🏺✝️🦴 Missouri Giant Skeletons Arranged in Crosses: Clues to an Ancient Ozarks Cult?

Deep in the rolling hills of the Ozarks, a remarkable archaeological discovery once hinted at the forgotten rituals of a prehistoric people. In a shallow Indian mound near Springfield, Missouri, excavators uncovered eight giant human skeletons carefully arranged in four layers. Each pair of skeletons was positioned to form a perfect cross—a layout that stunned researchers and sparked theories about ancient religious practices.

Local archaeologist Rev. S. P. Newberry, a respected figure in Springfield's historical circles, examined the find and declared it "highly probable" that the cross formations held deep spiritual meaning. "The Indian cross has always symbolized a place of worship," he explained. He speculated that the arrangement represented a high priest from some ancient cult, buried alongside seven attendants—possibly sacrificed upon the priest's death, following customs seen in certain tribes where a leader's horses, dogs, and loyal followers were interred with him.

Adding to the intrigue, nestled in the crook of one skeleton's arm was an ancient stone sacrificial bowl, etched with unusual markings. These symbols matched exactly with four strange idols recently unearthed by Newberry himself in the nearby Coleman Cavern north of Springfield. Neither the bowl nor the idols could be linked to any known Native American tribes, leading Newberry to propose the existence of an unknown, highly advanced prehistoric race that once thrived in the region.

"The discovery of this bowl reinforces the idea of a religious sacrifice," Newberry noted, comparing it to similar vessels used by ancient cultures worldwide. The skeletons themselves were described as belonging to individuals far taller than modern averages—one estimated to have stood at least seven feet tall.

This extraordinary find, originally reported in the Kansas City Times, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the mysterious spiritual world of the Ozarks' early inhabitants. Were these giants guardians of a lost civilization? Or evidence of sacred rites long vanished from history? Discoveries like this remind us how much mystery still lies buried beneath our feet. What do you think—ancient cult, lost race, or something even more enigmatic? Share your thoughts below! 🏔️🔍

SOURCE: https://www.loc.gov/resource/ca06001655/1935-01-11/ed-1/?sp=1&q=Ozarks+ancient+prehistoric&r=0.39,0.519,0.633,0.412,0