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The Winterville site group of
mounds has been designated a National Historic Landmark
Courtesy of the Lower Mississippi Delta Region, National
Park Service |
The Winterville site complex consists of flat-topped, rectangular
ceremonial mounds of various sizes. The mounds are arranged around
a 43-acre plaza, at the center of which is the 55-foot-high Mound
A, the largest at the site. There are no extensive village remains,
indicating that the site was occupied mainly during ceremonies.
It is likely that only members of the social elite, such as chiefs,
priests, and their retainers, were permanent residents of the
site. Of the 23 mounds originally present, four were destroyed
and several others reduced to remnants by agriculture and excessive
grazing prior to the site's acquisition as a state park. Nevertheless,
this mound group remains one of the largest and best-preserved
in the southeastern United States. In recognition of its outstanding
significance, the Winterville site has been designated a National
Historic Landmark.
Most of the mounds at the Winterville site were constructed during
the Mississippian period, between 1200 and 1250 A.D. This intensive
time of mound building reflects contact between local Indians
of the Coles Creek culture and influences emanating from the great
Cahokia site in Illinois, the largest mound center in the United
States. Archeological excavations were conducted at Winterville
in 1967-1968. The finds included structural remains, burials,
and many ceramic and stone artifacts. From this evidence, the
history of the site was reconstructed. The Winterville museum
exhibits a large collection of archeological artifacts, including
decorated pottery vessels, stone tools, and ornaments from Winterville
and other regional sites.
Winterville Site is located on State Hwy 1, about six miles
north of Greenville, Mississippi. The museum is open Monday-Saturday
9:00am to 5:00pm; Sunday 1:30pm to 5:00pm. The mounds are open
every day, dawn to dusk. Call 662-334-4684 or email
the mounds directly for further information.
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