On the subject of “giant skeletons” found in mounds, what we actually think this stems from is how the early archaeologists in the 1800s measured the burials in their excavations, which could have bones that were somewhat spread apart (for example, if you measure from the toes, which would be flat on the ground, you can easily add half a foot). Therefore, a skeleton from an individual who may have been tall but not unusually so could get exaggerated into a small giant! Other reports seem to fall into just fantasy. In any case, no “giant skeletons” were ever preserved, and like many anomalous artifacts, seem to be a feature of 19th century exaggeration. Once archaeology began to be done and reported in a truly systematic and scientific way, these types of findings suddenly disappeared -even though the same types of sites were being excavated.

This reference to giant cannibals does not necessarily mean they referred to Bigfoot type creatures.

There is a publication, Ancient American, available on line as well as a regular magazine on newstands, that explores anomalous archeological finds and theories about America before the arrival of Columbus and the European invasion that followed. They have had a number of articles about finds of skeletal remains of “giants” who were 7 feet or more in height here in North America. It may be that instead of a Bigfoot creature, these legends allude to groups of large statured people, “giants”, who may well have been cannibals in that they may have captured and eaten the native American, “Indian”, peoples. That they disappeared before 1492 would not be surprising in that the Amerindians would likely have wiped them out in self-defense.

In all the accounts I have seen about Bigfoot/Sasquatch and the native American peoples, there is a similar story that seems to run thru them all — the native Americans adopted a live and let live policy towards them and they seemed to have gotten along amicably enough.

For those who find discoveries of relics that seem out of place or indicate the presence of peoples that came from Europe, Asia, and Africa prior to 1492, Ancient American is a good read. In the interests of full disclosure, I am an occasional reader of the publication only, and have no financial links to it.