Macon in Bibb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mississippian Diet

— Ocmulgee National Monument —

Photographed by Benjamin Rubin, October 25, 2026

1. Mississippian Diet Marker

Inscription. The Mississippians were farmers growing fields of corn, beans, squash, sunflowers, pumpkins, and tobacco. Based on estimates that one acre was required to feed one person for one year, 2,000 acres were cultivated to supply this village. Corn was the staple crop of their diet and used for many dishes like bread and hominy. The women and children gathered nuts, berries, seeds, wild fruits, honey, and roots. Food was preserved by drying on racks in the sun and over fires, and then stored in special rooms in their homes. Corn was stored in cribs that were raised 7 to 8 feet high on polished posts, that prevented mice from climbing them.

The men hunted game such as deer, bear, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and beaver; and caught fish and turtles from the rivers and streams. All parts of the animal were used, including skins for clothing, and bones for tools, fish hooks, jewelry, and projectile points. The spirit of the animal was always honored for its sacrifice.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture •

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Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 32° 50.347′ N, 83° 36.628′ W. Marker is in Macon, Georgia, in Bibb County. It can be reached from Ocmulgee National Park Road south of Emery Highway (U.S. 23), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1207 Ocmulgee National Park Rd, Macon GA 31217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont.

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.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once 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: Respecting Our Ancestors (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Funeral Mound of the Mississippians (about 300 feet away); Lesser Temple Mound (approx.

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0.2 miles away); Muscogee (Creek) 1600-1826 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Trading with the British 1690-1715 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mississippian Period 900 - 1600 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Temple Mound and Town Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Paleo Indian Period 15000 B.C.E. - 8000 B.C.E. (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Macon.

Also see . . . Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. National Park Service (Submitted on November 11, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2026, by Benjamin Rubin of Columbia, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on November 11, 2026, by Benjamin Rubin of Columbia, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.