Pinson in Madison County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Barrow Pit

Photographed by James Hulse, October 1, 2023

1. The Barrow Pit Marker

Inscription. In the middle of this field can be seen a large depression. The dirt from here was probably used to build Sauls Mound. We know the Native Americans carefully layered some of the mounds with different colors of soil, sand and clay. These colors and different materials had religious and ceremonial meaning to the Native Americans, although we will never know exactly what the layers meant. The Native Americans did not have metal shovels or picks to dig the dirt. Instead, they probably used deer scapulae (the shoulder blade) to scrape the dirt into woven baskets. They carried the baskets to the mound, dumping the contents one after another. The dirt required to build Sauls Mound would fill a line of average sized dump trucks stretching over 26 miles.

Erected by Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 35° 29.619′ N, 88° 40.904′ W. Marker is in Pinson, Tennessee, in Madison County. It is on Pinson

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Mounds Road 0.8 miles south of Ozier Road (Tennessee Route 197). The marker is located south of the Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park Museum along the hiking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pinson TN 38366, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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: The Barrow Pit and Mound 12 (here, next to this marker); Mound 10 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sauls Mound (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Sauls Mound (about 600 feet away); Mound 12 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mound 14 Sector (approx. 0.2 miles away); Latter Mississippian Presence (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Pinson, Bray and Johnston Sites

The Barrow Pit Marker is the left marker of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 1, 2023

2. The Barrow Pit Marker is the left marker of the two markers

(approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pinson.

Also see . . . Pinson Mounds. Wikipedia (Submitted on October 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The markers and the Barrow Pit on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, October 1, 2023

3. The markers and the Barrow Pit on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.