The human history of the land occupied by what is now Iowa began long before it became a state, and many remnants of that history can still be found in Iowa's countryside, sometimes in the form of earthwork. Earthwork in Iowa, which includes burial mound sites, offers a glimpse into some of the earliest inhabitants of this landscape. While the most well-known example of the rich Native American tradition of earthwork in the Hawkeye State can be seen at Effigy Mounds National Monument, you'll also find evidence of these intriguing structures on a smaller scale near the town of Wapello and the confluence of the Iowa and Mississippi Rivers. Pay a visit to Toolesboro Mounds National Historic Landmark and State Preserve, step back in time, and discover why this is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites and mysterious places in Iowa.

Iowa is home to many fascinating natural and historic landmarks, but few are as haunting as this one located on the outskirts of Wapello.

As you approach the national historic site, you'll see the normally flat ground rising in mysterious, geometric, and surprisingly even mounds.

The ground around the monument is covered with lush green foliage, adding to the hauntingly beautiful feel of the location.

Some of the mounds are accessible to the public, but the majority are in the nearby woods and separated from the rest of the monument.

At the nearby visitor's center, you can explore everything the archaeologists know about these sacred native burial mounds.

Historic artifacts recovered from the area give us a small glimpse into this long bygone era and the culture that built these fascinating geometric mounds.

As you relax in the small picnic area, it's easy to get lost in the mysteries of this place - and to understand why people were perhaps baffled in Iowa. How did the people who built them move the earth to make such large mounds? What was their intention in shaping the mounds as they did?

This is a sacred site, so while the mounds are open, it's asked that no one tread directly on them to maintain respect for these ancient burial grounds that now stand a national historical landmark.

Have you explored this historic cluster of earthwork in Iowa and the national historic site that surrounds them? Let us know about your experience in the comments. To learn more, visit the Louisa County Conservation Board's website - it's the agency that manages the Toolesboro Mounds site. If you're in the area during the summer months, you may find some of your own historic treasures at the Wapello Market Place.