Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Georgia — The most intact Mississippian culture site in the Southeast — 63-acre complex with 6 earthen mounds built between AD 1000-1550! Mound A rises 63 feet (the tallest in Georgia) and once supported the chief’s temple. Over 350 burials have been excavated, including famous marble statues.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Georgia |
About Etowah Mounds
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Bartow County preserves the most intact Mississippian culture site in the southeastern United States. From 1000-1550 AD, a chiefdom of several thousand people built massive earthen mounds — the largest stands 63 feet tall, covering 3 acres. Etowah was a major political and religious center with trade networks spanning from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast. The museum houses stunning marble statues and elaborate shell gorgets recovered from the site.
Things to Do
Climbing the 63-foot Great Mound, touring the museum with Mississippian artifacts (marble statues, copper plates, shell gorgets), walking the archaeological trail, fishing the Etowah River, and connecting with 1,000 years of pre-Columbian civilization.
Getting There
Located on Indian Mounds Road SW off Highway 61 in Cartersville. Open Thursday through Saturday. The museum’s marble figures — carved over 500 years before Columbus — are among the finest pre-Columbian art in North America. Just 45 minutes from Atlanta via I-75. Combine with Booth Western Art Museum (15 minutes) in Cartersville.
History & Ecology
The Etowah chiefdom thrived for 550 years before European contact — longer than the United States has existed. The society was hierarchical, with elite burial goods including copper headdresses, shell beads, and the famous marble statues depicting male and female figures. The river provided fish, mussels, and transportation, while surrounding floodplain fields grew corn, beans, and squash in the Three Sisters tradition.
Insider Tips
Mississippian civilization: Etowah was one of the most powerful chiefdoms in North America from 1000-1550 AD — the mounds rival Cahokia in archaeological importance. Pro tip: The marble statues found here are among the finest pre-Columbian art in the Southeast. Mound A: At 63 feet, Mound A is one of the largest earthen structures in the eastern US — built entirely by hand.
Best Time to Visit
Spring/fall: Comfortable temperatures. Summer: Full museum hours. Year-round: Museum and mounds. Winter: Mound structure most visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who built the mounds?
The Mississippian people built Etowah’s mounds between 1000-1550 AD — a sophisticated civilization with social hierarchy, long-distance trade networks, and monumental architecture. At its peak, Etowah controlled trade along the Etowah River valley. The site was occupied for 500+ years before European contact. The Mississippian culture collapsed before European exploration — disease, warfare, and political fragmentation ended these great chiefdoms. The Creek and Cherokee later inhabited the region.
