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     Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site

Historic Site (770) 387-3747


Winner of Cartersville's
2007 People's Choice Awards

Home to several thousand Native Americans between 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D., this 54-acre site contains six earthen mounds, a plaza, village area, borrow pits and defensive ditch. This is the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeastern United States.

While only nine percent of this site has been excavated, examination at Mound C and surrounding artifacts revealed much about the people who lived here more than 500 years ago. The Etowah Indian Mounds symbolize a society rich in ritual. Towering over the community, the 63-foot flat-topped earthen knoll was likely used as a platform for the home of the priest-chief. In another mound, nobility were buried in elaborate costumes accompanied by items they would need in their after-lives. Today, visitors may tour the museum where exhibits interpret daily life in the once self-sufficient community.

Many artifacts show how the natives of this political and religious center decorated themselves with shell beads, tattoos, paint, complicated hairdos, feathers and copper ear ornaments. Well-preserved stone effigies and objects made of wood, sea shells and stone are also displayed.


Etowah's Wattle & Daub House

Teacher's Resource for Touring Historic Sites

The Etowah Dugout Canoe

Archaeology at Etowah 2005-2007

"Destination Etowah" - (Summer 2008 newsletter)


Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 2-5:30PM; Closed Monday (except holidays), Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For a more enjoyable visit, plan to spend 1-2 hours.

  Note: Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site has no reservable facilities.  


Events

Flintknapping
Saturday, Aug 30, 2008 10 AM - 4 PM
Flintknapping is the making of projectile points from different types of stone. See demonstrations of this ancient art.  $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747.
Lecture: Georgia's Indian Heritage
Saturday, Sep 13, 2008 2:30 PM - 4 PM
Learn about pre-historic, Creek and Cherokee Indians of north Georgia.  $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747.
Skills of the Past
Saturday, Oct 4, 2008 10 AM - 4 PM
Weaponry, flintknapping, basketweaving and pottery-making -- all crafts essential to the survival of the Native Americans of the Southeast -- will be demonstrated.  $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747.
Get Outdoors Georgia Torch Light Tour of the Ancient City
Saturday, Oct 4, 2008 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Step back into ancient times as you walk along a torch-lit path and illuminated mounds. The 3/4-mile tour includes walking 134 steps to the top of 67-feet-high Mound A, the temple mound of the Etowah chief.  $2.50-$4. 770-387-3747.


Admission: $2.50-$4.
Group rates available with advance notice.
Bus parking available.


FACILITIES:
  • 6 Earthen Mounds
  • Museum
  • Gift Shop
  • 20 Picnic Tables
  • Riverside Benches
  • Bus Parking


    NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:
  • Cartersville-Bartow County
  • Gordon County
  • Sandy Springs, Georgia
  • Chief Vann House State Historic Site
  • Fort Mountain State Park (camping/cottages)
  • New Echota State Historic Site
  • Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site
  • Red Top Mountain State Park (lodge/camping/cottages)

  •   Address/Directions
    Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site
    813 Indian Mounds Rd., S.W.
    Cartersville , GA 30120

    Located 5 miles southwest of I-75 exit #288. Follow brown directional signs.

     
     
    Make reservations using the options above or call 1-800-864-7275 (Monday-Friday, 8AM-8PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM EST).
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