On our drive to the Christmas cabin I noticed a sign on the interstate north of Atlanta that caught my attention. It was for the Etowah Indian Mounds. I made a mental note of where it was located and knew I wanted to stop by there and check it out on the way home which we did. Here's some info I found on the mounds:
As the Mississippian Culture came to an end one of its last great cities was here near the juncture of the Etowah River and Pumpkinvine Creek at what today is called the Etowah Indian Mounds State Park. The 54-acre site includes 7 mounds, borrow pits, plaza, portions of the original village and a museum. This major Mississippian Period Cultural Center was home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 to 1500 AD. The largest mound stands over 63 feet high and covers three acres. The impressive archaeological museum interprets life in what is now known as the Etowah Valley Historic District. Beyond the mounds lies the Etowah River where original Indian fish traps can be viewed. Moundbuilders arrived at the Etowah Indian Mounds site about 950 AD. These chiefdoms probably moved east from the Mississippi and featured advanced agricultural techniques, a form of lineal government (the rulers belonged to the same family), religion, and commerce. As the civilizations further south and west encountered problems the Etowah site flourished. Artwork on pottery (both commercial and ceremonial ) showed incredible attention to detail with patterns becoming more elaborate.
