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The Mississippian Moundbuilders in Evansville… on this Moment of Indiana History.
At a time when Europe was plunged into the Dark Ages, a Native American culture, known today as the Mississippian Moundbuilders, thrived in what is now the Angel Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville.
The innovative Mississippian culture originated in the
southeastern United States, and was the first to extensively exploit agriculture
and build permanent communities with thousands of residents. The population
at Angel Mounds may have reached 3,000 and was the largest settlement
in Indiana. It was the center of trade, government and religion for the
smaller surrounding communities.
By 1450 Angel Mounds was abandoned. There is no evidence to show why the
inhabitants left, and it remains a mystery to this day.
Most of the population shifted 30 miles to the west of Angel Mounds and they continued to live on small farms and in villages along the Ohio River until the early 1600s. However, these Mississippians were also gone before Europeans arrived in Indiana.
This Moment of Indiana History is a production of the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations in association with the Indiana Historical Society. More information is available at “moment of Indiana history dot org."