As old as Stonehenge, built when Queen Nefertiti ruled Egypt, Poverty Point in north Louisiana is truly one of the great wonders of the world.

Poverty Point Louisiana
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Poverty Point Louisiana

Poverty Point, in West Carroll Parish in northeastern Louisiana, is estimated to be over 3,400 years old. However, there are parts of Poverty Point that date back to 3900 BCE, making Poverty Point as old as some of the pyramids in Egypt.

At the time American Indians were building the awe-inspiring mounds at Poverty Point in north Louisiana, across the pond people were constructing Stonehenge and pyramids were still being built in Egypt.

Respectively, Egyptians built the Giza Pyramids years between 2589 and 2504.

The majority of the earthworks at Poverty Point date back to around 1600 and 1000 BCE according to archeologists however, some believe the mounds at Poverty Point are possibly even older.

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The "Lower Jackson Mound" at Poverty Point was initially believed to be the same age as the other mounds found there, however recent carbon dating has shown the "Lower Jackson Mound" to have been built around "3900 to 3600 BC which predates the Poverty Point earthworks by about 1500 years."

The Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point was officially named a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) in 2014.

Louisiana's Poverty Point is also a dedicated U.S. National Monument and also U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Translation? Poverty Point is one of the oldest, most important ancient sites in the entire world.

 

Piled Higher and Deeper Via YouTube
Piled Higher and Deeper Via YouTube
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How Big Is Poverty Point?

Poverty Point consists of six mounds, labeled A through F, as well as "six concentric C-shaped ridges".

Wikipedia reports that the "earthworks core" of Poverty Point measures about 345 acres, although some researchers say "the total occupation area extended for more than three miles".

The largest mound at Poverty Point, "Mound A" measures an incredible 72-feet tall!

Poverty Point has been described as "the largest and most complex Late Archaic earthwork occupation and ceremonial site yet found in North America".

 

wikipedia.com
wikipedia.com
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What Was Poverty Point Used For?

American Indian burial mounds were fairly common throughout the U.S., but archeologists report they haven't found any human remains at Poverty Point.

That means Poverty Point was obviously constructed for other reasons.

The why and what Poverty Point was built and used for still remains a debated topic amongst archaeologists.

How Old Is Poverty Point
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Some believe Poverty Point was built as a permanent settlement, while others believe it served as a settlement, but only for periodic events.

From Wikipedia.com -

Archaeologists such as Sherwood Gagliano and Edwin Jackson support the interpretation that Poverty Point was a site where groups came to meet and trade on an occasional basis.

 

Gibson believes there is evidence of too much rubbish left by original inhabitants for only occasional habitation, and that it would be implausible to build for such a massive earthwork for use only as a trading center.

 

Some contend Poverty Point has religious connections and symbolism. Archaeologist William Haag believes the ridges have astrological significance and are connected to the solstices.

Poverty Point is still actively being studied, so hopefully, someday we'll figure it all out.

 

Poverty Point Drone Footage
Mike Does History Via YouTube
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If you're ready to make a day trip and see it all for yourself, Poverty Point is located at 6859 La. Hwy. 577, Pioneer, La.

You can find more information at povertypoint.us.

Pretty amazing, right? I still haven't been to Poverty Point yet, but now I'm really itching to go.

 

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