The time frame from 200 BCE - 600 CE, in North American history, is known as the Middle Woodland Period. During this large span of time prehistoric native cultures began to move farther from the coasts of the continent, settle in ever larger communities, and established a far-reaching trade network. Also during this period the native inhabitants began building huge geometric earthworks as well as earthen mounds of all sizes. Thousands upon thousands of these structures were constructed during this period, across what is now the eastern United States. Primarily used for religous or ceremonial purposes, a large proportion of mounds have been found to contain elaborate tombs as well. Another unique attribute of these ancient mounds is that rarely were they part of any one neighboring community. It has been determined that many were built in numerous stages, by tribes from all over the regions which surround them. Pinson Mounds, in western Tennessee, was just such a place. Containing over a dozen mounds, along with earthworks and living platforms...ancient artifacts from as far away as south Georgia, Mobile Bay and Louisiana have been found at the site. In its time the Pinson Complex must have been a wonder to behold...even today though, it still has the power to amaze.

The first European to "discover" the site was a land speculator named Joel Pinson, whose name had been given the complex by 1820. Still, it was nearly another century before any academic interest was given the complex. Finally, in 1916, the Smithsonian Institution sent an archaeologist named William E. Meyer to study it. Meyer soon produced the first detailed maps of the site. From the 1960's until the 1990's the Pinson Mound Complex was the site of numerous excavations and studies. In 1974 it was permanently protected by Tennessee's legislature as Pinson Mounds Archaeological State Park. Today the park contains over 1,200 acres of protected land, over 6-miles of trails, and a 4,500-squre foot museum/visitor center constructed to replicate an ancient platform mound. It's an amazing piece of preserved history and one, it seems, should recieve far more attention than it does.

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The following are the historic features visible to the public (in order of appearance in the album):

Mound 11 Sector (habitation site)

Sauls Mound ( 72 feet; 1-300 CE )

Mound 12 ( 4.5 feet; 400-500 CE )

Mound 14 Sector (wall trench house site)

Mound 15 ( 4 feet; 1-300 CE )

Barrow Pit (ancient dig site)

Mound 10 ( 4.5 feet; 200 CE )

Mound 17 ( 6 feet )

Geometric Enclosure ( 1,200' diameter; 16.5 acres )

Mound 29 ( 12 feet; 1-300 CE )

Mound 30 ( 3.5 feet; 1-300 CE )

Mound 28 ( 13.5 feet; 1-300 CE )

Mound 31 ( 3 feet; 300-400 CE )

Twin Mounds ( 23 feet & 26 feet; 100-200 CE )

Ozier Mound ( 33 feet; 100 BCE-100 CE )

"WE WILL BE KNOWN FOREVER BY THE TRACKS WE LEAVE"

- Dakota Sioux proverb

Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park (TN)

Sauls Mound
Height: 72 feet
Base: approx. 370' by 300'
Constructed: 1-300 CE

"Sauls Mound is the central mound of the Pinson Complex. This ceremonial mound is 72 feet tall and has four corners that point to the cardinal directions - north, south, east and west. One hypothesis suggests that the top of this mound was the observation point for observing the Summer Solstice and Equinox sunrises." - Site Interpretive Sign
Western Mound Group
Detached from the trail system surrounding the museum. The western mound group is reached from a small trailhead at the neighboring Pinson Reforestation Complex. The maps available online suggest trails leading from the main mound complex but I couldn't find any evidence of them...perhaps they're trails planned to be built in the future...
Mound 31
Height: 3 feet
Diameter: ~30 feet
Constructed: 300-400 CE

"Archaeological investigations of Mound 31 revealed a centrally located tomb that contained one adult male - over 50 years of age. The burial pit was surrounded by a U-shaped clay berm with the opening of the 'U' oriented to the northeast. A number of human cremations were deposited around the burial pit and covered with this U-shaped clay earthwork. Basketloads of soil were added creating a conical shaped mound. Interestingly, a disarticulated human skull was found in an intrusive hole - dug into the mound sometime after the elderly individual was buried. Archaeologists think the placement of the human skull offering may represent some form of ancestor worship." - Site Interpretive Sign
Mound 6 (Twin Mounds)
Height: 23 feet (north mound); 26 feet (south mound)
Diameter: 65 feet (north mound); 95 feet (south mound)
Constructed: 100-200 CE

"This unusual earthwork consists of a pair of intersecting conical burial mounds. Approximately one-third of the northern mound was excavated in 1983, revealing that the mound was constructed in five stages within a relatively short period of time. Several log and/or matting-covered tombs., containing the the remains of 16 individuals, were exposed at the base of the mound. In one tomb eight young women were buried, each wearing fiber headdresses decorated with copper ornaments. Other items placed with the dead included numerous shell and fresh water pearl beads, a large sheet of mica, and a pair of engraved bone rattles. The film 'The Ritual of the Mounds' documents the excavation of this mound and several of the artifacts are on display in the park museum." - Site Interpretive Sign
Mound 6 (Twin Mounds)
Height: 23 feet (north mound); 26 feet (south mound)
Diameter: 65 feet (north mound); 95 feet (south mound)
Constructed: 100-200 CE

