Cayson Mound and Village Site

Cayson Mound and Village Site is an archaeological location with earthen mounds and settlement remains spread along the Apalachicola River, about 3 miles southeast of Blountstown. The area contains multiple raised structures that served both residential and ceremonial functions for its former inhabitants.

The location was home to a Fort Walton Culture settlement that thrived between 1050 and 1500 CE as part of the wider Mississippian tradition. This period saw the development of stable communities that built lasting structures along the river.

The site shows evidence of formal burial rituals and clear social ranking among the Native American residents who lived there. These practices reveal how central ceremony and hierarchy were to community life.

The site requires patience to explore since many features lie beneath vegetation and are not always obvious from the ground. Advance research or guidance from local sources helps identify the different mound structures and navigate the area effectively.

The inhabitants moved earth by hand to create these monumental forms, lacking any of the heavy machinery available today. This demonstrates the remarkable capability of these communities to reshape their landscape through pure physical effort and organization.