Insley Mounds, also known as the Insley Site, is an archaeological site located in Franklin Parish, Louisiana near the town of Delhi and partially extending into Richland Parish. The site is named after the family who owned the land on which it is located, and it is notable for being one of the most important archaeological sites in the state of Louisiana.
The site comprises a complex of six earthen mounds, which were constructed by the ancient Native American inhabitants of the region. These mounds were built between 700 and 1200 AD by the Coles Creek culture, a prehistoric Native American culture that existed in the southern United States during the Late Woodland period.
The largest mound at the Insley Site, known as Mound A, rises to a height of 22 feet and covers an area of approximately 1.5 acres. It is believed to have served as a platform for a large ceremonial structure or temple. The other mounds at the site are smaller in size and likely served various purposes, such as residences for elite individuals or burial sites for important members of the community.
In addition to the mounds, the site also contains several smaller features, including a plaza area and a series of ridges and depressions that may have been used for agricultural purposes. These features provide valuable insight into the daily lives and cultural practices of the Coles Creek people who lived at the Insley Site over a thousand years ago.
Excavations at the Insley Site have revealed a wealth of artifacts, including pottery, stone tools, and ceremonial objects, which shed light on the material culture and social organization of the Coles Creek people. The site has also yielded evidence of trade networks with other Native American groups in the region, as well as connections to the Mississippian cultures further to the north.
Today, the Insley Mounds are protected as a designated state historic site and are open to the public for archaeological research and educational purposes. Visitors to the site can learn about the rich history of the Coles Creek culture and explore the ancient mounds that once served as the center of a thriving Native American community in northeastern Louisiana.
