Founded 950 CE Region Tensas Parish, Louisiana | Abandoned 1541 CE | |
 | ||
Location Saint Joseph, Louisiana, Tensas Parish, Louisiana, USA Cultures Plaquemine culture, Mississippian culture | ||
Flowery Mound is an archaeological site in Tensas Parish, Louisiana with components from the Late Coles Creek and Plaquemine-Mississippian culture which dates from approximately 950–1541.
Description
The site is located on Andrews Bayou. The mound itself is a very well preserved platform mound measuring 10 feet (3.0 m) in height and 165 feet (50 m) by 130 feet (40 m) at its base and a summit measuring 50 feet (15 m) square. Core samples taken during investigations at the site have revealed the mound was built in a single stage and because the fill types can still be differentiated it suggests the mound is relatively young. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal found in a midden under the mound reveals that the site was occupied from 996–1162 during the Coles Creek period. The mound was built over the midden between 1200–1541 during the Plaquemine/Mississippian period. This was further confirmed by stylistic analysis of pottery found at the site.