Miss Smith's Class Blog: Moundville

Last week, we visited the archaeological site of Moundville. There is only one other place like this in the world, and it is in southern Alabama. Moundville has been around for hundreds of years. The society that these men and women created is very impressive. At one time there were probably around 3,000 people living within the walls of Moundville. They had a very organized society with different classes of people. The wealthy people had nicer homes, perhaps lived on mounds, were buried in the mounds and lived closer in. The poorer amongst these people lived near the village walls and were buried under the floor of their own homes.

The people at Moundville knew how to cultivate plants, make weapons,and make boats to take advantage of the fishing on the Black Warrior River. They held ceremonies led by priests who lived atop the tallest mounds. They made pottery and jewelry and traded these items with other Native tribes.

What happened to the Moundville Native Americans? Well, no one is quite sure, but it is probably a combination of things. The explorers that came to this area may have unknowingly spread diseases that wiped out a large percentage of the population. The Natives may have battled with surrounding tribes so fiercly that it eventually split the tribe up and they joined other, smaller tribes. No one knows for sure.

The tallest mound in the park.

It's so tall, we were worried about falling off of it!

Despite having presenters that showed off clothing and weapons of the Moundville Natives, most of the children said their favorite part was going down to the Black Warrior River. It was after all, a source of life for many!