Flowery Mound facts for kids
 Location in Louisiana
|
|
| Location | Saint Joseph, Louisiana, Tensas Parish, Louisiana,  USA |
|---|---|
| Region | Tensas Parish, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 31°56′26.9″N 91°16′16.6″W / 31.940806°N 91.271278°W |
| History | |
| Founded | 950 CE |
| Abandoned | 1541 CE |
| Cultures | Plaquemine culture, Mississippian culture |
| Site notes | |
| Responsible body: private | |
Flowery Mound is an exciting archaeological site located in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. It's a place where scientists study the past. This site shows signs of ancient people who lived there. These groups were called the Late Coles Creek and Plaquemine-Mississippian culture. People lived here a long time ago, from about 950 to 1541 CE.
Exploring Flowery Mound
This amazing site is found near Andrews Bayou. The main feature is a very well-kept platform mound. A platform mound is a large, flat-topped hill built by people.
Size of the Mound
The Flowery Mound is about 10 feet (3.0 m) tall. That's like a two-story building! Its base measures about 165 feet (50 m) by 130 feet (40 m). The flat top of the mound is about 50 feet (15 m) square.
How the Mound Was Built
Scientists took samples from inside the mound. These samples showed that the mound was built all at once. It was not built in many different stages. The different types of soil used to build it can still be seen. This helps scientists know that the mound is not extremely old.
Dating the Site
Scientists used a method called radiocarbon dating. They tested charcoal found under the mound. This charcoal was from a midden. A midden is like an ancient trash heap. It holds clues about what people ate and used.
The dating showed that people lived at this site from 996 to 1162 CE. This was during the Coles Creek period. The mound itself was built later. It was constructed between 1200 and 1541 CE. This happened during the Plaquemine/Mississippian period.
Scientists also looked at pottery found at the site. The style of the pottery helped confirm these dates. It matched the styles from the Plaquemine and Mississippian cultures.
