—Poverty Point Earthworks —

Mound B is the oldest mound at Poverty Point. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal
from the mound indicates that its construction began about 1600 B.C.

Mound B today is about 20 feet in height and it is 180 feet in diameter at its base
Originally, the mound had a perfect conical form, but archaeological excavations in
1955 inadvertently altered its shape.

The topsoil was removed before mound construction began. After that, the mound
was built in seven construction stages, including three major flat-topped platforms
made of silt loam. The floors of the platforms had firepits, charcoal, and possible
postholes, indicating that some activities occurred there. A conical silt-loam mantle
was placed over the entire mound for the last construction stage, providing the final
shape of the mound.

Woven baskets and skin containers used to haul dirt left impressions in the fill of
the mound. These have allowed archaeologists to better understand the ancient
earth-moving techniques.

Although conical mounds in the southeastern U.S are often burial mounds, Mound B
is not one. Understanding how it was used will require future research.

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Show me all markers in:  Pioneer, LA  |  West Carroll Parish  |  71266  |  Louisiana  |  United States of America

Mound C
Poverty Point Earthworks
Southwest Ridges
Poverty Point Earthworks
After Poverty Point
Peopling of the Americas
Poverty Point Artifacts
Poverty Point World Heritage Site
Before Poverty Point
The Natural and Cultural Environment

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