Toltec Mounds State Park

In the modern farmlands of the Arkansas River Valley are the remains of a large group of ancient earthworks known as Toltec Mounds. This impressive archeological site has attracted national interest for over 100 years and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1978. Toltec Mounds State Park is managed cooperatively by the Department of Parks and Tourism and the Arkansas Archeological Survey to preserve and interpret this important and complex archeological site.

History

Identification of the site with the Toltecs is a mistake. Mrs. Gilbert Knapp, owner from 1857 to 1900, thought the mounds had been built by the Toltecs of Mexico. Investigations by archeologists in 1883 proved that these mounds, like others in North America, had been built by ancestors of the North American Indians. Toltec Mounds is one of the largest and most complex sites in the Lower Mississippi Valley. Located on the bank of Mound Pond, it once had an 8 to 10 foot-high earthen embankment on three sides. A century ago, 16 mounds were known inside the embankment and two of them were 38 and 50 feet high. Today, several mounds and a remnant of the embankment are visible and locations of other mounds are known.

Toltec Mounds in the Ninth Century

The people who built Toltec Mounds and lived in the central Arkansas area had a way of life, or culture, that was distinctive from other contemporary groups in the Mississippi Valley. This culture is named Plum Bayou. The people lived in permanent villages and hamlets. They built sturdy houses and farmed as well as gathered wild plant foods, fished, and hunted.

Mound groups, such as this one, were religious and social centers for people living in the surrounding countryside. The Toltec center had a small population, primarily of the political and religious leaders of the community and their families. This center was occupied and built from about 600 to 950 AD

The embankment was an impressive earthwork 8 to 10 feet high and 5,298 feet long with a ditch on the outside. Mounds were placed along the edges of two open areas (plazas) which were used for political, religious, and social activities attended by people from the vicinity. Mound locations seem to have been planned using principles based on alignment with important solar positions and standardized units of measurement. Most of the mounds were square or rectangular, flat-topped platforms with buildings on them. Mound B (38' high) was constructed and enlarged over a long period of time with religious buildings on it. Mounds such as D, E, S, and G, were low platforms, apparently with houses on them. Mound C (12' high) was dome-shaped and constructed to cover burials. Indians also lived here in the 1400s, but they did not build the mounds.

Archeological Research

The current research program at Toltec began in 1977 and continues today. One problem is to learn how much evidence of the prehistoric Indian occupation still remains after 135 years of farming. Recovery of artifacts and information by excavation is one part of research and many hours are spent studying the artifacts and writing articles and books. Excavations are conducted when funds are available. Excavations of the large mounds will not take place until more is known about the site because it is an expensive process and requires a large staff. Studies are expected to continue for a long time as archeologists discover who lived here, how long they were here, and what changes took place over the centuries.

Facilities & Programs

Interpretive programs relate what archeologists are learning about the people who lived here and the archeological investigations on the Toltec site. Visitor access onto the Toltec site is by guided or self-guided tours. Tours leave the Visitor Center at scheduled times and follow the Knapp Trail, a three-quarter mile, barrier-free trail. Tour guides talk about current knowledge of the site and its features as well as research questions that the archeologists are investigating. Points of interest along the tour are the various earthworks and the lake environment.

A nominal fee is charged for on-site tours. Schools and interested groups may request programs to meet specific interests. Organized groups should schedule programs well in advance. By scheduling programs at least one week in advance, groups of 20 or more will receive a reduced tour fee. Any size school group will receive a reduced tour fee with reservations made one week in advance.The Visitor Center contains interpretive exhibits, audio/visual room, archeological laboratory, park offices, vending and gift sales area, and rest rooms. Exhibits feature artifacts and resources from the site, explain what is known about the site and how the archeologist works. The Toltec Research Station of the Arkansas Archeological Survey is housed in the archeological laboratory.

The park has a limited number of unshaded picnic tables. Campgrounds are located at the US Army Corps of Engineers' Use Area 8 miles from the state park. Pets must be kept on a leash and cannot be permitted in any building.

Location

The park is located 16 miles southeast of North Little Rock and 9 miles northwest of England, off US Hwy. 165 on Arkansas Highway 386; OR, take Exit 169 off I-40, going south on Arkansas Highway 15 for 14 miles to Keo, then northwest on US Highway 165 for 4 miles; OR, from I-440, take Exit 7 (England), going southeast on US Hwy. 165 for 10 miles to the park.

Park Hours

Open: Tuesday - Saturday 8-5
Open: Sunday 12-5
Closed: Mondays (except Memorial Day and
Closed: Labor Day)
Closed: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Closed: Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

For further information on park hours or programs, contact:
Toltec Mounds State Park
490 Toltec Mounds Road
Scott, AR 72142
Telephone: (501) 961-9442

For information on Arkansas' other fine state parks, contact:
Arkansas State Parks
One Capitol Mall, 4A-900
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-1191

All park services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arkansas State Parks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.