Marsden Mounds facts for kids
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Marsden (16R13)
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| Nearest city | Delhi, Louisiana |
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| NRHP reference No. | 04000803 |
| Added to NRHP | August 4, 2004 |
 Location in Louisiana
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| Location | Delhi, Louisiana |
| Region | Richland Parish, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 32°29′10.9″N 91°29′30″W / 32.486361°N 91.49167°W |
| History | |
| Founded | 1500 BCE |
| Abandoned | 1200 CE |
| Cultures | Poverty Point culture, Troyville-Coles Creek culture |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | platform mounds, embankment, plaza |
| Architectural details | Number of monuments: |
Marsden Mounds (also known as 16 R 13) is an ancient place where people lived a very long time ago. It's an archaeological site in Richland Parish, Louisiana, close to Delhi. This site has remains from two different ancient groups: the Poverty Point culture (around 1500 BCE) and the Troyville-Coles Creek period (from about 400 to 1200 CE).
Marsden Mounds was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 4, 2004. This means it's an important historical place that is protected. It is also known as the type site for the Marsden Phase, which was a time period between 500 and 600 CE in this area.
Exploring the Ancient Earthworks
The Marsden Mounds site has special structures made of earth. These are called earthworks. They include five large platform mounds and two parts of an earthen wall or bank.
The Mounds and Their Layout
- Mounds A, B, C, and D are smaller mounds. They are about 3 feet (0.91 m) to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall.
- These four mounds are found along the eastern edge of a place called Maçon Ridge.
- A section of the earthen wall connects three of these mounds.
Mound E is the biggest mound at the site.
- It stands about 13 feet (4.0 m) high.
- Its base is about 150 feet (46 m) by 150 feet (46 m).
- The flat top of the mound measures about 130 feet (40 m) by 130 feet (40 m).
- Mound E and another part of the earthen wall are located across a large open area. This area is called a plaza.
- The plaza is about 300 feet (91 m) southwest of the other mounds.
Who Lived Here and When?
Archaeologists have studied Marsden Mounds to learn about the people who built these earthworks.
- They found tools and other items from the Poverty Point culture under some of the mounds.
- This shows that people lived here as early as 1500 BCE. This time is known as the Archaic period in North America.
Scientists also used a method called radiocarbon dating.
- They tested charcoal from one of the smaller mounds.
- The results showed that people were building and using the mounds between 400 and 1200 CE.
- This later period is called the Late Woodland Troyville-Coles Creek period.
Today, Marsden Mounds is part of the Poverty Point Reservoir State Park. It is open for visitors to explore on foot.
