Bell Field Mound Site

Bell Field is an archaeological site in Georgia featuring a central mound with multiple construction phases, terraces, and auxiliary buildings connected by passageways. The site and its structures now rest beneath the waters of a modern reservoir.

Late 1960s excavations revealed eight construction layers showing the transition from Dallas to Lamar cultural occupations spanning from 1000 to 1700 AD. These layers document an extended period of habitation and cultural change in the region.

The site served as a center for ceremonial life, with a council house designed to hold many people and a dance floor marked in compacted sand. These structures show how important gathered celebrations and ritual activities were to the people who lived here.

The entire site now lies beneath Carters Dam reservoir, constructed during the 1970s. Comprehensive archaeological excavations were conducted before flooding to document and preserve knowledge of what lay here.

Excavations found storage pits filled with burned corn and beans, suggesting specific ritual practices of the inhabitants. These burned food remains offer clues about religious ceremonies and how residents managed their resources.

Location: Georgia

GPS coordinates: 34.60980,-84.68140

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:22