The Village

Borrow Pit

Two pits and the moat resulted from the removal of thousands of basket-fuls of earth that were, "borrowed" to build the mounds.

Defensive Ditch

The bridge crosses part of a 9-to 10-foot-deep ditch that once stretched from one riverbank to the other around a 54-acre site, providing an effective first line of defense.  A palisade of upright 12 -foot-high logs was embedded in the ground.  The palisade had towers or bastions projecting toward the moat that allowed villagers to propel their weapons at attackers from a safe vantage point.  The attackers had to climb in and out of the ditch under intese fire athat could not be returned effectively while trying to bread through the palisade.  the defenses made the village almost invulnerable to attack by spears, arrows and clubs, the principal weapons of the Southern Native Americans, 

Plaza Edge

Just before reaching Mound A, you will enter the ceremonial plaza, which is outlined.  Surrounded by a short rock wall, the plaza was made of packed red clay and was the ceremonial center of the mound complex. To the east you can find mounds E and F. Only D and E have been archaeologically tested, The mounds surrounding the plaza, which was clean swept and used much like a modern town square.  This public gathering place was used for a variety of activities such as stick ball and chunkey games, ceremonies and a bazaar for trade goods