The Indian Mounds, Baton Rouge

The Indian Mounds, Baton Rouge

The Indian Mounds at Louisiana State University are two Native American mounds thought to be more than 5,000 years old. They are considered the oldest surviving human-made structures in the Americas. Some believe the mounds are over 11,000 years old, which makes them the oldest surviving human-made structures in the world.

The mounds are 20 feet tall and take up a space of two acres. They were built overlooking the Mississippi River and were used for ceremonial purposes rather than for burial. However, some experts have suggested that cremated human remains were placed within the mounds due to the presence of ancient charcoal.

The mounds have been damaged over the years due to human traffic and natural erosion. Preservation attempts against human interference include placing sidewalks between the structures, building low brick walls between them, and fencing them during LSU games. Preservation attempts against natural erosion include rebuilding portions of the mounds with river silt and seeding with Bermuda grass.

The Indian Mounds are on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

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The Indian Mounds on Map

Sight Name: The Indian Mounds
Sight Location: Baton Rouge, USA (See walking tours in Baton Rouge)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Create Your Own Walk in Baton Rouge

Create Your Own Walk in Baton Rouge

Creating your own self-guided walk in Baton Rouge is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Louisiana State University Walking Tour

Louisiana State University Walking Tour

Louisiana State University is the flagship university of the LSU system. It was originally founded in Pineville in 1860 as a seminary and military academy. The present campus in Baton Rouge was established in 1926.

The LSU campus is noted for its architecture and historical center. The campus has 250 buildings designed in the Italian Renaissance style. Among these are the Memorial Tower, Hill...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Baton Rouge Introduction Walking Tour

Baton Rouge Introduction Walking Tour

Baton Rouge is the capital of the state of Louisiana. The area that is now Baton Rouge was initially settled by the Houma and Bayougoula Indian Tribes. These two indigenous tribes used a giant cypress pole painted in red to mark the boundary between the tribal lands. Early French settlers dubbed that cypress pole "Le Baton Rouge" or Red Stick.

European settlement of Baton Rouge began...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles