Ghost Site Mounds facts for kids
Ghost Site Mounds (also known as 16 TE 18) is an old archaeological site in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. It shows signs of two ancient groups of people: the Coles Creek culture (who lived there from about 700 to 1200 CE) and the Plaquemine culture (who lived there from about 1200 to 1541 CE).
 Location in Louisiana
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| Location | Newellton, Louisiana, Tensas Parish, Louisiana,  USA |
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| Region | Tensas Parish, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 32°5′34.5″N 91°27′1.7″W / 32.092917°N 91.450472°W |
| History | |
| Founded | 700 CE |
| Abandoned | 1541 |
| Cultures | Coles Creek culture, Plaquemine culture |
| Site notes | |
| Responsible body: private | |
Contents
What Do the Mounds Look Like?
The Ghost Site Mounds originally had several mounds, but only three are still standing today.
The Largest Mound
Mound A is the biggest mound. It is about 11 feet (3.4 m) tall. Its base is about 118 feet (36 m) long and 92 feet (28 m) wide. This type of mound is called a platform mound, which means it has a flat top. For a long time, people used this mound as a cemetery.
Since 1990, parts of Mound A have been damaged by erosion. This happened after some of its soil was taken away to build a dam across a nearby bayou.
The Smaller Mounds
The other two mounds, Mound B and Mound C, are smaller. They are shaped like domes and are less than 2 feet (0.61 m) tall. Their bases are about 60 feet (18 m) long and 90 feet (27 m) wide. Mound B was also partly removed for the dam project, but Mound C is still complete. There are two other small raised areas, Mound D and Mound E. It's not clear if these were also mounds built by people or if they are natural bumps in the land.
Clues from the Past: What Archaeologists Found
Archaeologists have done some limited digging and testing at the Ghost Site Mounds. They found interesting clues buried beneath Mounds A and B. These clues included bone, shell, pottery (also called ceramics), and charcoal.
By looking at the designs on the pottery, archaeologists could tell that these items were from the Early to Middle Coles Creek period (700–1200 CE). More items were found in Mounds B and C. These items were dated to the Plaquemine period (1200 to 1541 CE). These findings help us learn about the different groups of people who lived here long ago.
Where Can You Find the Mounds?
The Ghost Site Mounds are located on Louisiana Highway 4. They are about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) east of where Highway 4 meets Highway 128. The site is next to a bayou that flows into the Tensas River.
