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Poverty Point State Historic Site
Historic Sites in Louisiana
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The existence of the large Native American mounds and earthworks at Poverty Point
was first reported before the Civil War, but it was not until someone thought to look at
aerial photographs of the site that its true significance became apparent. After decades
of research. archaeologists now report that Poverty Point is the largest Native American
structure in the western hemisphere.
Construction of the mounds and earthworks began more than 3,000 years ago on a
bluff overlooking what is now Bayou Macon and the Mississippi River Delta. At the time
the site was occupied, however, scientists believe the flat expanse below the bluff may
have been a large shallow lake that provided food, raw material and a transportation
route to the Mississippi and beyond. Artifacts unearthed at Poverty Point include quartz
and other crystal from the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, copper from the
Great Lakes and shells from the Gulf of Mexico. Such items indicate that Poverty Point
was the center of a vast trading network thousands of years before the much better
known Mississippians who built earthen mounds across much of what is now the
Southeast and Midwest.
The residents of Poverty Point were also accomplished hunters and artisans. More than
8,000 complete spear points have been recovered from the site and archaeologists
have also discovered a fascinating array of artistic items.
The most astounding display of artistry at Poverty Point, however, is the site itself. The
occupants of the site constructed six semi-circular rings or ridges of earth around a
central plaza more than 37 acres in extent. At their widest point, the concentric ridges
enclose an area some 3/4 of a mile across. Although the height of the earthworks was
greatly reduced by plowing during the 19th and 20th centuries, they can still be seen.
Archaeologists believe that the inhabitants of the site constructed their homes atop the
ridges, all facing inward to the central plaza.
In the central plaza itself, excavations revealed that massive wood posts had once been
erected at the site. The purpose of these posts remains open to discussion, but many
believe they formed the center of some type of ancient calender or observatory along the
lines of England's famed Stonehenge.
Several individual mounds surround the site. Although some of these predate the main
earthworks, they appear to have been incorporated into the overall design of the site. As
is the case with many Native American complexes, there is strong evidence that the
Poverty Point mounds and earthworks were designed to align with certain astronomical
events. Likely they served a functional purpose in helping the residents determine the
changes of the seasons.
The largest of the Poverty Point earthworks, Mound A, towers some 72 feet above the
surface of the rest of the site. Considering normal erosion patterns over the more than
2,000 years since the site was abandoned, some experts believe the mound may once
have topped 100 feet in height. From the air, the mound appears to take the shape of a
giant bird. Wings and the feet of the effigy are clearly apparent, although the head is
more difficult to visualize. It is of note, though, that the placement of the mound at the
outermost point of the concentric rings of earthworks allows the entire site to take on the
shape of a huge bird. Birds, in fact, were commonly represented in the art of Poverty
Point.
Other mounds at the site include Mounds B and C, which are known to have been
associated with the Poverty Point earthworks. Sarah's Mound, also on the site, was a
platform mound from a later era and the Ballcourt Mound appears to be a mound,
although it may also be a natural hillock.
No one knows for sure what led to the abandonment of the Poverty Point site. Perhaps
the shallow lake dried up or perhaps there was some collapse in religious or societal
beliefs. Regardless, Poverty Point was the center of a massive civilization, a culture that
developed in the Delta region of Northeast Louisiana centuries before the laying of the
first stones on the famed Mayan pyramids.
All of the great Native American civilizations that soon spread across the U.S. Southeast
and Midwest were born here on the banks of Bayou Macon. And as great as were the
accomplishments of the Hopewell, Woodland and Mississippian cultures, none ever
undertook a public works project of the scope and size as that constructed by the
prehistoric hunters and gatherers of Poverty Point. The site is a designated National
Monument, but is operated by the State of Louisiana which does a phenomenal job of
preserving, interpreting and maintaining the earthworks.
was first reported before the Civil War, but it was not until someone thought to look at
aerial photographs of the site that its true significance became apparent. After decades
of research. archaeologists now report that Poverty Point is the largest Native American
structure in the western hemisphere.
