The mountainous terrain and ancient burial mounds of the Appalachian region hold many secrets, none perhaps as intriguing as the persistent tales and numerous archaeological finds of giants in West Virginia. From the earliest colonial settlements to the mid-20th century, reports have consistently surfaced detailing the discovery of colossal human skeletons, sparking fascination and debate about the true history of the land. These finds suggest a history far richer and more mysterious than conventional narratives often depict.
For centuries, the rugged landscape of West Virginia has been a silent keeper of extraordinary secrets, with archaeological excavations and chance discoveries repeatedly unearthing evidence of human remains of astonishing size. These discoveries have led many to believe that literal giants once walked the earth, particularly in this region, contributing to a rich tapestry of folklore and historical records.
Early Encounters with West Virginia’s Giants
One of the earliest documented accounts of a giant discovery in West Virginia dates back to 1774. Jack Parsons was exploring the recently flooded banks of the Cheat River when he stumbled upon bones protruding from the soil. Upon investigation, he extracted a human femur, which, when compared to his own, was a remarkable seven inches longer. Further excavation revealed a complete skeleton, estimated to be eight feet tall. The area quickly gained renown, with other settlers reporting similar colossal finds, leading to it being informally named “Giant Town.”
Decades later, in 1838, amateur excavators exploring the historic Grave Creek Mound in present-day Moundsville, West Virginia, claimed to have uncovered human skeletons of immense proportions. These remains reportedly measured up to eight feet in length, adding to the growing legend of giants in West Virginia and highlighting the significant archaeological interest in the region’s ancient earthworks.
Mid-19th Century Discoveries: More Than Just Relics
The mid-19th century brought further intriguing discoveries. In the 1850s, while digging a root cellar in Palatine (now East Fairmont), workers unearthed two large human skeletons, both said to be over seven feet tall. While these impressive remains were observed by several individuals, they mysteriously vanished overnight, presumably sold into the then-thriving market for “Indian relics.” This unfortunate loss of evidence underscores the challenges in preserving historical findings from this era.
A particularly striking report emerged in 1857, published in the Western Literary Messenger. The article detailed the discovery of a giant skeleton by workmen engaged in subsoiling grounds at Sheriff Wickham’s vineyard in East Wheeling. The report stated, “Although much decayed, there was little difficulty in identifying it by placing the bones, which could not have belonged to anything other than a human body, in their original position.” What followed was an astonishing measurement: “The impression made from the skeleton itself was measured by the Sheriff and a brother in the craft locale, both of whom were prepared to swear that it was 10 feet, 9 inches in length.” The sheer scale of this find, with jaws and teeth described as “almost as large as those of a horse,” left a profound impression, with the bones reportedly put on display at the Sheriff’s office.
Late 19th Century Expeditions: Smithsonian and Beyond
The latter half of the 19th century saw a surge in archaeological activity, bringing more evidence to light. In 1875, during bridge construction near the mouth of Paw Paw Creek at Rivesville, workers uncovered three giant skeletons. These remains were notable for having strands of reddish hair still clinging to their skulls. A local physician, summoned to examine the find, confirmed their human origin and estimated their height at approximately eight feet. Sadly, like many bone discoveries of the time, these deteriorated rapidly upon exposure to air.
Further inland, in 1882, amateur archaeologists F.M. Fetty and his wife made an extraordinary discovery along White Day Creek in Marion County. Exploring an unusual rock formation, they found a concealed shelter behind a false wall. Inside, after removing several large stones, they were confronted by a huge ancient mummy, seated in a chair and surrounded by stone and flint artifacts. This find hints at elaborate burial practices for these unusual individuals.
The summer of 1883 proved particularly fruitful. James A. Faulkner unearthed another gigantic human skeleton in the same vicinity. Dr. Samuel Kramer of Smithtown was called to the scene, measuring the skeleton at 7 feet 4 inches and concluding it belonged to a person nearly eight feet tall. That same year, the prestigious Smithsonian Institution dispatched a team of archaeologists to the Criel Mound in South Charleston. Led by Colonel Lewis Morris, this team undertook extensive digs across some 50 mounds in the area, yielding a highly detailed report that solidified the presence of unusually large human remains.
