Castalian Springs Mound Site
Castalian Springs (40Su14) · Bledsoe's Lick Mounds
Mississippian Middle Cumberland (1100–1350 CE)·Mississippian (Castalian Springs phase)·🇺🇸 Tennessee, Sumner County, United States
About
About Castalian Springs Mound Site
Premier Middle Cumberland Mississippian town (1100–1350 CE) centered on mineral spring: two major platform mounds (Mound 1 6 m high 55×45 m, Mound 2 burial 3 m) plus smaller mound, large plaza and enclosing palisade with bastions, on terraces above spring. Long Hunter stone-box phase overlain by Mississippian; Myer/WPA excavations uncovered copper repoussé plates, negative-painted effigy vessels, shell gorgets and early contact-era Spanish trade glass linking to Coosa. Part of 10-site Castalian Springs chiefdom cluster; not currently open to public but protected by state.
Why it mattersType-site for Castalian Springs phase; unique mineral-spring central town illuminating Mississippian utilization of salt and ritual water sources.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Spring ritualism evidence (offerings)
- 02Late abandonment vs de Soto 1540s contact
Theories
- 01Theocratic polity centered on sacred spring
- 02Planned abandonment before sustained European contact due to drought
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1100–1200 CE
- Period
- Mississippian Middle Cumberland (1100–1350 CE)
- Culture
- Mississippian (Castalian Springs phase)
- Purpose
- Chiefly center controlling salt spring and trade
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1100–1200 CE
Initial construction
c. 1404 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
36.3986° N · 86.3135° W · 165 m · 2 mapped features
Platform Mound 1
pyramid55×45 m platform 6 m high with elite structure summit
36.3989° N · 86.3134° WMineral spring and palisade plaza
springArtesian sulfurous spring 50 m southwest with plaza and palisade
36.3982° N · 86.3138° W
Gallery