Construction of the mounds and earthworks began more than 3,000 years ago on a
bluff overlooking what is now Bayou Macon and the Mississippi River Delta. At the time
the site was occupied, however, scientists believe the flat expanse below the bluff may
have been a large shallow lake that provided food, raw material and a transportation
route to the Mississippi and beyond. Artifacts unearthed at Poverty Point include quartz
and other crystal from the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, copper from the
Great Lakes and shells from the Gulf of Mexico. Such items indicate that Poverty Point
was the center of a vast trading network thousands of years before the much better
known Mississippians who built earthen mounds across much of what is now the
Southeast and Midwest.
The residents of Poverty Point were also accomplished hunters and artisans. More than
8,000 complete spear points have been recovered from the site and archaeologists
have also discovered a fascinating array of artistic items.
The most astounding display of artistry at Poverty Point, however, is the site itself. The
occupants of the site constructed six semi-circular rings or ridges of earth around a
central plaza more than 37 acres in extent. At their widest point, the concentric ridges
enclose an area some 3/4 of a mile across. Although the height of the earthworks was
greatly reduced by plowing during the 19th and 20th centuries, they can still be seen.
Archaeologists believe that the inhabitants of the site constructed their homes atop the
ridges, all facing inward to the central plaza.
In the central plaza itself, excavations revealed that massive wood posts had once been
erected at the site. The purpose of these posts remains open to discussion, but many
believe they formed the center of some type of ancient calender or observatory along the
lines of England's famed Stonehenge.
Several individual mounds surround the site. Although some of these predate the main
earthworks, they appear to have been incorporated into the overall design of the site. As
is the case with many Native American complexes, there is strong evidence that the
Poverty Point mounds and earthworks were designed to align with certain astronomical
events. Likely they served a functional purpose in helping the residents determine the
changes of the seasons.
The largest of the Poverty Point earthworks, Mound A, towers some 72 feet above the
surface of the rest of the site. Considering normal erosion patterns over the more than
2,000 years since the site was abandoned, some experts believe the mound may once
have topped 100 feet in height. From the air, the mound appears to take the shape of a
giant bird. Wings and the feet of the effigy are clearly apparent, although the head is
more difficult to visualize. It is of note, though, that the placement of the mound at the
outermost point of the concentric rings of earthworks allows the entire site to take on the
shape of a huge bird. Birds, in fact, were commonly represented in the art of Poverty
Point.
Other mounds at the site include Mounds B and C, which are known to have been
associated with the Poverty Point earthworks. Sarah's Mound, also on the site, was a
platform mound from a later era and the Ballcourt Mound appears to be a mound,
although it may also be a natural hillock.
No one knows for sure what led to the abandonment of the Poverty Point site. Perhaps
the shallow lake dried up or perhaps there was some collapse in religious or societal
beliefs. Regardless, Poverty Point was the center of a massive civilization, a culture that
developed in the Delta region of Northeast Louisiana centuries before the laying of the
first stones on the famed Mayan pyramids.
All of the great Native American civilizations that soon spread across the U.S. Southeast
and Midwest were born here on the banks of Bayou Macon. And as great as were the
accomplishments of the Hopewell, Woodland and Mississippian cultures, none ever
undertook a public works project of the scope and size as that constructed by the
prehistoric hunters and gatherers of Poverty Point. The site is a designated National
Monument, but is operated by the State of Louisiana which does a phenomenal job of
preserving, interpreting and maintaining the earthworks.
| Museum and Interpretive Center Poverty Point State Historic Site Epps, Louisiana |
The Poverty Point Site in North American Prehistory
| Diagram of Poverty Point Interpretive Panel on Walking Tour Poverty Point State Historic Site |
| Apex of 72-foot high Mound A Poverty Point State Historic Site Epps, Louisiana |
| Concentric Ridges Poverty Point State Historic Site Epps, Louisiana |