Burial Mounds & Archaeology

WHAT IS A BURIAL MOUND?  A burial mound is a native cemetery.  The Timucua did not bury dead people in a box.  Instead, they had a special place where the whole body (or just the bones) were placed on the ground.  Sometimes the person’s favorite tools or toys were laid next to them.  Then dirt and clay were piled over the dead person to cover them up.  The next time someone died, he (or she) was laid in the same area.  Another pile of dirt and clay was piled over them.  This is what causes the mound or hill shape. 

WHAT ARE GRAVE GOODS?  Grave goods are the things that were buried with dead people.  Some examples of Timucua grave goods include projectile points (arrowheads), pottery, beads and other jewelry, tools, and food.  People who were very important in their village usually had lots of grave goods buried with them.   Chiefs were buried in their own separate burial mound with many more grave goods than the average person.  Archaeologists (scientists who study the past) can learn about native tools and other aspects of native culture by studying burial mounds.  For example, the fact that Timucua people broke (or killed) pots before burying them as grave goods suggests that Timucua people believed the pot had to be dead to travel with the dead person to the spirit world.

ARE THERE MANY BURIAL MOUNDS IN FLORIDA AND GEORGIA?  Yes, there are many native burial sites in both states.  If you find one or visit one, you should remember to show respect for the people who are buried there.  It is against the law to dig in or steal from a native burial site.  There is a burial mound at the Pelotes Island Nature Preserve called “Dent Mound.” Click here to find out more about the Dent Mound Burial Site. 

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