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| Image #120327_0102-3-4 Mound A is the largest at Poverty Point. |
Louisiana’s Poverty Point has been named as a World Heritage
site, quite an honor for this fascinating historical park. It joins Machu Picchu, the Pyramids and the
Grand Canyon among other gems around the world with this special
designation. Poverty Point is the 22nd
such honor in the United States.
I have had the opportunity to photograph there numerous times, even at night. Quite peaceful for it is hidden off major highways in rural West Carroll Parish. You can listen to nature’s night sounds as the planet rotates making the stars appear to move. Just like I suspect the Indian hunter-gathers and traders did 3000 years ago. There are not many places left you can imagine yourself sitting in nature as did these ancient people.
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| Image #120328_0203 Stars glow peacefully above Mound A. |
Significant is the fact that 2,000 people lived here for
about 600 years without agriculture.
They lived off the land by hunting, fishing and gathering. There are not that many places in the world
where that can happen for so many people and for so long of time. It proves what a rich environment Louisiana
has. Bayou Macon had fish of many kinds, turtles, alligators and mussels. Deer, squirrels and other game were numerous
in the surrounding swamps and forest.
Birds such as wintering waterfowl provided more food and if there were
any vegetarians the varied landscapes had all kinds of nuts, berries, and other
editable plants. The earthworks are
impressive and extensive. State
archeologists have figured it took 5 million hours to build then all. The largest is Mound A and it is shaped like
a flying bird. Go visit this special place.
