Watson Brake Mound E
Formative to Mississippian (1500 BCE–1500 CE)·Woodland–Mississippian·🇺🇸 Louisiana, Ouachita Parish, United States
About
About Watson Brake Mound E
Watson Brake Mound E in Louisiana, Ouachita Parish, United States is a Formative to Mississippian (1500 BCE–1500 CE) earthwork attributed to Woodland–Mississippian. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal earthwork 350 m long and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 32.3310N -92.1500E controls access to Louisiana resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey earthwork for Louisiana, Ouachita Parish, illustrating Woodland–Mississippian construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 1200 BCE–1200 CE
- Period
- Formative to Mississippian (1500 BCE–1500 CE)
- Culture
- Woodland–Mississippian
- Purpose
- Ceremonial earthwork centre for gathering and burial
- Rediscovered
- 1961 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1200 BCE–1200 CE
Initial construction of Watson Brake Mound E main structure
c. 1901
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1961–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Watson Brake Mound E) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
32.3310° N · 92.1500° W · 87 m · 3 mapped features
Watson Brake Mound E — Main Structure
structurePrincipal earthwork — Earthwork 350 m long with diagnostic masonry/panel
32.3318° N · 92.1491° WWatson Brake Mound E — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
32.3300° N · 92.1507° WWatson Brake Mound E — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
32.3325° N · 92.1488° W