Rock Hawk Effigy Mound

It is a massive prehistoric effigy mound built from quartzite rock in the shape of a flying bird. It is located in Putnam County, Georgia, USA.

The site is exceptionally rare because it is one of only two known bird effigy mounds located east of the Mississippi River. The only other known bird effigy in the eastern United States is the nearby Rock Eagle Effigy Mound.

Archaeologists believe the mound was constructed by Native Americans of the Woodland period, sometime around 1000 BCE to 1000 CE. The specific purpose of the mound remains a mystery but is likely tied to ancient religious or ceremonial practices.

While smaller than its Rock Eagle counterpart, the Rock Hawk mound is incredibly large, constructed using thousands of quartzite stones. It is best viewed from an adjacent observation tower, as its massive wingspan cannot be appreciated from ground level.