Temple Mound

Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site preserves the site of an ancient Native American ceremonial site in the southern Piedmont of North Carolina. Located just over an hour east of Charlotte, the site dates back over 1,000 years and provides a fascinating insight to visitors of an extensive culture that spread all across the southeast during this time period. The mound was constructed by the Pee Dee Tribe around A.D. 1000 and was occupied for over 400 years. The complex served as an important center of trade and culture for the tribe. Located on the site is the original temple mound and a handful of reconstructed structures which are open for visitors to explore. Historic sites of this age are far and few between in this part of the country so the Town Creek site has a cultural and historic significance which far exceeds its unassuming size. Though I wouldn't necessarily recommend a long trip just to visit it, if you are in the area I would strongly suggest you stop by...it really is a fascinating place...

Town Creek Indian Mound, NC (1-4-14)

Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site
Town Creek Indian Mound Site Map
Visitor Center
Not a lot of thought went into the design of the visitor center at Town Creek...
Visitor Center
Inside the visitor center there were a few simple displays explaining the progression of ancient Indian cultures in the area as well as the discovery, excavation, and preservation of the Town Creek site...
Visitor Center
A photo displaying what was found inside the mounds during the excavation phase of the sites. Numerous graves are scattered throughout one of the mounds...
Access Path
Exiting the back of the visitor center a short trail leads through a field of tall grass to the mound site...
Access Path
Approaching the north gate...
North Gate
Archaeological excavations have discovered the existence of two gates, one on the north and one on the south, as well as the remains of a palisade wall surrounding the site...
North Gate
Heading through the reconstructed north gate...
Town Creek Ceremonial Center
First views of the site as we pass through the north gate...
Town Creek Ceremonial Center
The interior of the Town Creek Ceremonial Center as seen from the north gate. Though quite open now the center originally had at over 15 structures of various sizes within its walls...
Burial Hut & Temple Mound
The Burial Hut with the Temple Mound beyond...
Burial Hut
The original building was erected on this spot over 600 years ago. These huts provided a place for members of the tribal community to ceremonially bury their dead. Numerous such structures were likely located at Town Creek, possibly one for each tribal clan...
Temple Mound
The centerpiece of the Town Creek Ceremonial Center was the Temple Mound which rises above the surrounding grounds. It was here that spiritual and political leaders of the ancient Pee Dee Tribe would gather for numerous ceremonies and rituals. The mound itself is around 1,000 years old and survived remarkably intact despite years of farming in the area. The temple structure atop it is, of course, a reconstruction...
Temple Mound
A long sloping eastward facing ramp provides access from the plaza area below...
Temple Mound
A look at the interior of the mound where numerous religious, medical, and other cultural ceremonies would have taken place. Simple wooden benches surround a central fire pit while simple painted murals decorate the walls...
Temple Mound
A small open roof allows for ventilation. The simple but at the same time complex craftsmanship of the roof construction can be seen here. The poles give support while a double layer of river cane and straw provide weatherproofing...
Temple Mound
Looking out over the main plaza of the ceremonial center from atop the temple mound. The burial hut and north gate are to the left with the minor temple and south gate to the center and right...
Plaza
The south end of the plaza with the stockaded minor temple across the way. The tall wooden pole was thought to be used for ball games...
Temple Mound
Looking down at the burial hut and north gate from atop the temple mound...
Minor Temple
Along the eastern wall is what is called the 'minor temple' which sports its own protective stockade. I failed to note the significance between this minor temple and the main temple on the mound but the fact that Town Creek housed numerous such structures no doubt denotes it as a very important place for the ancient Pee Dee's...
Minor Temple
A look inside the more simply constructed minor temple, note the open walls...
Minor Temple
Along the eastern palisade next to the minor temple...
Minor Temple
Whatever the purpose of the minor temple, those who used it must have required a certain amount of privacy due to its own private stockade...
Town Creek Ceremonial Center
Looking across the Town Creek Ceremonial Center from the south end of the plaza. The Temple Mound rises to the left, the game pole stands in the center, the burial hut is in the distance, with the minor temple stockade just visible to the right...
South Gate
The southern wall of the palisade has not been covered in mortar allowing you to see its simple yet effective construction. Archaeologists have found the remains of at least five different walls on the site...
Town Creek Nature Trail
Exiting the south gate we decided to follow the nature trail back to the visitor center...
Town Creek Nature Trail
A short distance down the trail is this large opening which I'm guessing is a convenient place for interpretive demonstrations at different times of the year...
Little River
Looking down at the lazy, muddy Little River along which the Town Creek site is located...
Town Creek Nature Trail
Entering a forest of tall pines...
Town Creek Nature Trail
Passing an easy tree to identify due to its stubborn refusal to let go of its leaves in winter...a young Beech...
Town Creek Nature Trail
The trail is quite UN-stimulating all though there are a few signs that help with tree identification like this...
Town Creek Nature Trail
The wide straight path leads through the tall, neatly planted pine forest back to the visitor center. Despite the cold, dreary weather I think we all were able to appreciate what a unique piece of North Carolina history we had just experienced and enjoyed the visit none-the-less...