Riverview Mounds Archaeological Site facts for kids
 Location in Tennessee
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| Location | Montgomery County, Tennessee,  USA |
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| Region | Montgomery County, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°27′11.12″N 87°17′49.99″W / 36.4530889°N 87.2972194°W |
| History | |
| Founded | 1000 CE |
| Abandoned | 1500 CE |
| Cultures | Mississippian culture |
| Site notes | |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | platform mound |
| Responsible body: Private | |
The Riverview Mounds Archaeological Site is an ancient place in Montgomery County, Tennessee. It is also known as the Rinehart Acres. This site was once home to people of the Mississippian culture. They lived there from about the year 1000 to 1500 CE.
This special site has two large platform mounds. It also includes areas where people lived and where they buried their dead. Even though it's not the biggest site, it's very important. This is because it has been kept safe over time. Many other ancient sites in Tennessee have been damaged or lost. Today, the Riverview Mounds site is part of a place called "RiverView Mounds Family Fun Farm." You can visit it and learn about its history.
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What is the Riverview Mounds Site?
The Riverview Mounds site is an archaeological site. This means it's a place where scientists study the past by looking at things people left behind. It is located south of Clarksville. You can find it on the eastern side of the Cumberland River.
Who Lived at Riverview Mounds?
The people who lived at Riverview Mounds were part of the Mississippian culture. This was a group of Native American people who lived in the southeastern and midwestern parts of North America. They built large towns and often created earth mounds.
The Mississippian people lived at this site for about 500 years. They built their homes and lived their daily lives there. They also built special mounds for their communities.
What are Platform Mounds?
A platform mound is a large, flat-topped hill made by people. The Mississippian people built these mounds for different reasons. Sometimes, important buildings like temples or chiefs' houses were built on top of them. This made the buildings stand out.
At Riverview Mounds, there are two of these platform mounds. These mounds show us how the Mississippian people organized their communities. They also give us clues about their beliefs and leaders.
Why is Riverview Mounds Important?
The Riverview Mounds site is very special because it is well-preserved. Many other ancient sites in Middle Tennessee have been destroyed. Some were lost because cities grew and covered them. Others were damaged by farming over many years. Sadly, some sites were also dug up by people looking for artifacts illegally.
Because Riverview Mounds is so well-preserved, it helps archaeologists learn a lot. They can study how the Mississippian people lived. This site gives us important information about their culture and history.
National Recognition
The Riverview Mounds site is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on March 4, 2009. Being on this list means the site is recognized as a significant part of American history and culture. It helps protect the site for future generations.
Visiting Riverview Mounds Today
Today, the Riverview Mounds site is open to the public. It is part of the "RiverView Mounds Family Fun Farm." This means you can visit the site and see the mounds for yourself. You can also learn more about the Mississippian culture. It's a great way to connect with ancient history.
