Hidden in the rural stretches of northeastern Louisiana is one of the United States’ oldest archaeological sites. Poverty Point, a prehistoric earthwork built over 3,000 years ago, continues to puzzle scientists.
Its massive scale, created by a society of hunter-gatherers rather than farmers, defies traditional ideas about ancient monument builders, according to knewz.
Discovered in the 1830s, Poverty Point is located in West Carroll Parish. It dates back to around 1700 B.C. and remained in use until 1100 B.C.
The site consists of six enormous C-shaped ridges and several mounds that extend to the edge of the Macon Ridge. Together, they form a unique layout not seen anywhere else in the world.
Despite its importance, only 1% of the site has been excavated.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The builders, known as the Poverty Point culture, lived in the lower Mississippi Valley. They were hunter-fisher-gatherers, not farmers, which makes the site's complexity extraordinary.
Archaeologists estimate it took more than 30 million baskets of earth, each weighing about 50 pounds, to create the mounds and ridges. This effort required an incredible level of organization and determination.
Artifacts found at Poverty Point include cooking tools, beads shaped like animals, and more than 8,000 projectile points.
Researchers also discovered over 100 clay figurines, many missing their heads. Cooking balls, known as Poverty Point Objects, were used in earth ovens, suggesting that the site was an important place for food preparation.
The exact purpose of Poverty Point remains unknown. Some believe it was a settlement. Others suggest it was used for trading, ceremonies, or even astronomy.
The ridges and mounds might have had spiritual significance, aligning with celestial events.
In 2014, Poverty Point became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, earning recognition as Louisiana’s only World Heritage location and one of just 22 in the U.S. Today, it is open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity of a prehistoric culture.
