Fitzhugh Mounds

Fitzhugh Mounds is an archaeological site in Madison Parish, Louisiana from the Plaquemine and Mississippian period dating to approximately 1200–1541 CE.^[1] It is the type site for the Fitzhugh Phase (1350–1500) of the Tensas Basin Plaquemine Mississippian chronology.

Fitzhugh Mounds

Plate XXXIX Ancient Works in Madison Parish, La
Location within Louisiana today
Location	Mound, Louisiana, Madison Parish, Louisiana,  USA
Region	Madison Parish, Louisiana
Coordinates	32°19′14.6″N 91°4′49.3″W
History
Founded	700 CE
Abandoned	1541
Periods	Fitzhugh Phase
Cultures	Plaquemine culture
Site notes
Responsible body: private

Description

The site was once an impressive seven-mound complex, with four of the platform mounds surrounding a central plaza. The site is first mentioned in E. G. Squier and E. H. Davis' Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley in 1848.^[2]

The largest mound at the site, at 30 feet (9.1 m) in height, was bulldozed and carted away to use as fill during the construction of Interstate 20. Other of the mounds have been extensively plowed by local farmers and only two of the original seven mounds remain. Mound B is 10 feet (3.0 m) in height. Mound D serves as an active historic cemetery and is approximately 4 feet (1.2 m) in height.^[1]

Location

The site is located on La 602 4 miles (6.4 km) south-southwest of its junction with I-20.^[1]

See also

• Schicker Mound: also in Madison Parish
• Culture, phase, and chronological table for the Mississippi Valley