Louisiana has the second to largest American mound in the United Louisiana has the second to largest American mound in the United States. The historical landmark is called Poverty Point. The huge States. The historical landmark is called Poverty Point. The huge mound is near Epps, Louisiana, in West Carroll Parish. The mound is near Epps, Louisiana, in West Carroll Parish. The beautiful site was built by the Poverty Point Indians long ago. beautiful site was built by the Poverty Point Indians long ago.

When the Poverty Point Indian tribes lived in Louisiana, they made When the Poverty Point Indian tribes lived in Louisiana, they made their mark by creating this beautiful site. The largest mound in their mark by creating this beautiful site. The largest mound in Poverty Point is called the Bird Effigy Mound. The Bird Effigy Poverty Point is called the Bird Effigy Mound. The Bird Effigy Mound is 3/4 mile across, 70 feet high, and looks like a bird when Mound is 3/4 mile across, 70 feet high, and looks like a bird when viewed.viewed.  

Epps, Louisiana (Wikipedia Map)

The site is was first thought to be a natural formation when The site is was first thought to be a natural formation when discovered in 1873. However, aerial shots in the 1950’s revealed discovered in 1873. However, aerial shots in the 1950’s revealed the complexity and pattern of the earthwork. It was then the complexity and pattern of the earthwork. It was then determined that this was man made, not a natural formation. In determined that this was man made, not a natural formation. In 1962, Poverty Point was designated it as a National Historic 1962, Poverty Point was designated it as a National Historic Landmark.Landmark.

Photo from National Monument Center

Poverty Point is a prehistoric archeological site dating Poverty Point is a prehistoric archeological site dating between 1650 – 700 BC in northeastern Louisiana. between 1650 – 700 BC in northeastern Louisiana.

The Poverty Point Culture flourished from flourished from approximately 2000 B.C. to 600 B.C. approximately 2000 B.C. to 600 B.C. Poverty Point people lived in Louisiana, Poverty Point people lived in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas areas. They Mississippi, and Arkansas areas. They usually settled near lakes, rivers, or in usually settled near lakes, rivers, or in coastal marshes. Areas near water coastal marshes. Areas near water sources were supported by a wide variety sources were supported by a wide variety of plants and animals that could be used of plants and animals that could be used for food. Deer, rabbits, geese, ducks, and for food. Deer, rabbits, geese, ducks, and turkeys flourished in this habitat.turkeys flourished in this habitat.

Photo by Theresa Hardy

Photo by Jude Dubois

Some Some Poverty Point Indians lived in scattered groups, but Poverty Point Indians lived in scattered groups, but others established areas where large populations lived, much others established areas where large populations lived, much like Meso-Indians. like Meso-Indians.

Often at these sites, oval or horseshoe-shaped structures of Often at these sites, oval or horseshoe-shaped structures of earth or shell were usually built. Though the reason is earth or shell were usually built. Though the reason is unknown, it appears that the sites possibly functioned as unknown, it appears that the sites possibly functioned as ceremonial, political, and trading centers.ceremonial, political, and trading centers.

Wikipedia Photo: Poverty Point

The Poverty Point Site in northeastern Louisiana was the largest The Poverty Point Site in northeastern Louisiana was the largest regional center. When it was built, it lay between the Mississippi regional center. When it was built, it lay between the Mississippi and the Arkansas rivers. Using the river and land routes, Poverty and the Arkansas rivers. Using the river and land routes, Poverty Point Indians traded with other Indians as far away as Wisconsin, Point Indians traded with other Indians as far away as Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Florida. Tennessee, and Florida.

Sources of Poverty Point Trade Materials

Drawing by Denise A. Malter, Courtesy of Louisiana Division of ArchaeologyGraphic retrieved from Louisiana Archaeology Poverty Point Trade and Symbolic Objects:

http://www.crt.state.la.us/archaeology/POVERPOI/trade.htm

The Poverty Point site covers an area The Poverty Point site covers an area of roughly 400 acres. Centrally located of roughly 400 acres. Centrally located in the site are six curved earthen in the site are six curved earthen ridges with flat corridors of earth ridges with flat corridors of earth separating the individual ridges. separating the individual ridges.

Two ramps divide the ridges into three Two ramps divide the ridges into three sections. Now each ridge is currently sections. Now each ridge is currently about a meter high. However, it is about a meter high. However, it is believed that they were once five feet believed that they were once five feet high. high.

The outer ridge diameter is three-The outer ridge diameter is three-quarters of a mile. The innermost quarters of a mile. The innermost ridge’s diameter is about three-eights ridge’s diameter is about three-eights of a mile.of a mile.

Wikipedia Photo: Poverty Point

The amazing thing is that to The amazing thing is that to create this monument, the create this monument, the Indians loosened shells and Indians loosened shells and stones and brought all of that stones and brought all of that to the mound. to the mound.

The artifacts in the ground can The artifacts in the ground can tell us a little about that time tell us a little about that time and the people who lived and the people who lived there.there.

Wikipedia Photo: Poverty Point

Although archaeologists have not found any articles of clothing Although archaeologists have not found any articles of clothing from these ancient people, they have found jewelry. Of the from these ancient people, they have found jewelry. Of the jewelry found, they range from simple to elaborate. Many seem jewelry found, they range from simple to elaborate. Many seem to feel this indicates that social status was important in the to feel this indicates that social status was important in the Poverty Point community. Poverty Point community.

Stone Ornaments: Pendants, Beads, Effigies, Fat-Bellied Owls

Graphic retrieved from Louisiana Archaeology Poverty Point Trade and Symbolic Objects: http://www.crt.state.la.us/archaeology/POVERPOI/trade.htm. Photo is used in the Louisiana Comprehensive

Curriculum for 8th Grade.

The Poverty Point Culture no longer exists however, their The Poverty Point Culture no longer exists however, their tribe left a tremendous gift and a wonderful work of art for tribe left a tremendous gift and a wonderful work of art for the state.the state.

Without a doubt, this is one group of people who truly made Without a doubt, this is one group of people who truly made their mark for everyone to see! It is a true treasure of their mark for everyone to see! It is a true treasure of Louisiana!Louisiana!

Wikipedia Photo

Poverty Point Earthworks: Evolutionary Milestones of the Americas

Poverty Point National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) Poverty Point Earthworks: Evolutionary Milestones of the

Americas--Video Clips CRT - Louisiana State Parks Fees, Facilities and Activities Louisiana Archaeology Poverty Point Anthropological Study

Series The Archaeology Channel - Poverty Point Earthworks:

Evolutionary Milestones of the Americas Indians in Louisiana: The Poverty Point Site Louisiana: Indians in Northeast Louisiana Poverty Point culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Poverty Point Louisiana archaeology Poverty Point Expeditions

Reference and Resource Links