Poverty Point National Monument Overview

The time was eight centuries after Egyptian slaves dragged huge stones across the desert to build the Great Pyramids. The place was across the globe at a site in what is now northeastern Louisiana. The people were a highly civilized group who left behind for us to share one of the most important archaeological sites in North America.

The Poverty Point inhabitants, like the ancient Egyptians, set for themselves an enormous task as they built a complex array of earthen mounds overlooking the Mississippi River flood plain. The central construction consists of six rows of concentric ridges, which at one time were five to ten feet high. The four aisles and five sections of ridges suggest an octagonal shape, although the ridges probably never formed a complete octagon. The diameter of the outermost ridges measures three-quarters of a mile. Bayou Macon, which flows past the site, has eroded some of the original complex. It is thought that these ridges served as foundations for dwellings. Artifacts and features discovered during excavations support this theory.

Earth mounds were also built on the site. Immediately to the west of the concentric ridges lies Poverty Point Mound, a spectacular bird-shaped mound measuring about 700 by 800 feet at its base and rising 70 feet into the sky. To the north is Mound "B," a 20-foot-high conical mound, which was constructed over a crematory.

Poverty Point's inhabitants imported certain essential supplies from great distances. Projectile points and other stone tools found at Poverty Point were made from raw materials that originated in the Ohio and Tennessee River Valleys. Soapstone for vessels came from the Appalachian foothills of northern Alabama and Georgia. It is remarkable that these people established such an extensive trade network so long ago.

To prosper, cultures must adapt to their environment. One adaptation of the Poverty Point people was made in the field of food preparation. Other peoples at this time used heated stones in earth ovens or hearths as a method of cooking. Since there were no stones at Poverty Point, the people ingeniously molded clay balls for this purpose. Made by hand and hardened by firing, these balls were a perfect substitute for stones. Thousands of the balls, in many shapes and designs, have been found at the site.

Many more fascinating details of the Poverty Point lifestyle are on exhibit for visitors to enjoy. A large number of beads of various shapes and sizes including bird effigies, have been found at the site. There are also many small stone tools, some with serrated edges called "microliths," which are unique to this culture.

Poverty Point is indeed a rare remnant of an exceptional culture. It has been estimated that it took some five million man-hours to build the massive earthworks. When one considers that the laborers carried this dirt to the site in baskets of about 50-pound capacity, it is obvious that this was a great community engineering feat. The age, size and character of this collection of structures clearly place them among the most significant finds in America today. Dated between 700 and 1700 B.C. this 400-acre site is unmatched among archaeological sites on this continent. In 1962, Poverty Point was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior and as such, joined a select group of properties that have been recognized for their importance in American history. An interpretive museum and guided tours highlight activities at the park.

Lookout Point
Among the features in the visitors' center is a viewing tower that offers a panoramic view of the site, including Poverty Point Mound. At the base of the tower is a scale model of the entire facility that can be seen from atop the tower. The model gives the visitor a perspective he is unable to gain from the ground.

Discovering Poverty Point
There is still a lot to learn about the inhabitants of Poverty Point. This is the job of the archaeologists who painstakingly investigate the site, looking for answers. Through their efforts, much has been learned and numerous artifacts recovered. As part of the interpretive program, visitors are taken to the site of any ongoing investigations whenever there are archaeologists at work.

Poverty Point State Commemorative Area (P.O. Box 276, Epps, Louisiana 71237 318926-5492) is located in West Carroll Parish, east of Monroe on LA 577. The site features ancient Indian mounds that date back to 12 centuries before the birth of Christ. A museum includes an audio-visual presentation and numerous artifacts found on the site. Visitors are taken by tram to the biggest mound and given time to climb to the top. An archaeological workshop, a picnic area and restrooms complete the facility.