For several centuries the ancient Mississippian People lived on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River on the border of what is now Kentucky and Missouri. They built ceremonial mounds, community plazas and homes, hunted, fished and planted food, and traded with other local people. Then, they vanished from the area. This is the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site. Let’s take a look:
The Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site is located on the far western side of Kentucky, on the banks of the Mississippi River. The address is 94 Green Street, Wickliffe, Kentucky.
An ancient people once called this place home, and today it’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Kentucky Archeological Landmark and State Historic Site.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
The site consists of two central platform mounds, and several smaller mounds.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook The largest mound is the Ceremonial Mound, which was used for religious purposes. Other mounds include a residential mound and a burial mound, along with several smaller mounds that were used for dwellings.
From 1100 CE to 1350 CE the Mississippian people lived and thrived on the banks of the Mississippi.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook They cultivated corn and squash, and hunted and fished for food. The people had a hierarchical society, with a chief and other high-ranking men in charge of the village. A central plaza provided community space, with smaller dwellings surrounding it. The village grew to be fairly large, covering the entire bluff overlooking the river, but around 1350 CE, the people began migrating away from this area. Archaeologists still aren’t sure why the people abandoned this beautiful place.
Make sure to visit the Welcome Center, where you’ll find lots of displays and information to help you learn more about the people who once lived here.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook In addition to a large mural, shown above, the museum showcases many of the artifacts found here.
Several of the mounds were excavated starting in the 1910s, and continuing for several decades.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site Most of the excavation was completed in the 1930s, when amateur archaeologist began digging up artifacts and burial sites. This place was operated as a tourist site called “Ancient Buried City.” It was later donated to Murray State University. Excavation was halted to avoid further damaging the mounds. Students and archaeologists study the already-excavated portions of the mounds, but no longer dig. Today, some of the excavated mounds are covered with buildings to protect them. Visitors can see one of the excavated mounds, which is part of the museum.
Stop by the gift shop, which offers Native American handicrafts, books, and other interesting gift items.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook Visit the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site from March through October. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Have you ever visited the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site? We’d love to hear about your visit! If you’re interested in more Kentucky history, check out this underground tour.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site/Facebook
The largest mound is the Ceremonial Mound, which was used for religious purposes. Other mounds include a residential mound and a burial mound, along with several smaller mounds that were used for dwellings.
They cultivated corn and squash, and hunted and fished for food. The people had a hierarchical society, with a chief and other high-ranking men in charge of the village. A central plaza provided community space, with smaller dwellings surrounding it. The village grew to be fairly large, covering the entire bluff overlooking the river, but around 1350 CE, the people began migrating away from this area. Archaeologists still aren’t sure why the people abandoned this beautiful place.
In addition to a large mural, shown above, the museum showcases many of the artifacts found here.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site
Most of the excavation was completed in the 1930s, when amateur archaeologist began digging up artifacts and burial sites. This place was operated as a tourist site called “Ancient Buried City.” It was later donated to Murray State University. Excavation was halted to avoid further damaging the mounds. Students and archaeologists study the already-excavated portions of the mounds, but no longer dig. Today, some of the excavated mounds are covered with buildings to protect them. Visitors can see one of the excavated mounds, which is part of the museum.
Visit the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site from March through October. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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