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“Mound Bottom” is a prehistoric Native American Indian site located just a few miles east of Dickson County down Highway 70. This prehistoric site is part of the Harpeth River State Park.
The site sits on a horseshoe bend of the Harpeth River about a mile north of Highway 70. The main feature of the site is a large earth mound that was built anywhere from 700-1,000 years ago by the Indians that we simply know as “Mound Builders.” There are at least a dozen smaller mounds also located in this area.
Mound Bottom and it’s surrounding area were the site of an ancient Indian village. Three sides of the village were surrounded by water, while the fourth side had a land entrance. This protected the village from attacks.
The mounds were probably used as the base of buildings for the public and the most important people of the village, such as the Chief. There is archeological evidence that suggests that there were hundreds of homes built on this site.
It was also a burial site, we know this because archeologists have discovered Indian remains in this area.
Across the River from the large mound, known as “Mound A” is a large bluff overlooking the mounds known as May’s Mace Bluff. If you travel to the top there are ancient Indian rock carvings.
Most historians think that this area was occupied by Native American Indians between approximately 1000 and 1300 AD. For unknown reasons, the Indians abandoned the area in the 1400’s and never returned.
This site was originally part of Dickson County before Cheatham County was created.