Ancient site · Earthwork
Poverty Point
Also known as Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point
A vast set of earthworks on Macon Ridge in northeastern Louisiana: six concentric C-shaped ridges about 1.2 km across, facing a bayou, plus several large mounds, the first being Mound B soon after 1700 BCE. It was built by hunter-fisher-gatherers, not farmers, who imported soapstone vessels from the Appalachian foothills.
It may have been a place where groups met to trade and hold ceremonies. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2014.
- Dates
- c. 1700–1100 BCE
- Still standing
- Yes
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Yes
- Location
- 32.64° N, 91.41° W
How we know
No writing existed; the earthworks are dated by radiocarbon on charcoal from mound layers.
Nearby sites
- Watson Brake c. 3500–3000 BCE
- Great Serpent Mound built c. 300 BCE (Adena) or c. 1000 CE (Fort Ancient) — disputed
- Blackwater Draw (Clovis type site) Clovis level c. 11,100–10,800 BCE
- Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks (Newark) c. 1–400 CE
- Grave Creek Mound c. 250–150 BCE
- Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE – 550 CE (centre burned); declined to c. 650 CE
Related
- Poverty Point culture archaeological culture
- The world in 2000 BCE: Cities of Bronze chapter