Known as one of the most important archaeological sites discovered in Florida, the Lake Jackson Mounds Archaelogical State Park is located just north of Tallahassee near Lake Jackson. Some of the most significant artifacts in the state of Florida have been found here. The site was once a large ceremonial center dating back to the Fort Walton period of Florida's history (1000 A.D.-1450 A.D.). The entire complex consists of six earth temple mounds and one possible burial mound. At least part of the village and trading area, the two largest mounds and a third smaller mound are located here. Pottery, stone tools and the location and shape of the mounds have been used to identify the age and culture of the site. The remains of important tribal members have also been found with a rich array of burial objects including items such as copper breast plates and shell beaded necklaces. These artifacts provide evidence of religious and trading ties with other large, pre-historic Indian ceremonial centers in the southeastern United States.
This park is located not far from where I live. There is a little creek running through it where my now grown-up kids used to go "creek stomping" with their preschool class. When we first built our house, it was not unusual for my kids to find arrowheads in our backyard. They would also find them on the playground of their elementary school near our house. The second picture is of the largest mound in the park.
