Content related to the removal of the stone mound located behind the Oxford Exchange shopping center
Crowd braves dreary weather to bless site of mound in Oxford OXFORD — The steady rain Sunday afternoon watered down a planned re-blessing of a stone mound behind the Oxford Exchange. The mound, believed to be 1,000 years old and of American Indian construction, has been the subject of controversy since a contractor hired by the city's Commercial Development Authority began tearing away the hill underneath it. The initial plan was to use it as fill dirt for a Sam's Club. Oxford Mayor Leon Smith now says the contractor is not touching the mound. A private land owner says the contractor is getting dirt from him.
Large gathering expected at mound Sunday American Indians and concerned citizens say they will gather at Oxford's mysterious stone mound Sunday to hold a reconsecration ceremony. Organizers are expecting as many as 150 to 300 people. The plans also call for a visit to the nearby Davis Farm, believed to be associated with the mound.
Mound controversy spans the Web: American Indian site in Oxford now on Facebook, Twitter OXFORD — The controversy over the city's mysterious American Indian mound is officially global. But city leaders are skeptical of the mound's newfound Internet fame. The Indian mound, which could be 1,000 years old or older, sits atop a hill behind the Oxford Exchange. Some preservation officials are worried it could contain human remains or burial artifacts. Until recently the city has planned to demolish the hill for fill dirt for a nearby Sam's Club. But work has stopped.
Smith an insult to us all Mayor Smith has embarrassed not only the city of Oxford, but the whole state of Alabama, with the insensitive manner he has handled this issue. He has also blatantly insulted every Native American in our country.
Oxford's petty maneuver The city of Oxford's decision to stop printing new ordinances in The Star seems clearly a response to the citizenry's protest about the desecration of the Native Indian stone mound.
It's sacrilege in Oxford For shame that there is no respect in Oxford for the Native American stone mound built by people who lived here long before you and me. This can never be replaced, but Wal-Marts and Sam's Clubs can go someplace else, where the land is available.
See the signs of 'progress' in Oxford I have been reading with interest the opinions expressed by The Star's readers concerning the impending destruction of the prehistoric stone mound behind the Oxford Exchange. As many know, I am a professional archaeologist and I am in favor of preserving this sacred Native American site. Thus said, I feel compelled to clear up a few misconceptions concerning this stone mound.
Jul 16, 2009 | | 131 |
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Harry Holstein Special to The StarAnniston Star
Phillip Tutor: Moundville's lesson for Oxford For 1,500 years, the mound that has become Alabama's most controversial Native American site has sat on a hill in the Choccolocco Valley. It's not the archeological equivalent of new growth. It's 1,500 years old, for goodness' sake.
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