The View From Mohigan Burial Mounds IN CastletonNY

It has been reported in some historical accounts of the upper Hudson Valley region that Henry Hudson came ashore in the now Castleton area to trade and meet the native peoples. Their village was on the heights above the river. It has been correctly reported as well that their burial mounds were located in the northern part of the village in the Seaman Avenue area.
Having taken several pictures from various spots in the former mound area oneaspect has struck me. The view the dead recieved. From several of the higher points one can easily see the near by city of Albany , the state capital. The trees and buildings block a good view of the river but that was all burned grass back then. By climbing a tree to the appx height of the mounds in several spots one can easy take in views of the wideHudson below.
There are many other choice viewing spots along the Castleton ridgeline but the buried recieved a truely choice area within the confines of the village. Several reasons for this come to my mind:

1. The view can be majestic , the kind of beauty that inspired the Hudson river school of painters in the19th century.

2. This kind of view can perhaps lead one towards a spiritual frame of mind. The beautyof the natural environment , the distant vision sunset across the burial place of ones ancestors that many cultures venerate.

3. If a group is in preparation for a possible war what better lookout point than the areas where your great chiefs and warriors were buried. A place to commune when preparing to defend harth and home. A place to find inspiration in time of trouble.

4. The northern end of the village would also provide a view towards of the Mohawk Valley and it's river. The city blds along with pollution obsure the view but a direct line of sight from this point would have been possible on a clear day. A good pair of hawkeyes was needed. Protection , the honor of the vision the ancestors would have over the valleys and other tribes bespoke of strength. From what we were we are. A message to all in the northern valley and the adjoining Mohawk region.

More study is needed as always. I hope to add pictures at some point to aid in the illustration of these points at some future time.