Crop Circle Found Near EFFIGY MOUNDS , Horicon Marsh, Dodge County Wisconsin Nitschke Mounds Back to Wisconsin Crop Circle Burlington UFO and Paranormal Research The so-called turtle and panther mounds are long-tailed forms that comprise the second largest class of effigy mounds.  The long-tailed mounds were representative of water spirits usually found in areas with large lakes, swamps and marshes and typically were located near springs.  These springs flow from the earth and have been revered by ancient people as a source of life-giving water, symbolic of rebirth and renewal.  Springs also represented entrances to the water underworld for the powerful water spirits. The Nitschke Mounds are located less than 2 miles from the Horicon Marsh and the site has 2 continuously flowing springs. The largest mound in the group is a Turtle Effigy that measures 200' in length by 57' in width and 4' in height. Below are the various effigy mounds found near the site Length-Width-Height  (largest found) Panther Effigy                     128' 39' 2.1 Turtle Effigy                         200' 57' 4' Canine (Wolf or Fox) Effigy  102' 47' 1.8' Tadpole or Gourd Effigy          90' 46' 1.5' Buffalo or Bear Effigy            89' 35' 3.3' Flying Goose Effigy    Details not available ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Buffalo Effigies Buffalo effigies, also found around the Horicon Marsh, are rocks naturally shaped like a buffalo. Some of the rocks have been changed only slightly by Native Americans and may date back to over 5,000 years ago. Prehistoric shrines with bison effigies are found on hilltops because the people believed that high ground was a reflection of heaven. Located on high points, all key sites are mutually visible. The effigies all face a cardinal direction or are aligned with a solstice sunrise or sunset. Native Americans marked the sun's movement because they believed the sun represented the physical presence of God in the sky. Fires represented the presence of God on earth. Their circle of worship includes naturally occurring, interrelated cycles: prairie, fire, the sun, and buffalos. Buffalo effigies also helped orient people to other geographic destinations, possibly all the way to the Black Hills of South Dakota. A "herd" of these bison are scattered throughout Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties. Like the mounds, they are still visited by Native Americans today. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE