Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park

Alabama Indigenous Mound Trail

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 1, 2020

1. The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park Marker

Inscription. Between AD 1500 and 1600, the indigenous inhabitants of the area around the confluence of the Cahaba and Alabama Rivers built a flat-topped mound measuring about ½ acre in size. The mound was the central feature of a semicircular village tucked inside a large defensive wall and surrounded by a moat. This village was the northern political center of a coastal Mississippian culture that controlled much of the region. Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts here that show how the inhabitants of the village were culturally connected to indigenous groups both at Moundville to the north and to those affiliated with the Pensacola phase along the Gulf Coast to the south.

In 1819, Alabama's first governor, William Wyatt Bibb, incorporated these earthworks into the centerpiece of the town plan he designed for Alabama's first capital. While today, you can still see a portion of the moat, the large mound inside the moat is no longer present. Historical records indicate that the mound was removed and used as fill in the construction of a nearby railroad embankment in the 1850s.

This site is very

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important to numerous Southeastern indigenous tribes who assert an ancestral connection with those who built and occupied Alabama's ancient mounds. The earthwork landscapes and the objects and information recovered from them reveal a rich cultural tradition that still thrives today among these tribes. Our indigenous mound sites represent a heritage for all Alabamians to cherish, and it is important that we protect and preserve them for future generations.

Map caption:
The 1817 "Freeman Map" shows the location of the mound and surrounding moat, labelled as "Ancient Indian work."

Erected 2019 by Alabama Historical Commission, the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, the University of Alabama Museums.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1500.

Location. 32° 19.037′ N, 87° 5.794′ W. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It is at the

View of marker in front of flat-topped mound between the moat. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 1, 2020

2. View of marker in front of flat-topped mound between the moat.

intersection of Vine Street and Capitol Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Vine Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Vine Street, Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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: Cahaba First State Capital (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to Downtown Cahawba (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Depot and Commissary (within shouting distance of this marker); Alabama's First Statehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Captive Boys in Blue (within shouting distance of this marker); Cahawba - circa 1500 (within shouting distance of this

View from marker towards Cahaba First State Capital stone memorial. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 1, 2020

3. View from marker towards Cahaba First State Capital stone memorial.

The tents on left are archaeologists digs for artifacts in the old State Capital building area.

marker); Footprint of a Church (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named A Courthouse Reduced to Rubble (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

Other markers no longer nearby. Vine Street (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Welcome to Downtown Cahawba (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Commissary - R.R. Depot (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Alabama's First Statehouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Site of Alabama's Statehouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dallas County Courthouse (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Courthouse Reduced to Rubble (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park web page.

The 1817 Freeman Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cahawba Advisory Committee

4. The 1817 Freeman Map

(Submitted on June 1, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 822 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 1, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.