Etowah’s Past, Present, and Future

Etowah’s Past, Present, and Future. . Based on archaeological findings, early written descriptions, and their imagination, many artists have sketched their view of Etowah. This view from the top of Mound A illustrates a tribal chief greeting his villagers, gathered on the plaza below at sunrise. Etowah's Mound A commanded a tremendous view of the surrounding area and the nearby Allatoona Mountains., Beginning in 2005, archaeologists using ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, and a magnetometer explored the top of this mound and the grassy areas below in search of the houses occupied by, Etowah’s residents. These scientific methods rely on the different properties of cray daub and other building materials to illuminate the buried foot prints of now gone houses, hearths, and other features. These methods allowed archaeologist Adam King to discover small groups of houses to the north and west of Mound A that clustered around little plazas. Working with the Muscogee (Creek) people, archaeologists hope to completely map the village in the next few years., Archaeologists discovered the presence of at least four structures that once topped this mound. Structure 1 was 18 meters (59 feet) square with an open interior and a portico on the east side. Structure 2 consisted of two rebuilt residences with partitioned interiors. A small 3 by 6 meter residence was labeled Structure 3. Structure 4, shown in the magnetometer image below, appears to be an earlier structure built on Mound A. It's lighter appearance indicates it is buried more deeply than the others., Archaeologists working with tribal leaders continue to bridge the gap between a natural curiosity to learn about the past and cultural sensitivities of the Indians that prohibit excavations where graves might be present. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation purchased and often operates the ground penetrating radar system used at Etowah. As the work continues and new scientific methods are applied, archaeologists and the culturally related tribes hope to reveal a more complete picture of Etowah's past., Etowah's chief had the power to make war or peace. He distributed stored food to his people from the public granary in times of need or famine, and could solicit tribute from outlying villages he also controlled. The Etowah River valley was once filled with small farmsteads. The chief lived with his family on the mound in a large house made from wattle (interwoven twigs or branches) and daub (clay based plaster).