Moundville, Alabama. Located on a plateau 60 feet above
the Black Warrior River in western Alabama, Moundville lies
between two major ecological zones one, the Cumberland Plateau,
a highland with deciduous forests, and the other, the coastal
plain. Among the features of Moundville were residential areas,
public areas, and areas for manufacturing activities, such
as pottery, shellbead manufacturing and basket and mat weaving.
Near the northern end of the plaza were public buildings, and
other specialized buildings, such as mortuaries and sweathouses
were in or near the plaza. By A.D. 1200 Moundville was a major
center, with a possible population of 3,000 in the town itself
and an additional 6,000 to 10,000 people in the surrounding
areas. Of the more than 20 visible mounds in the center, Mound
A is one of the largest.
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Mound
B and reconstructed temple or chief's house. |
Within the stockade of Moundville
are four lakes, probably borrow pits. Copper and bone fish
hooks have been found on the bottoms, and it has been suggested
that the lakes were stocked by the inhabitants. |
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Stone human effigy pipe from Moundville.
Heye Foundation, Museum of The American Indian. |
Copper ornament with
cross and sun circle. The cross has changed into a sort of
curved swastika. This may have been sewn onto a garment.
Heye Foundation, Museum of The American Indian. |
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Copper gorget. Heye Foundation,
Museum of The American Indian. |
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