Around 800 years ago, native peoples in this region began transforming a natural hill into Emerald Mound, following a visionary plan and building this flat-topped sacred mound over perhaps 300 years. Covering eight acres, this remarkably engineered mound is the second largest mound structure in the United States. The large rectangular mound once held eight smaller mounds, three along each side of a long plaza and one at each end. The Great Sun, a semi-divine chief, led from atop the largest of the eight mounds, more than 60 feet above where you are standing. Built along the ancient paths that became known as the Natchez Trace, Emerald Mound was an important ceremonial center for trade, ritual sporting contests, and social, political, and spiritual events.