The Smithsonian’s Criel Mound Discoveries
The Smithsonian expedition at Criel Mound brought forth some of the most compelling evidence of West Virginia giants. Among their significant findings was a skeleton measuring an impressive 7 feet 6 inches tall, adorned with six heavy copper bracelets on each wrist and three large mica plates on its shoulder. In another mound, the team discovered a circle of ten skeletons arranged around a central, larger skeleton, accompanied by underground vaults, various copper and mica ornaments, jewelry, religious items, pipes, and spearheads. Another notable giant skeleton found during these digs featured a distinctive “flat-head” type skull, suggesting cranial modification or a unique physical characteristic of this ancient population.
20th Century Confirmations and Lingering Questions
As the 20th century progressed, archaeological work continued to affirm previous discoveries. In Wheeling, West Virginia, subsequent digs revealed another grouping of giants, with heights ranging from 6 feet 7 inches to 7 feet 6 inches. These skeletons often exhibited unusual skull formations, characterized by low foreheads and prominent occipital regions, further distinguishing them from typical human remains.
The public’s interest in these colossal finds was captured by contemporary newspaper accounts. In October 1922, the Charleston Daily Mail reported on discoveries at Mound Park in Moundsville, stating, “One of the most interesting of the five state parks is Mound Park, at Moundsville, from which that city derived its name. Probably no other relic of prehistoric origin has attracted as wide a study among archaeologists as the Grave Creek Mound, which has yielded the skeletons of the ancients who constructed it.” The article specifically highlighted a skeleton, believed to be female, measuring seven feet four inches tall, with a jawbone large enough to fit over the face of a 160-pound man. This vivid description paints a picture of individuals truly beyond the ordinary human stature.
Another significant report appeared in the Clarksburg Sunday Exponent in June 1930. It detailed “interesting and valuable evidence of a race of gigantic people who inhabited this section of West Virginia more than one thousand years ago” unearthed from two newly explored mounds near Morgansville. Professor Ernest Sutton, head of the Geography Department at Salem College, had excavated these mounds in Doddridge County, uncovering four skeletons. The newspaper concluded, “The particular tribe or race that inhabited this section of the state is believed to have consisted of individuals ranging from 7 to 9 feet tall, and it is thought they were Siouan Indians. The best-preserved skeleton found at Morgansville was in a clay encasement, and all the vertebrae and other bones, except the skull, were preserved without much crumbling. Careful measurement of the skeletons proved that the Indians were about seven feet, six inches tall.”
The most recent widely reported discovery of these remarkable individuals occurred in 1959. Dr. Donald Dragoo, curator of the Section of Man at the Carnegie Museum, excavated the Cresap Mound in Marshall County, unearthing a well-preserved skeleton that measured a confirmed 7 feet 2 inches. This modern archaeological confirmation adds scientific weight to the numerous historical accounts of giants in West Virginia.
The Adena Culture and the Mystery of the Giants
Many of the ancient burial mounds where these gigantic skeletons have been found are attributed to the Adena Culture, a prehistoric Native American culture that existed from 1000 BCE to 200 CE in a contiguous area of what is now central Ohio, northern Kentucky, and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. While the Adena are known for their mound building and elaborate burial rituals, the consistent discovery of individuals of unusual stature within their mounds adds a layer of mystery. Were these individuals revered leaders, or did a specific genetic trait lead to gigantism within certain groups? The archaeological record, though incomplete, suggests that large individuals were certainly part of these ancient societies.
Tales of colossal humans are not unique to West Virginia; they permeate American history and folklore across the entire continent and indeed, around the world. These many finds, documented in historical reports and some archaeological records, support the notion that exceptionally tall people, if not literal giants, existed centuries ago, challenging conventional understandings of ancient populations and demonstrating that these narratives are more than mere mythological beings.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of West Virginia’s Giants
The compelling historical and archaeological evidence of giants in West Virginia paints a picture of a past far more enigmatic than often assumed. From the early reports along the Cheat River to the Smithsonian’s meticulous excavations and the later findings at Cresap Mound, the consistent uncovering of human remains measuring well over seven feet tall speaks to an undeniable aspect of the region’s ancient history. These discoveries, often accompanied by unique burial artifacts and distinctive skull formations, challenge our perceptions of prehistoric inhabitants and suggest that tales of giants may not be confined to the realm of myth. The mystery of these colossal individuals continues to fascinate, reminding us that the earth beneath our feet still holds countless secrets waiting to be fully understood.
