Ancient Art Form Recalled
What if someone told you he saw a frog 140 feet long,
a snake 2,070 feet long and a catfish 770 feet long
by the Illinois River? You would be wondering just what fairy tale
he had been reading.
But it is true! Located on the bluffs of the Illinois River stands five earthen sculptures molded from Illinois clay. Titled "Effigy Tumuli" in tribute to the Native American burial grounds that inspired it, this unique "earth art" is a grand sculpture in the tradition of Mount Rushmore.
It is one of the largest earthen sculptures ever built and the largest since Mount Rushmore. The Effigy Tumuli sculpture is a significant artwork in terms of its expansive size, subject matter, and use of earth with heavy construction equipment.
All five sculptures depicted are native to the Illinois River. Michael Heizer was the artist who used the mile and a half long bluff as his canvas. Unlike the Chicago Art Institute, this 298-acre outdoor art gallery enables you to look from a distance and then walk around on top of the sculptures to better understand the effigies.
Beginning more than 3,000 years ago and lasting for nearly 1,500 years, our continent's early inhabitants constructed earthen effigies representing animals, man and geometric shapes. These effigies usually were created to form temple platforms or to serve as burial mounds, which are called tumult.
Creative Team Work
But how did this project occur? It was part of a creative coal mine reclamation project sponsored by the Illinois Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Council.
The Ottawa Silica Company Foundation commissioned noted artist Michael Heizer to designthe earth-art component of reclamation, and the Ottawa Silica Company donated the land to the state of Illinois for reclamation and public recreation.
The council chose this site because of the many spoils of coal mines in the area. These spoil piles are barren "moonscapes" that poison vegetation and pollute waterways with toxic run-off. "Effigy Tumuli" once suffered from the same ugly case.
"Effigy Tumuli" is located within Buffalo Rock State Park, about 2 miles west of Ottawa on Dee Bennett Road.
For more information, contact the Site Superintendent.
Rock State Park, R.R. 1, Box 39,
Ottawa, IL 61350, 815-433-2220.
Effigy Tumuli
While groups of 25 or more are welcome andencouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts. At least one responsible adult must accompany each group of 5 minors. Pets must be kept on leashes at all times. Actions by nature can result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park office before you make your trip. We hope you enjoy your stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints.
For more information on state parks write to the
Illinois Department of Conservation, Office of Public Information,
524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL
62701-1787, or call (217) 782-7454.