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Moundville Archaeological Park – a true treasure in Alabama

Moundville Archaeological Park – a true treasure in Alabama

Few sections in the Southern States can equal the wealth of evidence of Native American culture revealed in Moundville, Alabama. Other mounds are found scattered throughout Hale and Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama, but they cannot compare with those along the Warrior River. A palisade was built around three sides of the center of Moundville.

Moundville7 2010 by Carolyn HighsmithMound at Moundville Archaeological Park photographed by Carolyn Highsmith 2010

Occupied for more than three centuries

Moundville was occupied for more than three centuries before it was abandoned in the 16th century. Archaeological research indicates that the site was founded in 1120. The site was a planned community with a huge plaza that was leveled and 29 mounds around it. Most of the mounds are flat-topped platforms built over many decades by piling basket loads of soil dug from nearby pits which have now become lakes. The mounds range from three to 57 feet high.

By 1300, Moundville was the largest town in what is now Alabama. Residential mounds alternate with burial mounds around the perimeter of the site. An apparent ceremonial structure stood near the plaza’s center.

Archaeologists have not determined when and why Moundville was abandoned, but when Hernando de Soto arrived in Alabama, Moundville probably did not have many inhabitants.

Moundville3, 2010 by Carolyn HighsmithMounds at Moundville Archaeological Park photographed by Carolyn Highsmith 2010

Many artifacts were removed before 1915

In 1869, Nathaniel T. Lupton, fifth president of the University of Alabama, mapped the site. Later Clarence B. Moore, a wealthy man from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, excavated many of the mounds and published pictures of his findings in books.

The state of Alabama became alarmed at the extent of his excavation and the loss of precious artifacts so they passed an antiquities law in 1915 to protect archaeological sites from looting.

Moundville6 2010 by Carolyn HighsmithMounds at Moundville Archaeological Park photographed by Carolyn Highsmith 2010

Civilian Conservation Corps restored the mounds

Through the efforts of local citizens and state geologist, Walter B. Jones, the site was turned into a park in 1933. Jones and David L. DeJarnette began the first scientific excavations in 1929. The Civilian Conservation Corps restored the mounds during the Great Depression and constructed a museum.

The Moundville Archaeological Park is a National Historic Landmark. The 320-acrepark contains 26 prehistoric, Mississippian culture-era Native American earthwork mounds, burial sites, and artifacts.

Annual festival is one of top 20 tourism events

Each year, the park has a Native American Festival for Wednesday through Saturday during the first full week of October. The Festival has been named one of Alabama’s Top 20 Tourism Event.

ALABAMA FOOTPRINTS: Settlement: Lost & Forgotten Stories is a collection of lost and forgotten stories of the first surveyors, traders, and early settlements of what would become the future state of Alabama.

Read about:

  • A Russian princess settling in early Alabama
  • How the early settlers traveled to Alabama and the risks they took
  • A ruse that saved immigrants lives while traveling through Native American Territory
  • Alliances formed with the Native Americans
  • How an independent republic, separate from the United States was almost formed in Alabama

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13 comments

  1. Soooo interesting. Similar to Cahokia Illinois

  2. Moundville State Park is an awesome place to visit. Before The University of Alabama took it over the City of Moundville had controll of the park. My grandparent were from there so I grew up playing on the Indian mounds and going to the museum all the time. It never ceased to be amazing no matter how old I got. When my son turned two I could not wait to take him to share the beauty of the mounds and the nature trail. This place is so worth the time.

  3. The Indian mounds in Macon, GA. are pretty amazing too.

  4. Alabama do not forget that you are heart of the Bible belt. You are my favourite state in the USA because there is a lot of (Pentecostal) people who rise the snakes! I know that South had the reasons to rise against the North one day, and I see illuminati (occultist) symbols on Washington streets and US Dollars which should disappear one day. Do not forget that you have true Protestant friends form outside of the USA!

  5. Every time Moundville is mentioned I smile. I smile because I have wonderful memories of my Grandma and Pawpaw. This is a great place to visit

  6. Great park a walk along the Black Warrior River there is nice very scenic, the museum is great, really beautiful area, quiet

  7. Chris Topher Mosh Charlotte Louise do y’all’s selfs a favor and come see this shit one day.

    1. This is where we got married

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