mound

A mound is a raised area of earth, rock, or other material that forms a small hill or pile. The term covers natural elevations and man-made structures. Mounds occur in many sizes and shapes, from a few centimeters high to tens of meters, and can be conical, cylindrical, or elongated.

Natural mounds arise through geological and geomorphological processes. Examples include hills formed by erosion, volcanic cones, sand dunes, and glacial features such as moraines and drumlins. Some animals also create mounds by accumulating soil or debris, notably termite mounds, ant hills, and gopher or mole mounds, which can influence local habitats.

Artificial mounds are built by humans and have served many purposes. Burial mounds, or tumuli and barrows, are among the oldest and are found worldwide; they may enclose graves, grave goods, or ceremonial spaces. Tell mounds in the Near East and kofun in Japan are large tomb structures. In North America, Mississippian and other Indigenous cultures constructed platform mounds for temples, residences, or public gatherings. Mounds also appear as defensive earthworks or as foundations for structures.

In archaeology and cultural geography, mounds are important indicators of past social organization, ritual practice, and settlement patterns. In ecology and landscape management, mounds can influence drainage, soil profiles, and habitat diversity.