The Mysterious Mounds of Poverty Point

Today, I visited the Poverty Point State Historic Site in northern Louisiana. What I found interesting were the six concentric earthen ridges and mounds that were constructed by Indigenous people over 3,500 years ago. These mounds were built using baskets to carry the soil and clay to their desired locations. The largest mound, called the Bird Mound, is 72 feet tall and covers an area of 2.25 acres. I also learned that this site was used for trading and religious purposes, and it was once a bustling economic center. The site features a museum and a visitor center with displays of artifacts found on site, including some made from materials that would have been brought from as far away as the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Compared to other historical sites I have visited in Louisiana, Poverty Point was unique in its architecture and cultural significance.