The Mississippian Period is the object of intensive research throughout the Southeast. Currently several archaeological projects are underway within a fifty mile radius of Gordon County.

From around 1,000 B. C. until the arrival of the Europeans about 400 years ago, the Mississippian societies controlled local and regional territories along the large rivers of the area. The Mississippian communities were substantial and were characterized by permanent settlements that exceeded any previous settlements in size. They were supported by agriculture that was centered along the floodplain of rivers and were focused on the clutivation of maize (corn). Additionally, the Mississippians cultivated other plants such as beans and squash and pumpkins. There were also abundant wild foods that supplemented the diet including nuts, berries, greens, turkey, deer, and fish.

As the Mississippians focused more and more on the cultivation of maize for the primary food crop, there was an increased commitment to agriculture. This would have significant impact on the organizational complexity of the societies.

During the Woodland period society was more or less egalitarian. With the development of the Mississippian culture a more hierarchical society emerges with leadership based on heredity. Additionally, managerial organization develops.

It is believed now that the isolated villages of the Mississippian period were joined together at regional ceremonial centers, which were the focus of important religious and social activities. Large Mississippian towns were often planned around a central plaza and included one of more flat-topped, truncated mounds.

The Mississippian period saw shared regional religious icons. Common depictions include the forked or weeping eye, the hand-eye, the bi-lobed arrow, the cross with a sunburst circle, and many anthropomorphic beings. These pictorals appear on pottery, stone maces, embossed copper and stone plates, and a variety of other elaborate and specialized artifacts.

About 1,000 B. C. the Mississippians developed shell-tempered ceramics. The introduction of shell as a tempering agent started a revolution in the manufacture of ceramic vessels. The clay tempered with shell could be constructed with stronger but thinner walls. These could, then, be fashioned into a variety of innovative shapes (e.g., rim riding, structural effigies, shouldered jars, and compound water bottles.

The Gordon County area is surrounded by several mound sites which have been the subject of archaeological study. Several sites of mounds have been studied in Rome, Georgia. An old indian city has been discovered near Highway 140 just east of Rydal. The most important site for mound study, however, is located twenty miles south of the church in Cartersville. This is the site of the historic Etowah Indian Mounds. For a good description of this ancient Indian city Click Here.

To enjoy the Official Website for The Etowah Indian Mounds Click Here