no concrete, irrefutable evidence for the existence of the creature. Period. No matter what anyone tells you, there isn’t.

---A Bigfoot has never been proven to be killed by an automobile—strange considering the amount of sightings that include the creature crossing the road.

---A body has never been found. Nor have any bones been recovered.

Many reports include things that a lot of “squatchers” will leave out—anomalous bursts of light at the conclusion of the sighting, UFO reports in the same area around the same time, light forms in the sky, etc.

Sometimes, glowing red eyes are described. The glowing eyes are not eye shine—the product of a light source such as a flashlight reflecting off the eyes—the eyes glow on their own independently.

Witnesses often report intense paralyzing fear, which is understandable, but in many cases, experiencers are deeply traumatized long after the encounter. This is more consistent with something paranormal rather than a chance encounter with an animal. Many who are even attacked by wild animals are not traumatized to the degree of some of those who have had Bigfoot encounters.

There are reports in which a sighting includes disturbances with the electrical systems of the witness’ car or the flickering of lights.

I could continue on with my list for paragraphs, but these few examples are enough to show that, at least in some instances, it might be time to rethink the yet-to-be-discovered, flesh-and-blood animal interpretation of the phenomenon. Theories have been offered—some which seem plausible—to explain these anomalies, things such as: Bigfoot has somehow evolved over time and developed glowing eyes; Bigfoot is capable of using infrasound; the creature buries its dead; and more. But, to me, why not at least consider the paranormal?

Please understand what I am saying and what I am not saying. I believe it is entirely possible that an unknown large ape-like animal is roaming the forests of North America—especially the Pacific Northwest and parts of the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains. However, I do not believe that an unknown animal fits in many cases. What I am saying is this: we don’t know. And, since we don’t know, all explanations and any way of looking at the phenomenon should be on the table.

Moving on to the connection to Indian burial mounds, which are notorious hotbeds for strange activity, we should look at a map of mound distribution throughout the eastern United States. Keep in mind, these are only the known mound sites as recorded by the Bureau of Ethnology during their mound survey.

Now, let us examine state ranking for Bigfoot sightings as compiled on July 3, 2018 using the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) database:

1.Washington, 652

2.California, 427

3.Florida, 323

4.Illinois, 298

5.Ohio, 287

6.Oregon, 249

7.Texas, 235

8.Michigan, 216

9.Missouri, 143

10.Georgia, 132

11.Colorado, 123

12.Pennsylvania, 116

13.Kentucky, 110

14.New York, 105

15.West Virginia, 101

16 & 17 Arkansas & Tennessee, 99

18.Alabama, 98

19.North Carolina, 96

20.Oklahoma, 95

Notice anything? You should! Taking out the Pacific Northwest, California, and Colorado, and nearly all of the remaining “Top 20” have high concentrations of burial mounds.