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Moundville Archaeological Park: Echoes of a Mississippian Metropolis

Discover the fascinating history and culture of the Mississippian people at Moundville Archaeological Park, one of the largest Native American settlements in North America.

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Explore the fascinating Moundville Archaeological Park, a 320-acre site preserving the remains of a major Mississippian culture center occupied from A.D. 1000 to 1450 [3, 7, 12]. Discover 29 earthen platform mounds, a museum with artifacts, and a reconstructed village, offering a glimpse into the lives of this advanced civilization [6, 12, 13].

A brief summary to Moundville Archaeological Park

Local tips

  • Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the park, including the mounds, museum, and village replica [2, 11].
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking and climbing the mounds [2].
  • Visit during the Moundville Native American Festival in October for a vibrant celebration of Native American culture [2].
  • Bring a picnic to enjoy on the park's grounds or by the Black Warrior River [2].
  • Check the park's website for information on guided tours and special events [2].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Moundville Archaeological Park is located at 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474 [2]. From Tuscaloosa, take US-82 W for approximately 18 miles [2]. Take the exit toward Moundville/US-43 S and exit onto Mound State Parkway [2]. Follow Mound State Parkway for about 3 miles to the park entrance [2]. Parking is available on-site at no additional cost [2, 3].

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    From Tuscaloosa, a taxi or ride-share service (Uber/Lyft) to Moundville Archaeological Park will take approximately 20 minutes, covering a distance of about 17 miles [2]. Expect to pay between $40-$50 for the ride [2]. There is no public transportation available between Tuscaloosa and Moundville [2, 3].

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Discover more about Moundville Archaeological Park

Moundville Archaeological Park, located on the Black Warrior River near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, offers a captivating journey into the world of the Mississippian people [7, 12, 13]. From approximately A.D. 1000 to 1450, this site served as a major political, social, and religious center, second in size and importance only to Cahokia in Illinois [7]. Once called “The Big Apple of the 14th Century” by National Geographic, Moundville was the largest city in America north of Mexico [6, 7, 13]. The park encompasses 320 acres and features 29 platform mounds arranged around a central plaza [3, 12]. These mounds, constructed over time, served as foundations for dwellings, temples, and civic buildings [9, 13]. Climb the steps of Mound B, the tallest in the collection at 60 feet, for panoramic views of the plaza and surrounding landscape [3]. Visit the Jones Archaeological Museum to explore exhibits explaining the significance of the park [3]. Discover artifacts unearthed during archaeological excavations, including pottery, artwork, and handcrafted tools [3, 13]. Life-size figures dressed in ceremonial clothing and jewelry offer a glimpse into the traditions of the Mississippian people [3, 6, 13]. Stroll through a replica of a Mississippian village and experience daily life in this ancient community [6]. Walk the half-mile nature trail through the Alabama woodland, offering scenic views of the mounds and the Black Warrior River [3, 6, 13]. The park also hosts the Moundville Native American Festival each October, celebrating the culture and heritage of Southeastern Indians [2].

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