Cartersville in Bartow County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mound A - Symbol of a Chiefdom

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Mound A - Symbol of a Chiefdom Marker

Inscription. Etowah was a Native American chiefdom. Chiefdoms consisted of a highly structured social order and permanent political officers. Kinship rules guided social ranking, and political officers received the right to rule by virtue of birth. As both a political and religious leader, a chief ruled until his death. From his temple and home atop Mound A, the chief could rule his people and perform religious ceremonies.

Georgia's chiefdom societies emerged around A.D. 1000. Early Spanish explorers, including DeSoto, who visited Etowah around A.D. 1540, described a complex system of paramount chiefdoms where individual chiefs and their supporters formed alliances and fought wars to establish their regional political dominance.

Mound A, a temple mound, stands about 65 feet high. A broad ramp projects from its eastern side and a smaller terrace is attached to the south. Construction most likely began in the early years of Etowah's occupation, about A. D. 1000. Around A.D. 1300, Etowah rose to prominence, reaching its peak about A.D. 1325.

Considerable mound construction occurred during these years. Also, a staircase

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of packed clay and logs was added to Mound A. The staircase measured approximately 22 feet wide. The photograph shows the Mound A's staircase as uncovered during archaeological excavations. Mound A has not been completely excavated.

Erected by Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1000 CE.

Location. 34° 7.517′ N, 84° 48.415′ W. Marker is in Cartersville, Georgia, in Bartow County. It can be reached from Indian Mound Road SE 0.2 miles south of Glen Cove Drive, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the grounds of Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 813 Indian Mound Road SE, Cartersville GA 30120, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Mound A - Symbol of a Chiefdom Marker

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

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 B and Structure 3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Etowah’s Past, Present, and Future (within shouting distance of this marker); A Chiefly Village on the Etowah (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mound C - Ceremonial Mortuary (about 500 feet away); Etowah’s River Cane (about 600 feet away); A Return to Native Grasses (about 800 feet away); The Defensive Ditch/Borrow Pit (approx. 0.2 miles away); Etowah’s Wattle and Daub House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cartersville.

Also see . . . Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site. (Submitted on July 3, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 230 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.