Etowah National Historic Site Map (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site Map
Etowah Grand Temple Mound (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
The Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Barrow County, Georgia, is considered to be the most well-preserved Mississippian culture site in the southeastern United States.
The 54-acre complex, which includes six different mounds, was home to thousands of Mississippian Indians between 1000 and 1550 CE.
Etowah Indian Mounds (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
Effigies from Etowah (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
When Mound C was excavated in the 1950s, archaeologists discovered male and female effigies with some paint still visible.
Effigy Sculptures at Etowah (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
An effigy is a sculptural representation of an individual. Mississippian Indians often created effigies for religious purposes like burial ceremonies.
Lesser Mound at Etowah (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
The Lesser Temple Mound (Mound B) is believed to be an area where priests or government officials gathered. Archaeologists suggest that it was originally shaped like a square, until plowing and farming softened its edges to the current form.
Etowah Pottery Shards (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
These storage vessel shards suggest that the Mississippian Indians at Etowah had developed more permanent settlements than previous Paleo or Archaic Indians.
Shell Gorget
Shell gorgets were polished pendants used for ceremonial purposes and typically worn around the neck by religious, government, or military officials. A gorget similar to this one depicting a bird-man was found near Mound B.
Ancient Native American Pottery and Religion (2016) by Georgia Public BroadcastingGeorgia Public Broadcasting
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site