"This unusual earthwork consists of a pair of intersecting conical burial mounds. Approximately one-third of the northern mound was excavated in 1983, revealing that the mound was constructed in five stages within a relatively short period of time. Several log and/or matting-covered tombs., containing the the remains of 16 individuals, were exposed at the base of the mound. In one tomb eight young women were buried, each wearing fiber headdresses decorated with copper ornaments. Other items placed with the dead included numerous shell and fresh water pearl beads, a large sheet of mica, and a pair of engraved bone rattles. The film 'The Ritual of the Mounds' documents the excavation of this mound and several of the artifacts are on display in the park museum." - Site Interpretive Sign
Mound 6 (Twin Mounds)
Height: 23 feet (north mound); 26 feet (south mound)
Diameter: 65 feet (north mound); 95 feet (south mound)
Constructed: 100-200 CE

"Twin Mounds consists of a set of two conjoined burial mounds. Excavation revealed distinctive burial practices that greatly increased our knowledge of the Woodland Tradition and the builders of Pinson Mounds. Excavation at the more northern of the mounds revealed elaborate log-lined tombs containing multiple burials at the base of the mound. A low mound was first built over the tombs, then alternating thin layers of colorful sand were spread over the surface of this low mound. A final cap of earth was constructed over the sand-covered primary mound, bringing the mound to its present height and shape. The southern twin mound has not been excavated but appears to be a burial mound with similar construction episodes." - Site Interpretive Sign
Ozier Mound
Height: 33 feet
Base: 240' by 230'
Constructed: 100 BCE - 100 CE

"At 33 feet tall, Ozier Mound is the second largest mound at the site. In 1981, a mechanical core auger was employed to determine Ozier Mound was built in at least six stages. Archaeological excavations were conducted on the large, flat summit to determine if any ceremonial structures were built on the last stages of this mound. Though the excavation led to the discovery of a number of cultural features, no indications of a structure was found. Wood charcoal was recovered from these cultural features and radiocarbon dated to 100 CE. Interestingly, this radiocarbon date is nearly identical to the dates obtained at the base of the Twin Mounds located approximately 600 feet south of Ozier. It is possible that various rituals or ceremonies took place on top of Ozier Mound during the burial of those important individuals at the base of Twin Mounds." - Site Interpretive Sign
Ozier Mound
Height: 33 feet
Base: 240' by 230'
Constructed: 100 BCE - 100 CE

"At 33 feet tall, Ozier Mound is the second largest mound at the site. In 1981, a mechanical core auger was employed to determine Ozier Mound was built in at least six stages. Archaeological excavations were conducted on the large, flat summit to determine if any ceremonial structures were built on the last stages of this mound. Though the excavation led to the discovery of a number of cultural features, no indications of a structure was found. Wood charcoal was recovered from these cultural features and radiocarbon dated to 100 CE. Interestingly, this radiocarbon date is nearly identical to the dates obtained at the base of the Twin Mounds located approximately 600 feet south of Ozier. It is possible that various rituals or ceremonies took place on top of Ozier Mound during the burial of those important individuals at the base of Twin Mounds." - Site Interpretive Sign
Ozier Mound
Height: 33 feet
Base: 240' by 230'
Constructed: 100 BCE - 100 CE

"The dating of Ozier Mound helped to establish that platform mounds occurred in the earlier Woodland Tradition and not only the later Mississippian previously known for this type of construction. Ozier Mound is a large flat-topped or platform mound that also has ramp access to the platform. The ramp is the earliest known example of this phenomenon that is common in Mississippian Tradition mounds 1,000-years later. This mound was constructed in at least six stages. Each successive summit was covered with a thin layer of white sand. Exotic material such as copper, mica, and non-local chert were found in association of the summit suggesting ritual use." - Site Interpretive Sign
Ozier Mound
Height: 33 feet
Base: 240' by 230'
Constructed: 100 BCE - 100 CE

"The dating of Ozier Mound helped to establish that platform mounds occurred in the earlier Woodland Tradition and not only the later Mississippian previously known for this type of construction. Ozier Mound is a large flat-topped or platform mound that also has ramp access to the platform. The ramp is the earliest known example of this phenomenon that is common in Mississippian Tradition mounds 1,000-years later. This mound was constructed in at least six stages. Each successive summit was covered with a thin layer of white sand. Exotic material such as copper, mica, and non-local chert were found in association of the summit suggesting ritual use." - Site Interpretive Sign
Ozier Mound
One last look back on Ozier Mound. I have to admit, this park far exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend a stop if you're ever in the area, you won't be disappointed either!