ARCH 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Mound Builders, Posthole, Nicotiana Rustica

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Archaeology
• Course: ARCH 100
• Professor: David Maxwell

Document Summary

Large, early mound site in northern louisiana. Dates to at least 3,500 years ago, and occupied for centuries. Consists of 6 curved earthen ridges and several mounds of varying sizes and shapes. Mounds range from 6. 5-69 feet in height. Outer ridge is nearly 3,900 feet long. The purpose of the ridges is unknown. Within and among the ridges are hearths, postmolds, and a variety of other features, suggesting different kinds of activities. Recent mapping indicates the site is less symmetrical than originally thought. The builders of poverty point were hunter-gatherers, rather than agriculturalists. Unusual, as most monumental architecture constructed by agricultural societies. Distinctive artifact: clay cooking balls, which are very common. Thought to have been heated and dropped into water to boil and cook. It"s de(cid:373)ise, (cid:271)et(cid:449)ee(cid:374) (cid:1005)(cid:1004)(cid:1004)(cid:1004) a(cid:374)d 6(cid:1004)(cid:1004) (cid:271)efore prese(cid:374)t, (cid:272)orrespo(cid:374)ds (cid:449)ith a (cid:272)ha(cid:374)ge i(cid:374) average temperature and precipitation in the area. Increased flooding led to the abandonment of the area, and the end of poverty point.