Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Chucalissa

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NRHP Reference #
  
73001830

Area
  
65 ha

Added to NRHP
  
7 May 1973

Designated NHL
  
April 19, 1994

Phone
  
+1 901-785-3160

Chucalissa

Location
  
1987 Indian Village Drive, Memphis, Tennessee

Address
  
1987 Indian Village Dr, Memphis, TN 38109, USA

Hours
  
Closed today MondayClosedTuesday9AM–5PMWednesday9AM–5PMThursday9AM–5PMFriday9AM–5PMSaturday9AM–5PMSunday1–5PM

Similar
  
Lichterman Nature Center, T O Fuller State Park, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Children's Museum of Memphis, Pink Palace Museum

Profiles

Art for voice presentation at the c h nash museum at chucalissa


The C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa cares for the Mississippian culture archaeological site known as Chucalissa (40 SY 1) which means "abandoned house" in Choctaw. The site is located in T. O. Fuller State Park within the city of Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Chucalissa is a U.S. National Historic Landmark.

Contents

A visit at the chucalissa indian village


Description

Chucalissa is a Walls Phase mound and plaza complex that was occupied, abandoned and reoccupied several times throughout its history, spanning from 1000 to 1550 CE. It is located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Other contemporaneous groups in the area include the Parkin Phase, Menard Phase, and the Nodena Phase. It is known for the well preserved architectural, floral, faunal, and human osteological remains excavated there. During the early 1540s the Hernando de Soto Expedition passed through the area, stopping at many villages along the way. It is thought that the Walls phase may be the Province of Quizquiz encountered by de Soto on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is unlikely that Chucalissa itself was visited by the expedition, as it is thought to have been abandoned at the time.

C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa

Civilian Conservation Corps workers discovered Native American artifacts on the site in 1938 and archaeological excavations of this Mississippian mound complex were initiated. The C.H Nash Museum at Chucalissa and the rest of the village grounds have been operated by the University of Memphis since 1962.

In 1973 Chucalissa Indian Village was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in 1994, it was declared a National Historic Landmark. The archaeological site and grounds are managed by the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa staff and students. The museum, named after its founding director, curates an extensive collection of artifacts recovered during a 40-year period of systematic excavations. The site features a Mississippian mound complex, nature trail and arboretum, hands-on archaeology lab, and exhibits that explore the history and life-ways of Native Americans of the historic and prehistoric southeastern United States.

References

Chucalissa Wikipedia