I'm leading a hike for the Meetup today near Cartersville and decided to drive up a little early and revisit the Etowah Mounds site, which I visited very shortly after moving to Georgia. I really enjoy studying and experience Native American culture and as this site is only a few miles from today's hiking location, it seemed a great stop.
This earthen mound complex consists of at least six constructed mounds, which are believed to have been built by the Mississippian Culture here near the Etowah River starting around 1000 CE. This is in line with the much larger site of Cahokia, near where I grew up. The Etowah site includes three large mounds and three smaller mounds, along with a central plaza, a defensive ditch, a fishing weir, and other related structures.
As I walk around the site among the larger mounds, I can't help but think of life here a thousand years ago. What were these people like. What were their dreams and aspirations. Perhaps most importantly, what happened to them? It is believed they abandoned the site when the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and others began encroaching on the area.
I take a few minutes to walk to the top of the largest of the mounds up the provided (modern) staircase. From the top, there is a wonderful view of the complex and the nearby river. It is thought this was where the chief lived, which is probably a reasonable assumption. How much I would like to time-travel and see this community at it's peak all those centuries ago. For now, I'm left with only what my imagination can invent.
No comments:
Post a Comment