Shiloh Indian Mounds Site

The Shiloh Indian Mounds Site is an archaeological location containing eight earthen mounds situated on a high bluff overlooking the Tennessee River in Hardin County. The complex includes seven platform mounds and one burial mound that formed the core of an early settlement.

People lived at this location between 1000 and 1350 CE, establishing a fortified village that served as the center of a paramount chiefdom. The settlement was a major political and social power in the region for several centuries.

Residents built over 100 houses using wattle and daub construction and grew maize as their main crop. Their trading networks extended to distant settlements like Cahokia in Illinois, showing how connected this community was to other regions.

The site is located within Shiloh National Military Park and features walking trails that connect the mounds and provide access to educational materials. Visitors should allow time to explore the grounds, as the mounds are spread across a wide area and it helps to bring a map or guide.

The site has remained undisturbed since it was abandoned, preserving original house structures that are still visible on the ground surface. These naturally preserved surface features are rare among other prehistoric sites in the eastern United States and offer glimpses into everyday life.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 35.14019,-88.32216

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49