Backusburg Mounds

The Backusburg Mounds is an archaeological site in Calloway County, Kentucky featuring a cluster of earthen mounds. The largest mound rises prominently along a ridgeline, while smaller mounds surround it across the landscape.

Native American groups built these mounds during the Mississippian period as a central settlement. The location near the fork of the Clarks River made it an important spot in the region's ancient landscape.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered stone tools, pottery fragments, and skeletal remains that indicate the presence of a developed Native American community.

The site is accessible to visitors, with the best times to visit during drier months when the ground is easier to walk on. Ongoing research by local university teams means archaeological work sometimes takes place on the property.

The mounds display an unusual arrangement suggesting they were not all built at the same time. Smaller mounds were constructed next to the main one over an extended period, revealing a gradual building process.

Location: Calloway County

GPS coordinates: 36.70250,-88.46083

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23