Etowah Mounds, Georgia
Between 1250 and 1325 CE, the Mississippian people transformed a bend in the Etowah River into the Southeast’s most powerful chiefdom.
They hauled millions of baskets of earth to build Mound A, a six-story ceremonial platform where their paramount chief lived and ruled over thousands.
When archaeologists opened elite burials, they found copper headdresses, shell gorgets, and two stunning marble statues of kneeling warriors that revealed a society sharply divided between nobles and commoners.
Here’s the story of this ancient political powerhouse, preserved at Etowah Mounds Historic Site where you can climb the same mounds today.
Three Major Settlement Periods
Etowah was occupied during three distinct periods. The Early phase ran from 1000 to 1200 CE, the Middle from 1250 to 1375 CE, and the Late from 1375 to 1550 CE.
During the Middle phase, Etowah reached its height. Workers expanded the mounds to their full size, and the town held its largest population.
New Religion Transforms Etowah
Around 1250 CE, new people moved into Etowah and started building again. They brought different religious practices and ways of organizing their society.
These newcomers used special symbols known as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex. The symbols appeared on copper, shell, and pottery items used in rituals.
This religion connects to an old Muscogee story about a supernatural being who brought religious teachings and gave the people copper plates with spiritual power.
Mound A as Power Center
Mound A stood as Etowah’s political heart. It rose 63 feet high and covered three acres at its base. Workers started building this mound early in the site’s history.
People carried thousands of baskets of soil from nearby pits to create the mound. Each basket held up to 30 pounds of dirt.
The priest-chief lived on top of Mound A, looking down on everyone else. This height showed their importance. The mound served both as a home for rulers and as a sacred place.
Elite Compound Construction
Around 1325 CE, builders put up several large buildings on top of Mound A. The main structure measured 18 meters on each side, covering 3,000 square feet. The ruling family lived in this main building.
The top of the mound had open spaces between buildings, creating a planned layout. Some buildings on Mound A were hidden from public view to keep certain religious and political activities private.
Social Classes at Etowah
Etowah society had clear social divisions. The priest-chief and noble families lived on the mounds, while regular people lived in houses spread throughout the town.
The upper class had better homes with quality materials. They also received special burial treatment and owned luxury items that others couldn’t have.
Copper Ornaments of the Elite
Copper plates served as powerful symbols of authority. Etowah’s leaders wore these decorations during ceremonies.
Many showed the “Birdman” figure, a supernatural being with wings. Workers made these plates by hammering designs into the metal. Some came from Cahokia in Illinois through trade, while others were made locally.
The Birdman plates showed a dancing figure with wings, holding special items like ceremonial weapons. Only high-ranking people could wear these copper pieces.
Burial Rituals in Mound C
Mound C served as the burial place for Etowah’s nobles between 1250 and 1375 CE. While common people were buried near their homes, the elite got special treatment in this sacred mound.
Many nobles were placed in stone box graves – chambers lined with rock slabs. Their graves contained wealth like copper plates, shell ornaments, and pearl beads.
Burials in Mound C followed a pattern. The most important people lay at the center, with others arranged around them, showing their rank even in death.
The Famous Marble Statues
The most remarkable finds from Etowah are two marble statues of a seated man and kneeling woman. Each stands about two feet tall.
Carvers made them from local marble and painted them with red, black, and white colors. These statues likely represented ancestors who received offerings during ceremonies.
Spanish explorers later wrote about similar statues in temples of southeastern tribes. The statues were found buried in Mound C, apparently hidden when the site faced attack. They showed damage, suggesting they were ritually “killed” before burial.
Maintaining Stronghold
Etowah’s leaders maintained power through both force and religion. The town had strong defenses – a nine-foot-deep moat and twelve-foot-high wooden wall with guard towers.
The elite controlled trade routes stretching from Florida to the Great Lakes. Items like Michigan copper, Florida shells, and North Carolina mica all passed through Etowah.
This combination of religious authority, military strength, and economic control let Etowah’s rulers dominate the region for over a century, from 1250 to 1375 CE.
Visiting Etowah Mounds
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site welcomes visitors at 813 Indian Mounds Road in Cartersville, Georgia.
The park opens seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with mound areas closing at 4:30 p.m. The museum displays original artifacts including the marble statues and copper plates.
The site includes six mounds, a plaza, village area, and defensive ditch. A half-mile nature trail leads to ancient fish traps along the Etowah River.
Read More from WhenInYourState.com:
The post Ancient Mississippians built an empire in Georgia. Here’s how their elite ruled and lived. appeared first on When In Your State.