The Native American Burial Site Found In Tennessee Is A Historical Wonder

Native American history in the Volunteer State runs deep, but not many locals know where to learn about Tennessee’s original residents. Mound Bottom State Archeological Area is in Cheatham County, just west of the city of Nashville, and the expansive natural area is a hidden spot in Tennessee accessible only by guided tour. There is a single access trail on land, which means that your trek to the former Native American settlement will be uninterrupted by passersby. If you’re looking to learn about one of Tennessee’s hidden wonders, then you may want to plan a trip to Cheatham County.

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Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area is located in Kingston Springs, Tennessee. The seven-acre area is home to earthen platforms, burial mounds, and former Native American habitation areas. Many believe that the area was occupied during the Mississippian period from 1000 to 1300 AD.

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Known commonly as "Mound Bottom," you will find the park tucked into a bend in the Harpeth River. The area is studded with the marks of former settlements, including a mound complex known as the "Pack Site" and "Great Mound Division" just a mile beyond Mound Bottom. The three sites are collectively known as the Great Mound Group. Most believe that all locations were inhabited at the same time.

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Here you can see a rudimentary map of Mound Bottom completed in 1923. Mound Bottom consists of up to 34 earthen mounds. The flat-topped platforms were home to ceremonial spaces and residences, and other mounds were utilized for burial.

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The Indigenous Peoples who built the mounds would typically access them by way of a ramp or a staircase, but those access structures have since been wiped clean by time. In 1926, up to 70 graves were excavated by archaeologists working in cooperation with the Smithsonian. Mound Bottom is now a part of the Harpeth River State Park, but it is only accessible by requested guided tour.

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Here you can see an aerial overview of the park in 1974 when it was first purchased by the state of Tennessee. The area is now firmly preserved and protected as a state archaeological area.

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Have you ever heard of Mound Bottom? Would you ever request a tour? There's no better way to learn about Tennessee in its earliest iteration.

Mound Bottom is one of the state’s least-known wonders, and it’s worth a visit. It’s not accessible to the public without a pre-arranged tour, so be sure to plan ahead for your visit. Each guided tour is led by a well-studied park ranger, so you can expect to learn something fascinating while you’re there. Learn more about visiting Mound Bottom with a little help from the state of Tennessee.