It may be a tiny village, but it holds one of the most significant historical finds in the country. Designated a World Heritage Site in 2014, Poverty Point continues to baffle archaeologists and historians, but new clues are constantly being unearthed to shed light on these early inhabitants.
Pioneer is a small little village in West Carrol Parish, Louisiana.
The population is less than 200 people, according to the 2000 census.
What Pioneer lacks in residents, it makes up for in historical significance.
Pioneer is home to one of Louisiana’s most fascinating historical attractions, Poverty Point.
Poverty Point is a collection of earthworks that date back thousands of years.
Constructed between 1650 and 700 B.C., the 910-acre site was built by hand by Native Americans.
Since the original inhabitants left no written word of their day to day lives, archeologists and historians haven’t definitively determined why these massive, 72-foot tall mounds and half-circles were built.
They have proposed that it was a settlement, trading center, and/or a ceremonial religious complex. It’s proximity to Bayou Macon means that it was likely a trading center and easily could have also been a settlement.
What we know about Poverty Point has been learned from the materials and artifacts left behind.
Dozens of spearpoints, pottery, figurines, different types of stones, rocks, and minerals have been collected at the site. The stone, in particular, is intriguing because it’s soapstone from Georgia and Alabama, suggesting that these materials came by way of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
For unknown reasons, Poverty Point as abandoned in 1100 B.C.
Another group briefly settled here around 700 A.D. and built a smaller mound, but they only occupied a small fraction of the site and didn’t stay very long. The site remained relatively abandoned for 2,900 years until Euroamericans settled in the area in the 1800s.
When you visit, you’ll be able to walk around and see the mounds for yourself, as well as all of the artifacts that have been uncovered.
There’s a 2.6-mile hiking trail, an interpretive museum, and even a sand-sifting activity for the youngsters.
You can find Poverty Point at 6859 Highway 577, Pioneer, LA 71266. The site is open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm.
Have you ever visited this mysterious historical site? Let us know in the comments below!
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