Swallow Bluff Island Mounds

Swallow Bluff Island Mounds is an archaeological site with two platform mounds and a central plaza situated on a 69-acre island in the Tennessee River. The mounds vary in size, with the larger one featuring a square foundation and an elevated platform at its summit.

The site developed during the Mississippian cultural period and was constructed over several centuries in distinct phases. Archaeological research confirmed that the mounds were carefully planned and built in successive stages by organized communities.

The site served as a northern hub of the Mississippian culture, connecting distant communities through trade and shared traditions. Stone graves found on the main mound show that people of high rank were buried here.

Reaching the island requires planning due to river currents and exposure to wind from certain directions. Visitors should prepare accordingly to safely approach the site and explore the mounds on foot.

The larger mounds have geometrically precise shapes with measurements that reveal a deliberate construction system used by the builders. This exactness suggests such structures played a role in religious or administrative ceremonies.

Location: Tennessee

GPS coordinates: 35.39050,-88.15900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:46