Mound Builders of Mississippi

For millennia, the landscape of what we now know as Mississippi has been shaped not only by natural forces but also by the hands of its indigenous inhabitants. While evidence suggests that the first people arrived in the region around 12,000 years ago, the most prominent legacy of these early cultures lies in the thousands of earthen mounds they constructed over a span of nearly two millennia, beginning roughly 2,100 years ago and continuing until around 1700 A.D. These Mound Builders of Mississippi left behind structures that continue to intrigue and inform us about their lives, beliefs, and societal structures.

Despite the sheer number of mounds erected throughout Mississippi’s history, only a fraction have survived the ravages of time, agricultural practices, and modern development. Those that remain offer invaluable insights into the diverse cultures that thrived in the region, providing a tangible link to the past and a glimpse into the complex societies that once flourished here. These Mound Builders of Mississippi were skilled engineers, artists, and spiritual leaders, and their mounds serve as silent testaments to their ingenuity and cultural achievements.

The purpose and design of these earthen structures were incredibly varied. Some stood in solitary splendor, while others formed part of elaborate complexes, sometimes numbering twenty or more mounds clustered together, as seen at Winterville. These mounds were often strategically arranged around expansive plazas, forming the heart of communities and serving as focal points for social and ceremonial activities. Some mounds were connected by earthen ridges, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of these sites.

The mounds themselves came in a range of shapes and sizes, from flat-topped pyramids and rounded domes to barely perceptible rises in the landscape. While the precise function of some mounds remains shrouded in mystery, archaeological evidence and historical accounts have revealed a variety of uses. Some served as burial mounds, where the deceased were interred with elaborate rituals and grave goods. Other mounds were topped with temples, serving as elevated platforms for religious ceremonies and communal gatherings. Still others functioned as symbolic pinnacles of power, serving as residences for chiefs and other societal leaders, visually reinforcing their authority and status. The Mound Builders of Mississippi clearly invested a great deal of time, effort, and resources into constructing these structures, suggesting their central importance in their lives.

The construction of these mounds was a monumental undertaking, requiring the coordinated effort of large groups of people. Imagine teams of workers toiling from dawn to dusk, gathering basket after basket of earth from nearby sources. These burdens would then be carried to the designated clearing, where the soil would be carefully dumped and meticulously compacted, often with the repeated stamping of feet. Day after day, year after year, this process would be repeated, slowly but surely building the mound to its intended size and shape. Over time, multiple layers of earth were often added during successive construction phases, resulting in mounds of impressive height and complexity. This labor-intensive process highlights the commitment and dedication of the Mound Builders of Mississippi to creating these lasting monuments.

Regardless of their specific age, form, or function, each mound held profound significance for the people who built them. For many American Indian groups, these earthen structures were seen as symbols of Mother Earth, the source of all life and sustenance. This sacred association imbued the mounds with immense power, transforming them into territorial markers and monuments of social unity, reinforcing community identity and fostering a sense of collective pride. These Mound Builders of Mississippi understood the power of these structures to unite and inspire their people.

Archaeologists categorize the mound-building cultures of the Southeast into three main chronological and cultural divisions: the Archaic, the Woodland, and the Mississippian traditions. While no mounds from the Archaic period (7000 to 1000 B.C.) have been definitively identified in Mississippi, the surviving mounds primarily date to the Middle Woodland period (100 B.C. to 200 A.D.) and the Mississippian period (1000 to 1700 A.D.). Understanding these distinct periods helps us to appreciate the evolution of mound-building practices and the changing social and cultural landscapes of the region.

The Middle Woodland period marked the first widespread phase of mound construction in Mississippi. The people of this era were primarily hunters and gatherers who lived in semi-permanent or permanent settlements. Many of the mounds built during this time served as burial sites for important members of local tribal groups. These burial mounds were typically rounded, dome-shaped structures, ranging in height from about three to eighteen feet, with diameters ranging from fifty to one hundred feet. Distinctive artifacts, often obtained through long-distance trade networks, were sometimes placed with the deceased, providing valuable insights into their beliefs and social status. Burial mound construction declined after the Middle Woodland period, but several sites, such as Boyd Mounds, Bynum Mounds, Pharr Mounds, and Chewalla Lake, offer opportunities to explore these fascinating remnants of the past.

The Mississippian period witnessed a resurgence of mound-building across much of the southeastern United States. During this time, the lower Mississippi Delta was home to highly organized societies that constructed awe-inspiring earthen monuments, which served as anchors for roads, commerce, and cultural centers. These geometrically precise earthworks were the centers of life, marking the heart of social and political authority. These sites are indicators of a way of life more complex than that of the Woodland and earlier periods, reflecting significant advancements in social organization, agricultural practices, and technological innovation.

