Grand Gulf Mound facts for kids
| Location | Port Gibson, Mississippi, Claiborne County, Mississippi,  USA |
|---|---|
| Region | Claiborne County, Mississippi |
| History | |
| Founded | 50CE |
| Abandoned | 200 CE |
| Periods | Woodland period |
| Cultures | Marksville culture |
| Site notes | |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Burial mound |
| Responsible body: private | |
The Grand Gulf Mound (also known as 22CB522) is an ancient archaeological site located near Port Gibson, Mississippi in Claiborne County, Mississippi. It sits on a high piece of land, about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Mississippi River. This special place tells us about people who lived there a very long time ago, between 50 and 200 CE.
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What is the Grand Gulf Mound?
The Grand Gulf Mound is a type of ancient structure called a burial mound. A burial mound is a large pile of earth built by people in the past. These mounds were often used for burying important people or for special ceremonies.
The Grand Gulf Mound is believed to have been built by the Marksville culture. This was a group of Native American people who lived in the lower Mississippi River Valley during the Woodland period. The site has one large mound that still exists today. It's possible there were two other mounds in the past, but they are no longer visible.
Who Built the Mound and When?
The people of the Marksville culture built the Grand Gulf Mound. They lived in this area from about 50 CE to 200 CE. This time period is part of what archaeologists call the Early Marksville period.
The Grand Gulf Mound is one of only four known mounds from this period in the region. The other three are the Marskville Mound 4 and Crooks Mounds A and B, which are all located in nearby Louisiana.
How Was the Mound Built?
Archaeologists believe the Grand Gulf Mound was built in several steps over many years. This is similar to how the Crooks Mound A in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana was constructed.
- First Stage: The builders started with a rectangular platform made of earth. This platform was about 0.5 feet (0.15 meters) high. It was about 20 feet (6.1 meters) wide from east to west and 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) long from north to south.
- Second Stage: After some time, this platform was covered with more earth. This new layer made the mound about 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) high. It was about 26.5 feet (8.1 meters) wide from east to west. A very hard layer of earth, about 0.2 feet (0.06 meters) thick, covered the top of this stage.
- Third Stage: Even more earth was added in a third stage. This brought the mound to a height of about 10 feet (3 meters). It became approximately 32 feet (9.8 meters) wide from east to west.
Unlike some other ancient sites, there is no evidence that a special building or structure was there before the mound was built.
What Was Found at the Site?
During archaeological digs at the Grand Gulf Mound, several interesting objects were discovered. These finds help us learn about the people who lived there.
- Copper Objects: Copper was a valuable material in ancient times. Finding copper objects suggests trade or connections with other groups.
- Marksville Culture Ceramics: These are pottery pieces made by the Marksville people. The style of the pottery helps archaeologists identify the culture that lived there.
- Stone Platform Pipe: This is a special type of pipe made from stone. Such pipes were often used in ceremonies or for smoking tobacco.
Why is the Grand Gulf Mound Important?
The Grand Gulf Mound is very important because it is believed to be the only site in the Natchez Bluffs region that was actively connected to the Hopewell Interaction Sphere.
The Hopewell Interaction Sphere was a large network of trade and cultural exchange. It connected many different Native American groups across eastern North America. Being part of this network means the people at Grand Gulf Mound traded goods and ideas with people from far away. This makes the Grand Gulf Mound a unique and valuable place for understanding ancient American history.
