Near Pioneer in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Mound B
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Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017
1. Mound B Marker
Mound B is the oldest mound at Poverty Point. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from the mound indicates that its construction began about 1600 B.C.
Mound B today is about 20 feet in height and it is 180 feet in diameter at its base Originally, the mound had a perfect conical form, but archaeological excavations in 1955 inadvertently altered its shape.
The topsoil was removed before mound construction began. After that, the mound was built in seven construction stages, including three major flat-topped platforms made of silt loam. The floors of the platforms had firepits, charcoal, and possible postholes, indicating that some activities occurred there. A conical silt-loam mantle was placed over the entire mound for the last construction stage, providing the final shape of the mound.
Woven baskets and skin containers used to haul dirt left impressions in the fill of the mound. These have allowed archaeologists to better understand the ancient earth-moving techniques.
Although conical mounds in the southeastern U.S are often burial mounds, Mound B is not one. Understanding how it was used will require
this page online
Erected by the State of Louisiana.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1600.
Location. 32° 38.446′ N, 91° 24.652′ W. Marker is near Pioneer, Louisiana, in West Carroll Parish. It can be reached from Louisiana Route 577 1.7 miles north of Route 134. Located along the tram & driving tour road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pioneer LA 71266, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Louisiana. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Mississippi Delta. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mound A (approx. 0.4
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017
2. View of marker with Mound B in the background.
Also see . . . Wikipedia article on Poverty Point. (Submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by State of Louisina
3. Mound B can be seen at top of Poverty Point map.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
