Chucalissa facts for kids
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Chucalissa Site
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C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa (2009)
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1987 Indian Village Drive, Memphis, Tennessee |
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| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001830 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | April 19, 1994 |
The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa is a museum located at an ancient Native American village site. This site is called Chucalissa (which means "abandoned house" in the Chickasaw language). It is found near Memphis, Tennessee, United States.
Chucalissa is an important archaeological site from the Mississippian culture. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1994. This is because it is one of the best-preserved ancient settlement sites in its region.
Exploring the Ancient Village of Chucalissa
Chucalissa was a village with large mounds and a central plaza. It was part of what archaeologists call the "Walls phase." People lived here, then left, and then came back many times. This happened between the years 1000 and 1550 CE.
The village sits on a high cliff overlooking the Mississippi River. Other groups of people lived nearby during the same time. These included the Parkin, Menard, and Nodena phases.
Chucalissa is special because many ancient things have been found here. These include well-preserved buildings, plants, animal bones, and human bones. These findings help us understand how people lived long ago.
Around the early 1540s, the explorer Hernando de Soto traveled through this area. He visited many villages along the Mississippi River. Experts believe the Walls phase villages might be the "Province of Quizquiz" that de Soto wrote about. However, there is no proof that de Soto's group visited Chucalissa itself. It is thought the village was empty at that time.
Discovering Chucalissa: The Museum
In 1938, workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps found old Native American objects at this site. This led to the start of archaeological digs. These digs helped uncover the ancient Mississippian mound complex.
Since 1962, the University of Memphis has managed the C. H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa. They also take care of the village grounds.
In 1973, the Chucalissa Indian Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in 1994, it became a National Historic Landmark. Staff and students from the C. H. Nash Museum manage the site today.
The museum is named after its first director, C. H. Nash. It holds a large collection of artifacts found over 40 years of careful digging. At the site, you can see a mound complex from the Mississippian culture. There is also a nature trail, a hands-on archaeology lab, and exhibits. These exhibits teach about the history and daily life of Native Americans in the southeastern United States.
See also
