Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark
Shiloh Mounds
Early to Middle Mississippian 1000–1350 CE·Mississippian (Shiloh phase)·🇺🇸 Tennessee, United States
About
About Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark
Early Mississippian walled town (1000–1350 CE) on Tennessee River bluff within Shiloh National Military Park. Eight earthen mounds (platform and conical burial) inside earthen embankment and palisade enclosing 14 ha, with plaza between two 5 m platform mounds (Mound A chief's house, Mound B temple). Occupied 350 years with evidence of burning at ~1350 CE. Protected within Civil War battlefield.
Why it mattersRare Mississippian town co-located within Civil War battlefield demonstrating continuity of contested terrain.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether burning evidence indicates warfare or ritual closure
- 02Palisade continuity across 350-year occupation
Theories
- 01Palisaded town as buffer polity on Mississippian frontier
- 02River bluff opportunistic fortification with natural defense
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1000–1350 CE
- Period
- Early to Middle Mississippian 1000–1350 CE
- Culture
- Mississippian (Shiloh phase)
- Builders
- Mississippian
- Purpose
- Palisaded ceremonial town, river chiefdom capital
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1000–1350 CE
Initial construction
c. 1602 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
35.1392° N · 88.3225° W · 150 m · 2 mapped features
Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark central feature
featureMain architectural feature
35.1392° N · 88.3225° WShiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
35.1402° N · 88.3215° W
Gallery