Murphy Mound Archeological Site

Murphy Mound is an earthen mound in the Bootheel region of Missouri and ranks among the largest Mississippian structures in the state. The mound was built by an indigenous population, and its cemetery contained the remains of at least 91 individuals.

The structure was built between 1200 and 1400 CE during the Late Mississippian period. This era was marked by the development of complex settlements and trade networks among indigenous peoples.

The cemetery here shows different burial practices of the people who lived at this location: some were buried in bundles, others laid out straight or cremated. These varied methods tell us something about the beliefs and rituals that mattered to this community.

The site is open to the public and can be visited to explore the structure and its surroundings. The University of Missouri museum holds pottery and other artifacts discovered here, which help researchers learn more about the people who lived there.

The museum holds pottery and tools from the time that show how people here produced goods, traded, and lived. These finds offer a glimpse into the daily life of a Mississippian community that is rarely visible elsewhere.

Location: Missouri

GPS coordinates: 36.15280,-89.69440

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:06