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Description
Temple Mound by Kevin J. Norman
The eight visible mounds of earth in the park were built between 250-950 A.D. by Swift Creek and Weeden Island Indians. American Indians occupied the lands from 350 to 750 A.D. 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.
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 2 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.
The eight visible mounds of earth in the park were built between 250-950 A.D. by Swift Creek and Weeden Island Indians. American Indians occupied the lands from 350 to 750 A.D. 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.
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 2 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.
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