Troyville Earthworks
Jonesville Mounds · 16CT7
Woodland Troyville culture 400–700 CE peak (with Baytown 100 BCE–400 CE foundations)·Baytown / Troyville-Coles Creek (Woodland to early Mississippian)·🇺🇸 Louisiana, Catahoula Parish, United States
About
About Troyville Earthworks
Nine-mound complex at Jonesville where 21st Louisiana's tallest pre-Columbian mound (Great Mound, 82 ft) stood until levee leveling. Baytown-Troyville-Coles Creek sequence with plaza and embankment. Excavated by Winslow Walker 1931–32 revealing stratified Troyville pottery type-site. Interpreted via LA Ancient Mounds Trail marker.
Why it mattersType-site for Troyville culture (400–700 CE) bridging Woodland Hopewell to Coles Creek-Plaquemine sequence; once tallest mound in Louisiana.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How Great Mound was constructed to 82 ft without Mississippian shell temper
- 02Causeway function to river landing vs astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Ceremonial center for Troyville-Coles Creek exchange along Little-Black-Ouachita rivers
- 02Political collapse at Troyville shifted center to Coles Creek mound centers
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.100 BCE–700 CE (Baytown to Troyville-Coles Creek)
- Period
- Woodland Troyville culture 400–700 CE peak (with Baytown 100 BCE–400 CE foundations)
- Culture
- Baytown / Troyville-Coles Creek (Woodland to early Mississippian)
- Builders
- Baytown / Troyville-Coles Creek
- Purpose
- Great Mound platform (82 ft/25 m) and causeway plaza center on Little River/Black River confluence; regional ceremonial hub
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.100 BCE–700 CE (Baytown to Troyville-Coles Creek)
Initial construction
400 CE foundations)
Major occupation / refurbishment
On the ground
Structures & features
31.6267° N · 91.8165° W · 16 m · 2 mapped features
Great Mound footprint
platform moundLeveled 82-ft mound platform footprint and remnant base
31.6268° N · 91.8163° WPlaza and causeway
plazaPlaza between mounds with causeway to Little River landing
31.6264° N · 91.8168° W
Gallery