Spend The Day Exploring These Ancient Earth Mounds In Louisiana
By Jackie Ann|Published December 17, 2021
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the state lies one of the biggest mysteries in Louisiana, perhaps even the country. The 402 acres that make up the Poverty Point State Historic Site are the largest and most complex Late Archaic earthwork occupation and ceremonial site that’s ever been discovered in North America, and it’s worth a visit.
In its simplest explanation, it’s a collection of earthworks that were created over many generations by the Poverty Point culture who inhabited the area from about 1730 - 1350 B.C. Historians are still trying to agree on what the site was actually used for, though.
Not only is Poverty Point a state historic site, but it’s also a U.S. National Monument, a U.S. National Historic Landmark, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ever since excavations began in the 1950s, historians and archaeologists have been working to uncover the mysteries behind these ridges and mounds. Since the original inhabitants left no written word, it’s up to us to piece together the puzzle by what we can dig up.
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During your visit, be sure to check out the exhibits and displays.
If you look back to the first picture in this article, you can see that the earthworks and mounds were constructed in a semi-circle, facing the bayou. Thousands of years ago, the bayou was much larger and used as a highway for trading and many believe that Poverty Point was a massive trading hub.
It's a unique side of the Louisiana landscape that you don't get to see very often, that's for sure!
Poverty Point is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission begins at $4.00, with discounted rates available for seniors and kids. For more information, visit their website. If you’ve ever visited Poverty Point, let us know about your experience in the comments below!
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