Unlike the relatively simple, egalitarian tribal organization of most Woodland period societies, Mississippian populations were typically organized into chiefdoms, territorial groups with hereditary, elite leadership classes. This chiefdom system arose as a means of managing the increased social complexity resulting from steady population growth. This growth was fueled by the cultivation of corn, beans, and squash, a revolutionary new means of subsistence that became an economic mainstay during the Mississippian period. Most Mississippian mounds are rectangular, flat-topped earthen platforms upon which temples or residences of chiefs were erected. These buildings were constructed of wooden posts covered with mud plaster and had thatched roofs. These platform mounds ranged in height from eight to almost sixty feet and could be from sixty to as much as 770 feet in width at the base. Prominent Mississippian period mound sites include Winterville, Jaketown, Pocahontas, Owl Creek, and Bear Creek, each offering a unique glimpse into this dynamic era.

However, by the 1500s, mound construction was already in decline when the first Europeans arrived in the region. The introduction of epidemic diseases by these early explorers decimated native populations across the Southeast, causing catastrophic societal disruption. As a result, by the time sustained contact with European colonists began around 1700, the long tradition of mound-building had nearly ended, leaving behind a legacy of impressive earthen structures that continue to captivate and inspire.

Today, visitors can come face to face with this rich legacy of American Indian cultural achievement. For thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans and Africans, diverse Indian groups, drawn by the bountiful wildlife, warm climate, and fertile soil, made their homes in what is now Mississippi. The earthen mounds they built are the most prominent remains left on the landscape, offering much more than just a tour through thousands of years of Mississippi history. They stand as testaments to the enduring presence of American Indians and as monuments to the first inhabitants of the southeastern United States.

Though many of the mounds in Mississippi are located on privately owned land, they are protected by state and federal laws. In the past, many mounds were irreparably damaged or completely destroyed by modern development and looting. The remaining mounds stand as a testament to the vitality, diversity, and creativity of their makers, who developed the complex societies of long ago. It is crucial to remember that unauthorized digging, removal of artifacts or human remains, or any other disturbance of the mounds and surrounding grounds is strictly prohibited, and violators are subject to prosecution.

The mounds described in this article date from approximately 100 B.C. to 1700 A.D. and are representative samples of sites that were originally far more numerous.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Many mounds are located on or near the Natchez Trace Parkway, which commemorates a historic route used by American Indians, pioneer settlers, traders, and soldiers during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Parkway incorporates numerous visitor stops of historic, natural, and archaeological interest, including five of the mound sites highlighted herein: Bear Creek, Pharr, Bynum, Boyd, and Emerald. While not directly on the Natchez Trace Parkway but situated very nearby, the sites of Owl Creek, Pocahontas, and the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians can also be found. These sites are listed below for visitors traveling from north to south along the parkway.

• Bear Creek Mound – This square, flat-topped mound was built in several stages for ceremonial or elite residential use sometime between 1100 and 1300 A.D. during the Mississippian period. Burned daub (mud plaster used in building construction) found on the mound during archaeological excavation indicates the former presence of a temple or chief’s house.
• Owl Creek Site – The five Mississippian period platform mounds at this site were built between 1100 and 1200 A.D. The U.S. Forest Service owns two of the mounds, including the largest 17-foot-high Mound I.
• Pharr Mounds – This site complex consists of eight burial mounds built during the Middle Woodland period, between 1 and 200 A.D. Ranging in height from two to 18 feet, the mounds are distributed over an area of about 85 acres.
• Bynum Mounds and Village – The six burial mounds and associated habitation areas at the Bynum site were built between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D. in the Middle Woodland period.
• Boyd Mound – The six small burial mounds at the Boyd site were built much later, during the Late Woodland and Early Mississippian periods (circa 800 to 1100 A.D.).
• Pocahontas Site – This rectangular platform mound, 175 feet across at the base and about 22 feet high, was built and used during the Mississippian period, between 1000 and 1300 A.D.
• Emerald Mound – Designated a National Historic Landmark, Emerald Mound is one of the largest mounds in North America.
• Grand Village of the Natchez Indians – These three platform mounds, an adjacent ceremonial plaza, and associated habitation areas mark the political and religious capital of the Natchez Indian chiefdom of the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Other Areas:

• Nanih Waiya Mound and Village – This large rectangular platform mound is owned by the Choctaw tribe.
• Jaketown – Two prominent flat-topped rectangular mounds are present at the Jaketown site.
• Winterville – The Winterville site complex consists of flat-topped, rectangular ceremonial mounds of various sizes.
• Chewalla Lake Site – A small mound commemorating the site has been reconstructed near an overlook to the lake.
• Ingomar Mounds – The group of 14 earthworks was explored back in 1885.