DePrato Mounds facts for kids
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 Location in Louisiana
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| Location | Ferriday, Louisiana, Concordia Parish, Louisiana,  USA |
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| Region | Concordia Parish, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 31°37′35.29″N 91°34′35.23″W / 31.6264694°N 91.5764528°W |
| History | |
| Founded | 400 CE |
| Abandoned | 800 CE |
| Cultures | Troyville to Middle Coles Creek culture |
| Site notes | |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural details | Platform mounds |
| Responsible body: The Archaeological Conservancy | |
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DePrato Mounds
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| Location | Address restricted |
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| Nearest city | Ferriday, Louisiana |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001258 |
| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1998 |
The Deprato Mounds, also known as the Ferriday Mounds, is an ancient site in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. It has several large earth mounds built by early people. This place was used by groups from the Troyville culture and the Coles Creek culture. People lived here between 400 CE and 800 CE.
Archaeologists have studied the largest mound. They used a method called radiocarbon dating to find its age. This mound was built around 600 CE. The Deprato Mounds site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. This means it is an important historical place.
What are the Deprato Mounds?
The Deprato Mounds site has five large platform mounds. A platform mound is a flat-topped mound. There is also a central open area called a plaza. The whole site covers about four acres of land. It is located near where Black Bayou and Bayou Cocodrie meet.
Exploring the Mounds
The mounds you see today are smaller than they used to be. Over many centuries, floods have covered the base of the mounds and the plaza. About 3 feet (0.91 m) of dirt and mud have been deposited there.
The biggest mound still standing is called Mound C. Its base is about 82 feet (25 m) long and 66 feet (20 m) wide. It stands about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Another mound, Mound D, was removed to help build a highway. Mound E has a private house built on top of it. During their digs, archaeologists found clues about the people who lived there long ago. This included evidence of ancient burials in three of the mounds.
Protecting History
The Deprato Mounds site is now owned by The Archaeological Conservancy. This is a group that works to protect important archaeological sites. They plan to keep the mounds safe from any future damage.
