Architect Unknown Designated NHL July 19, 1964 Added to NRHP 15 October 1966 | NRHP Reference # 66000372 Phone +1 318-253-8954 | |
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Address 837 Martin Luther King Dr, Marksville, LA 71351, USA Hours Closed today MondayClosedTuesdayClosedWednesdayClosedThursdayClosedFriday10AM–4PMSaturdayClosedSundayClosed Similar Centenary College of Louisiana, Plaquemine Lock State Historic S, Winter Quarters State Hist, Forts Randolph and Buhl, Port Hudson State Hist | ||
Marksville Prehistoric Indian Site (16 AV 1), also known as the Marksville State Historic Site, is a Marksville culture archaeological site located 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana. The site features numerous earthworks built by the prehistoric indigenous peoples of southeastern North America.
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Description
Marksville is the type site for the Marksville culture (a local variation of the Hopewell tradition) and was the first scientifically excavated site for the culture. Centuries later the Avoyel and Natchez peoples lived in the vicinity of the site until 1700. Burial mounds at the site are surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped earthen embankment about 3,000 feet (910 m) long. The site is also one of the largest of the period in the southeastern United States, with large and distinctive ring features not found elsewhere. The site's importance has been known since the 1920s, when it was first formally investigated, and it is regularly the subject of further investigation. Radiometric dating of the sites features have yielded occupancy dates from 0-400 CE.
Landmark and access
The archaeological site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The site is now also a State Commemorative Area.
The 42-acre (170,000 m2) site is maintained by the state of Louisiana and features a museum with artifacts found at the site and exhibits about the prehistoric people that lived in the Marksville culture area. There are also trails to the mounds and picnic facilities.