Plum Bayou Mounds: Echoes of Arkansas's Past

Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park, formerly known as Toltec Mounds, protects one of Arkansas's most significant pre-European archeological sites. This National Historic Landmark showcases the impressive remains of a ceremonial and governmental complex built by the Plum Bayou people between A.D. 650 and 1050. The site features three surviving mounds of the original eighteen, once surrounded by a 10-foot earthen embankment. Mound A, the tallest Native American mound in Arkansas, stands at approximately 48 feet. Visitors can explore the mounds and learn about the Plum Bayou culture through self-guided tours on the Knapp Trail (a three-quarter-mile, barrier-free trail) and the Plum Bayou Trail (1.6 miles). The visitor center offers interpretive exhibits, an audio/visual room, and an archeological lab. Once thought to be built by the Toltec Indians of Mexico, research has revealed that the mounds were constructed by the Plum Bayou people for ceremonial and religious purposes. The mounds were strategically placed, potentially serving as a calendar to mark planting and harvesting seasons. The park provides a unique opportunity to witness ongoing archeological research and connect with Arkansas's rich Native American history.