Etowah Indian Mounds

 

Brief History

• The Etowah Indian Mounds are part of a large Mississippian culture archaeological site, occupied between 1000 – 1550 CE.

• The Mississippian people were mound builders, creating flat-topped earthen mounds for temples, elite residences, and ceremonial purposes.

• At its peak, the site was home to 1,000–3,000 people, functioning as both a political and religious center.

• The largest mound, Mound A, stands about 63 feet high and was used by the ruling elite.

• The site also includes a defensive ditch, village areas, burial grounds, and artifacts (shell gorgets, copper ornaments, pottery) showing advanced craftsmanship and trade networks stretching across North America.

• The site was eventually abandoned around the mid-1500s, likely due to warfare, disease, or European contact disruptions.

History and Culture

The mounds were built and occupied by a regional variation of the Mississippian culture, a group of sophisticated mound-building peoples who inhabited eastern North America. They were the ancestors of the historic Muscogee (Creek) people. Although later European settlers incorrectly attributed the mounds to the Cherokee, archaeological evidence shows that the Cherokee arrived in the area much later

The Etowah site was a vibrant, fortified town with a complex social structure. The people were skilled farmers, growing corn, beans, and squash, and they supplemented their diet with hunting and fishing. They built sophisticated V-shaped rock weirs in the Etowah River to catch fish. The town was protected by a large defensive ditch and a palisade of 12-foot-high logs

 Timeline

1000 CE – The Etowah site is first occupied by Mississippian peoples.

1000–1200 CE – Initial construction of the mounds begins; the community grows into a regional center.

1250–1375 CE – Etowah reaches its peak, with complex political and religious leadership. Elaborate burials with copper, shell, and stone artifacts are made.

1375–1550 CE – Decline begins; the site is attacked and partially abandoned, then reoccupied for a time before final abandonment.

1540s – Hernando de Soto’s expedition passes through the Southeast; scholars debate whether his party visited Etowah.

1840s–1880s – First archaeological digs occur, often destructive.

1920s–1930s – Professional excavations led by Warren K. Moorehead uncover artifacts now in museums.

1953 – Site designated a National Historic Landmark.

Present Day – Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site is open to the public, preserved by the State of Georgia.

Archaeological Findings

Extensive archaeological excavations since the late 19th century have revealed a treasure trove of artifacts that provide insight into the lives of the Etowah people. These findings include:

• Copper plates and other ornate objects that were likely part of a chief's ceremonial regalia.
• Carved marine shell gorgets (pendants) depicting the Birdman, a heroic figure important in Mississippian cosmology.
• Stone statues of a seated man and a kneeling woman, believed to represent lineage ancestors.

These artifacts demonstrate the advanced artistic and technical skills of the Etowah people. Today, the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is open to the public, with a museum showcasing many of these findings and trails that allow visitors to explore the mounds and the surrounding area.

LOCATION:

The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site is located at:

813 Indian Mounds Road SE Cartersville, GA 30120

It is situated in Bartow County, on the north bank of the Etowah River, about 3 miles south of the city of Cartersville.