The Poverty Point State Commemorative Area contains more than 400 acres of the Poverty Point site, a prehistoric Indian site dating from approximately 1800 B.C. to about 700 B.C. Poverty Point was a major ceremonial and trade center and is the largest known site of the Poverty Point Culture. This culture, or way of life, is represented by over 150 sites, found mainly in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi; although Poverty Point sites have been discovered from southern Indiana to west Florida.
The earthworks contained in the commemorative area include one very large mound, four smaller mounds and six concentric ridges arranged in the shape of a partial octagon. The largest mound is shaped like a bird with outstretched wings. The other smaller mounds are conical and platform mounds.
Artifacts found at Poverty Point indicate that trade and movement of materials took place over great distances. Copper came from the Great Lakes region, galena (raw lead) from Missouri, steatite (soapstone) from the Appalachian area of Alabama and Georgia, hematite and magnetite (forms of iron) from Arkansas and a number of flint types for making chipped artifacts came from Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Other raw materials used in making artifacts came from equally distant locales. The importation of these basic materials was necessitated by the fact that there are no rocks or minerals to be found on or in the Macon Ridge upon which Poverty Point lies. The Macon Ridge is made up of wind blown glacial till (loess) and in the Poverty Point area is over 20 feet deep. Rocks and minerals are also not found in the Mississippi floodplain adjacent to Poverty Point. Thus, the inhabitants of Poverty Point and surrounding areas had to import the raw materials for the manufacture of their artifacts from areas that did have stone and minerals.
Some distinctive artifacts are characteristic of the Poverty Point Culture. The most typical of these are cooking balls. These were made by taking the local topsoil (loess), wetting it and then molding lumps into particular shapes. These shapes were then fired and used to cook food in pit ovens. Other distinctive artifacts include stone beads and pendants often fashioned into animal shaped (especially owls and birds), plummets made of maganatite and hematite (probably used as bolas weights or fish net weights) and microliths (tiny stone tools used in various ways). Pottery is present but uncommon and very crude when it is found. Atlatls (spear throwers) were used with spears for hunting. The bow and arrow are not found since they were not used in the southeastern United States until 400 or 500 A.D.
Poverty Point SCA was acquired by the State of Louisiana in 1972. Since then permanent facilities have been constructed at the site and programs developed to tell the story of this site and its ancient inhabitants. Facilities include a museum, a theatre showing an introductory videofilm, an observation tower outdoor displays, a tram trail for guided tours and several self-guided and marked hiking trails. Special programs are held throughout the year. Part of the interpretive program involves archaeological excavation conducted by professional archaeologists and their students in the summertime. Two facilities, a dormitory and laboratory have been constructed for this program.
Poverty Point is an Historic National Landmark, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of three World Heritage Archaeological Sites north of Mexico. It is recognized worldwide for its archaeological significance.
Poverty Point SCA is open seven days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Days when the Area is closed. The tram with guided tours operates from Easter weekend through Labor Day. Visitors may tour the site on foot when the tram is not running. A trail guide is available at the museum for visitors who walk the site. There is an admission fee.
Return to 
Top
RELATED GORP LINKS
Louisiana Resources
GORP Archaeology
GORPtravel
