Ocmulgee National Monument - Earth Lodge

One of the first things you see when you visit the Ocmulgee National Monument is the Earth Mound. The Earth Lodge is a reconstructed council chamber of the Mississippian people that incorporates and protects the original 1,000-year old floor. A circle of seats and the symbolic bird effigy bring to life this building that had both political and spiritual significance. This is the largest of eight earth lodges discovered on the Macon Plateau.

Other sites at the Ocmulee National Monument include the Lesser Temple Mound and the Greater Temple Mound. These mounds were constructed around 900 to 950 AD. The purpose of these mounds is not certain, but their existence indicates that priests were greatly honored at their death.

I enjoyed my visit to this site, especially since I had never been there before.