Moundville

Moundville is a significant archaeological site in western Alabama and the name of the surrounding rural community near Tuscaloosa. The site sits along the Black Warrior River in present-day Hale County and is preserved as the Moundville Archaeological Park and Museum, operated by the University of Alabama. It stands as one of the most important centers of the Mississippian culture, which flourished in the southeastern United States before European contact.

The core of the site comprises a large plaza encircled by numerous earthen mounds. The largest mounds housed elite residences and ceremonial buildings, while smaller mounds may have marked domestic or public spaces. At its peak, the Moundville complex included more than 20 mounds arranged in planned alignments around the plaza. The site yields rich evidence of social stratification, centralized political authority, ceremonial life, and long-distance trade, evidenced by Mississippian pottery, copper ornaments, shell artifacts, and other materials recovered during excavations.

Systematic investigations began in the early 20th century, and ongoing research and preservation have continued to shape understanding of Mississippian society. Today, visitors can explore the park’s mounds, a visitor center, and a museum that presents artifacts and interpretive exhibits about regional life, ritual practices, and daily activities of the people who inhabited Moundville.

The nearby town of Moundville serves as the gateway for tourism and supports a small local community adjacent to the park.