An effigy epicenter 🗺️

Effigy Mounds in Wisconsin

An aerial view allows us to better see the humanlike features of Man Mound. | Photo via Sauk County Parks Dept.

There are believed to be more American Indian burial mounds on UW Madison’s campus than on any other campus in North America. This is due to the fact that Wisconsin is the epicenter of effigy mound culture. At one point, there were an estimated 15,000 mounds in the state. Due to natural processes, European colonization, and urban development that number has dwindled to around 4,000.

❓ What is an effigy mound?

These earthen monuments are believed to be indicators of a celestial event, seasonal observance, territorial markers, or burial sites. Not to be confused with a conical, dome, or platform mound — which are named after the shape of each type— effigy mounds are shaped to mirror significant symbols, animals, and even humans.

While there were once five in Wisconsin alone, Man Mound in Sauk County is the only anthropomorphic (human-shaped) effigy mound left in North America. Although, even this mound has been partially torn down to make way for a road.

📍 Why here?

Roughly 12,000 years ago, the glaciers that once covered the Madison area and much of Wisconsin retreated. This made way for a migration of Native peoples to settle here. Being in the Yahara Watershed area, the abundance of lakes and water passageways was likely a large motivator for tribes to gravitate here.

👀 See for yourself

Willow Drive Mounds | Effigy mounds in the shape of a goose, water spirit, and an unnamed type accompany a conical mound here.
Observatory Hill Mound Group | Walking past Agricultural Hall, you’ll be able to see a bird and a two-tailed water spirit mound.
Eagle Heights Mound Group | A three-mound cluster is visible at the bluff in Eagle Park Woods.
Picnic Point Mound Group | Keep your eyes peeled next time you’re walking Picnic Point for this five-mound cluster right off of the main path.

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Today, Dec. 7

Vinyl Record Pop-Up Shop | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 10 a.m-5 p.m. | 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Madison | Free+ | Collect a vinyl piece of Wisconsin history by shopping the personal record collection of Jim Kirchstein, founder of Cuca Records. 💽

Thursday, Dec. 8

Texas Toast with The Lower 5th | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 8-11 p.m. | Monkey Business Institute, 1709 S. Park St., Madison | $10 | Enjoy original and cover tunes from this psychedelic country band.
Coffee, Art, and Conversation | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 9-11 a.m. | Farwell Gallery, 4721 Farwell St., McFarland | Free | Discuss art over a cup of joe with like-minded locals in the art scene. ☕

Friday, Dec. 9

Double Feature | Friday, Dec. 9 | 9 p.m. | Atlas Improv Co., 609 E. Washington Ave., Madison | $8 | Watch two fully improvised movies based on genres, titles, and suggestions. 🎭

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

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Weather

38º | Partly cloudy | 9% chance of rain

Civic

Six local groups received grants from the county on Monday to promote racial equity and social justice in the community. A total of $55,000 in funding was granted by The Partners in Equity in order to ensure opportunity for everyone in our community. (Channel 3000)

Traffic

A five-mile stretch of Highway 51, between Stoughton and Interstate 39/90, is set to be reconstructed in the coming years. The Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15 at the Dunkirk Town Hall to discuss plans. 🚧(Madison.com)

Edu

Madison Metropolitan School District is projected to see a 10% drop in enrollment over the next five years. Declining birth rates contribute to this decrease along with more families choosing to open enroll into other districts. (Cap Times)

Announced

Comedian Sarah Silverman will be making a stop in Madison for her national tour. She is set to perform on Thursday, March 9 at the Orpheum Theater. Tickets go on sale this Friday. 🎭 (NBC 15)

Shop

Got a coffee lover in your family? We can almost guarantee these two products are on their wish list — the Fellow Stagg Electric Kettle and the Fellow Pour Over Coffee Set. Both strike the perfect balance of form and function. Psst — don’t forget the matching travel mug. ☕*

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Rolling out another recipe 📝

608 Recipe Swap: Cinnamon Roll Bake

Just when we thought cinnamon rolls couldn’t get any better. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s recipe comes from reader Nancy F. This sweet treat is her go-to breakfast for a crowd over the holidays. This is especially popular with the kiddos.

🍴Cinnamon Roll Bake

Ingredients

2 tubes of cinnamon rolls (with icing)
1/2 cup milk
4 eggs
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup

Directions

Coat a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut each cinnamon roll into four pieces and place pieces on bottom of the baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, cinnamon, syrup, and vanilla extract. Evenly pour over the cinnamon roll pieces.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Heat the icing according to instructions on the cinnamon roll tubes and drizzle over the casserole when baking is complete.

Have a holiday recipe you want to share with the community? Let us know.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: Was anyone else at Wheel of Fortune Live last night? The Overture Center is great for a more relaxed night out.

Missed our last newsletter? We checked out Madison’s equality score.

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Editorial: Ally Geiger, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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