Sundown Mounds facts for kids
 Location in Louisiana
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| Location | Mayflower, Louisiana, Tensas Parish, Louisiana,  USA |
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| Region | Tensas Parish, Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 31°56′4.85″N 91°25′9.48″W / 31.9346806°N 91.4193000°W |
| History | |
| Founded | 700 CE |
| Abandoned | 1200 CE |
| Cultures | Coles Creek culture |
| Site notes | |
| Responsible body: private | |
Sundown Mounds is an ancient place in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. It's an "archaeological site," which means it's a spot where scientists study old human history. They do this by digging up artifacts and structures. This special site has several large earth mounds built by people from the Coles Creek culture. They lived here between 700 CE and 1200 CE.
Sundown Mounds is very important for understanding the Sundown Phase of the Coles Creek culture. This phase lasted from about 600 CE to 800 CE. It helps experts learn about how people lived in the Tensas Basin and Natchez Bluff areas long ago.
What Are the Sundown Mounds?
The Sundown Mounds site is found on the western bank of a waterway called Little Choctaw Bayou. It has three large mounds, which are like big hills made by people. These mounds are arranged in a triangle shape around a flat, open area called a plaza. This kind of layout was common for the Coles Creek culture.
Exploring the Mounds
- Mound A: This is the biggest mound. It stands about 11 feet (3.4 m) tall. Its base measures 190 feet (58 m) by 180 feet (55 m). The top of the mound is a flat area measuring 60 feet (18 m) by 60 feet (18 m).
- Mound B: This mound is the second largest. It's located about 400 feet (120 m) northwest of Mound A. Mound B is 8 feet (2.4 m) tall. Its base is 130 feet (40 m) by 100 feet (30 m), and its top measures 65 feet (20 m) by 33 feet (10 m).
- Mound C: This mound is 7 feet (2.1 m) tall. Its base measures 100 feet (30 m) by 80 feet (24 m). The top of Mound C is shaped like a dome.
Both Mound A and Mound B had ramps. These ramps went from the top of the mounds down to the central plaza.
When Were They Built?
The main parts of the mounds were built between 750 CE and 800 CE. However, people lived at the Sundown Mounds site for a much longer time. They were there for most of the Coles Creek period, from 700 CE all the way to 1200 CE.
