Balmoral Mounds facts for kids
Location | Somerset, Louisiana, Tensas Parish, Louisiana, ![]() |
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Region | Tensas Parish, Louisiana |
Coordinates | 32°7′55″N 91°14′26.3″W / 32.13194°N 91.240639°W |
History | |
Founded | 700 CE |
Abandoned | 1200 |
Cultures | Coles Creek culture |
Site notes | |
Responsible body: private |
The Balmoral Mounds (also known as 16 TE 12) is an ancient place where people lived a long time ago. It's an archaeological site in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. This site was built by people from the Coles Creek culture. You can find parts of the site on both sides of a road called US 65, close to Bayou Rousset.
What are the Balmoral Mounds?
The Balmoral Mounds site has three large platform mounds. A platform mound is like a big, flat-topped hill made by people. These three mounds are arranged in a perfect triangle shape.
Mound A
Mound A is the one furthest to the southwest. It stands about 11 feet (3.4 meters) tall. Its base, or bottom, is about 150 feet (46 meters) long and 165 feet (50 meters) wide.
Mound B
Mound B is the mound furthest north. It's shaped like a dome, which means it's rounded on top. This mound is about 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall. Its base measures about 100 feet (30 meters) by 130 feet (40 meters).
Mound C
Mound C is the other mound in the northern part of the triangle. It's also shaped like a dome. This mound is about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. Its base is about 130 feet (40 meters) by 150 feet (46 meters).
Scientists took small samples from Mounds A and C. These samples suggest that both mounds were built around the same time. They were also built in one main effort, not in many different stages.
Where are the Balmoral Mounds?
The Balmoral Mounds site is located on US 65. It's about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) south of a town called Somerset.