Kolomoki Mounds

Kolomoki Mounds
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Temple Mound
Nearest city:	Blakely, Georgia
Coordinates:	31°28′17.28″N 84°55′45.72″W
Architect:	Unknown
Governing body:	State
NRHP Reference#:	66000280
Significant dates
Added to NRHP:	October 15, 1966
Designated NHL:	July 19, 1964

The Kolomoki Mounds are the largest and oldest Woodland period mound complex in the Southeastern United States and currently stand in present day Early County, Georgia, near the Chattahoochee River. The mounds were named a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Seven of the eight mounds are protected as part of Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park.

Site characteristics

Inside of museum that was built around the burial mound archeological excavation

Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park is an important archaeological site as well as a scenic recreational area. Kolomoki, covering some three hundred acres, is one of the larger preserved mound sites in the USA. Hundreds of years ago, Kolomoki, with its surrounding villages, burial mounds, and ceremonial plaza, was a center of population and activity in North America. The eight visible mounds of earth in the park were built between 250-950 CE by peoples of the Swift Creek and Weeden Island cultures. These mounds include Georgia's oldest great temple mound, two burial mounds and four smaller ceremonial mounds. The park's museum is built with part of an excavated mound inside, providing an unusual setting for viewing artifacts and a film about how the mound was built and excavated. Astronomical alignments have been noted for several mounds at the Kolomoki site. Mounds A, D, and E which form the central axis of the site form an alignment with the sun at the spring equinox. Mounds F and D form an alignment with the sun at the summer solstice.

Archaeological features

Temple Mound

The Temple Mound is 56 feet (17 m) high and measures 325 by 200 feet (61 m) at the base. Research indicates that it would have taken over two million basket loads, each holding one cubic foot of earth, to build this mound. The southern half of the mound is three feet higher and was probably the temple platform. From the top of the steps you can view most of the Kolomoki Archaeological Area. Approximately 1,500 - 2,000 residents lived in a village of thatched houses arched around the plaza.

Mound D

Mound D is one of the eight visible mounds at the Kolomoki site. It is a conical mound that reaches up 20 feet (6.1 m) from the ground. It is centrally located at Kolomoki. Here were discovered the remnants of 77 burials and ceremonial pottery. The effigy pottery discovered was shaped in various shapes, such as deer, quail and owls.

Mound D was formed in several stages, each time increasing in size. It began as a square-platform mound that was about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. This original platform mound was built from yellow clay. Sixty pottery vessels were placed on the east wall including the above effigy pottery. The mound evolved into a larger circular mound about 10 feet (3.0 m) tall after many subsequent burials here and the addition of even more yellow clay. These burials took place on the eastern side of the mound, and skulls face eastward. Burial objects made from iron and copper and even pearl beads were included in the aforementioned burials. Finally, the entire mound was covered with red clay.

Museum robbery

Artifact on display at Kolomoki museum

A smaller mound as seen from the top of the large mound

One night in March 1974, someone slipped into the old museum at the park and stole more than 129 ancient pots and effigies, numerous arrowheads and other treasures. Every artifact on display was stolen. Several years later, many of the pieces were recovered from Miami and St. Augustine, Florida. However, more than 70 relics are still missing, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public help in recovering these artifacts. Archeologists believe the pots are somewhere in Georgia or Florida.

"These pieces are an important part of North American history and should be properly protected for future generations to study", said Park Manager Matt Bruner. "They have significant meaning to the Native American people because many were used during burial ceremonies, plus they represent some of the finest craftsmanship of the Kolomoki culture". He emphasized that the state is more interested in recovering the pots than prosecuting the people who have them.

See also

• List of burial mounds in the United States

External links

• Kolomoki website
• Kolomoki PDF
• website about missing artifacts
• Explore Southern History: Kolomoki Mounds Historic Park
• Kolomoki, New Georgia Encyclopedia