Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term.
- Poverty Point

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Poverty Point is an archaeological and historical site located in northeastern Louisiana, United States. It is one of the most significant prehistoric cultural landmarks in North America and is named after a nearby 19th-century plantation. The site dates back to the Late Archaic period, with its main occupation and construction occurring between approximately 1700 and 1100 BCE, although evidence of human activity in the area spans from as early as 2200 BCE to 700 CE.

The significance of Poverty Point lies in its complex earthworks and sophisticated social organization for its time. The site consists of a series of earthen mounds and ridges that form a distinct pattern, including six concentric, C-shaped ridges that are divided by radial aisles and a central plaza. The largest mound, known as Mound A or the Bird Mound, is shaped like a bird and is one of the largest earthworks of its time in North America, measuring about 70 feet in height and 640 feet across.

Poverty Point is considered a monumental achievement because it was built by a hunter-gatherer society, which challenges the traditional view that only agrarian societies could produce such large-scale constructions. The inhabitants of Poverty Point were highly skilled in trade, as evidenced by the discovery of materials such as copper, quartz, and soapstone, which were not locally sourced and indicate a vast trade network.

The site provides valuable insights into the social and economic organization of the prehistoric inhabitants of the Lower Mississippi Valley. It is believed that the earthworks served both ceremonial and residential purposes, and the layout of the site suggests a high level of planning and social cohesion.

In recognition of its importance, Poverty Point was designated a National Monument by the United States in 1988 and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014. It remains a critical piece of North American prehistory and continues to be an important location for archaeological research and public education about the pre-Columbian history of the continent.

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