The Evolution of the Pocahontas Site

The Evolution of the Pocahontas Site. . The time during which American Indians lived at the Pocahontas site can be split into two periods: the period before Mound A was built and the period after. Before Mound A was built there appears to have been a relatively large group of people living at the site who formed a village community. This community was likely made up of families who shared common ancestral ties which bound them together as a community. , , However, it is important to remember that this village represented only a single community that was part of a much larger cultural group whose members, formed communities throughout the region. There were undoubtedly important relationships among these widespread communities that resulted not only in the exchange of trade goods, but of people who moved from one community to another as a result of marriage bonds. , Even though the Pocahontas site was just one of hundreds of sites in this region, it is likely that the site held a special status in the minds of individuals who lived in this region. This special status seems to be evident in the fact that the Pocahontas site was chosen as the location for constructing the large platform mound that you see in front of you. Platform mounds played important roles as centers for communal activities within American Indian societies. , Once Mound A had been built it undoubtedly served as a place where important cultural ceremonies could be conducted that acted to strengthen the social ties within and among communities. In fact, it appears that the Pocahontas site was eventually transformed into an exclusively ceremonial center, meaning the site was occupied by only a small group of people and became a place where groups throughout the region could meet to conduct ceremonial activities.