You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. ~ Unknown
After having some fun in European history at Medieval Times on Wednesday, the following Saturday we ventured to real historical place within an hour's drive from home: the Etowah Indian Mounds. We have lived in Georgia for nearly twelve years and I have been wanting to go there ever since I first heard of them. I am kind of glad that I did not go previously, because it was not until the spring of last year that some American Indians, Etowah staff, and volunteers built a wattle and daub house, believed to be similar to homes and buildings built by the Etowah. It was a rather warm day when we visited the mounds and the wattle and daub dwelling was pleasantly cooler inside.
Mound A is the largest and tallest, about 63 feet in height. The steps were shallow and easy to walk, but still daunting and not for the faint of heart. There was a time that Mound A had trees on this sides, but in 2007 they were cut down to preserve the structural integrity of what is believed to be the ceremonial mound. The stumps were left behind.
In the river is a V-shaped fish trap of piled stone. It is believed that the Etowah used the flow of the river to channel fish into baskets placed at the point.
There is a strange, hushed feeling of presence, mystery, wonder, and even loss in places a civilization has abandoned yet left its mark upon the land. These people fortified their village, even built a moat. All that work to improve their lives and they are gone, leaving us trying to understand what happened to them by what they left behind.
Mound A is the largest and tallest, about 63 feet in height. The steps were shallow and easy to walk, but still daunting and not for the faint of heart. There was a time that Mound A had trees on this sides, but in 2007 they were cut down to preserve the structural integrity of what is believed to be the ceremonial mound. The stumps were left behind.
In the river is a V-shaped fish trap of piled stone. It is believed that the Etowah used the flow of the river to channel fish into baskets placed at the point.
There is a strange, hushed feeling of presence, mystery, wonder, and even loss in places a civilization has abandoned yet left its mark upon the land. These people fortified their village, even built a moat. All that work to improve their lives and they are gone, leaving us trying to understand what happened to them by what they left behind.
~ My Lord, how many civilizations have you seen rise and fall, grow to be engulfed by another and fade away, and conquer to be conquered? How many more centuries will it take for mankind to learn to come to You and stop taking from each other? ~
