Historic Site
(770) 387-3747
Winner of Cartersville's
2007 People's Choice Awards
Home to several thousand Native Americans between 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D., this 54-acre site contains six earthen mounds, a plaza, village area, borrow pits and defensive ditch. This is the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeastern United States.
While only nine percent of this site has been excavated, examination at Mound C and surrounding artifacts revealed much about the people who lived here more than 500 years ago. The Etowah Indian Mounds symbolize a society rich in ritual. Towering over the community, the 63-foot flat-topped earthen knoll was likely used as a platform for the home of the priest-chief. In another mound, nobility were buried in elaborate costumes accompanied by items they would need in their after-lives. Today, visitors may tour the museum where exhibits interpret daily life in the once self-sufficient community.
Many artifacts show how the natives of this political and religious center decorated themselves with shell beads, tattoos, paint, complicated hairdos, feathers and copper ear ornaments. Well-preserved stone effigies and objects made of wood, sea shells and stone are also displayed.
The Etowah Dugout Blog
Archaeology at Etowah 2005-2007
"Destination Etowah" - (Spring 2008 newsletter)
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 2-5:30PM; Closed Monday (except holidays), Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For a more enjoyable visit, plan to spend 1-2 hours.
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Note: Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site has no reservable facilities.
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Events
Flintknapping
Saturday, Aug 30, 2008 10 AM - 4 PM
| Flintknapping is the making of projectile points from different types of stone. See demonstrations of this ancient art. $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747. |
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Lecture: Georgia's Indian Heritage
Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 2:30 PM - 4 PM
| Learn about pre-historic, Creek and Cherokee Indians of north Georgia. $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747. |
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Torch Light Tour of the Ancient City
Saturday, Oct 4, 2008 10 AM - 4 PM
| Step back into ancient times as you walk along a torch-lit path and illuminated mounds. The 3/4-mile tour includes walking 134 steps to the top of 67-feet-high Mound A, the temple mound of the Etowah chief. $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747. |
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Admission: $2.50-$4.
Group rates available with advance notice.
Bus parking available.
Facilities:
6 Earthen Mounds
Museum
Gift Shop
20 Picnic Tables
Riverside Benches
Bus Parking
Nearby Attractions
Red Top Mountain State Park ~~ lodge, camping and cottages
Lake Allatoona
Booth Western Art Museum
Weinman Mineral Museum
New Echota State Historic Site (Cherokee Indian capital)
Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site
Days Inn
Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt College
Chief Vann House State Historic Site
Fort Mountain State Park - camping and cottages
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