Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or a more active adventure, you’ll find a wealth of places to go in Spiro. Visit the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, which hosts annual ceremonies such as the Family Kite Flite Day and Archaeology Day. Or check out the Spiro Mounds Development Association’s periodic temporary exhibits.
Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center
In 1978, the Spiro Mounds Archaeology Center opened its doors to the public. Today, the center is owned by the Oklahoma Historical Society. Since 2011, the center has conducted an archeological investigation at the site using non-invasive technologies like ground penetrating radar and electrical resistance. This investigation revealed rows of temporary shelters that were used by visitors to Craig Mound.
Visitors can explore the site on their own or join a guided tour. There are also interpretive exhibits and an introductory slide program to help them learn more about the mounds. The center also has a small gift shop and almost two miles of interpreted hiking trails.
Spiro is one of Oklahoma’s best cultural resources. The archaeological site is 150 acres in size, and contains twelve mounds, including the elite village area and a support city. The site was occupied for over a thousand years until the late fourteenth century, and it developed strong economic, religious, and political ties with other cultures, including those of the Gulf of California and the coast of Virginia.
The Spiro Mounds Archaeology Center was opened to the public in 1978 and now features exhibits of Mississippian stone statuary. The site is also Oklahoma’s only pre-contact Native American site that is open to the public. The museum is a must-visit for any history buff.
The Spiro people traveled to various places around the world to trade goods. They travelled in dugout canoes that were 60 feet long, with sails, and could carry up to eighty people. The Spiro people traded in wood and other perishable items. They also traded in copper and other metals.
Ancient Spiro ceremonial complexes
In ancient times, the Spiro Mounds people participated in a network of ceremonial centers that shared a Mississippian culture. As a result, this region was a focal point for massive cultural exchanges. Exotic materials, such as colored flint from New Mexico and beads from the Sea of Cortez, were traded throughout the area. Other treasures were brought from the Cumberland River region and South Appalachia.
Artifacts from the Spiro culture are breathtakingly beautiful. They came from all over North America and depict people, deities, animals, and mysterious composite beings. The Spiro culture was not only highly-developed, but also preserved many of its treasures for centuries.
The Spiro complex was used for ceremonial purposes from 950 to 1450 A.D. During this time, the Brown Mound and Spiro Plaza were used as sites for ceremonies. Many of these activities were connected to the death rituals of the city’s powerful leaders. Even after the settlement’s main population departed, the site continued to function as a ceremonial hub for the region.
After AD 1450, the Spiro site underwent significant cultural changes. Some artifacts are similar to those from Plains and Wichita groups, while others show similarities to artifacts from the Mississippian era. However, differences in mound construction and food cultivation led scholars to define the Spiro site as a Caddoan city. In addition, Spiro’s iconography was similar to that of other Mississippian Ceremonial Centers.
The Great Mortuary was a burial complex used by the Spiro rulers. It consisted of sacred cedar posts sunk into the ground, and a cone-shaped chamber covered in layers of earth. The cone-shaped chamber tended to be filled with earth to prevent it from collapsing. The mound’s mineral content also preserved perishable artifacts and objects in the burial chamber.
Ancient Spiro trade network
The ancient Spiro trade network had a diverse range of trade routes. The Southern Cult was an important player in the network. Leaders of the southern cult traded ritual objects. In addition to their trade routes, the Spiroan people also developed complex political and social systems. A variety of archaeological discoveries have helped us understand the world in which they lived.
The Spiro trade network is a fascinating example of a prehistoric American Indian civilization. The ancient Spiro people, who lived in what is now Oklahoma, developed a sophisticated culture similar to other North American civilizations. This sophisticated civilization included a sophisticated trade network, a highly developed social and political center, and an impressive artistic complex that dominated the region from about A.D. 800 to 1450.
Spiro was a major Mississippian town from 800 to 1450 AD, and its maize cultivation helped the people accumulate surpluses of their crops and gather more dense populations. It was also the seat of a regional chiefdom. Spiro sat on the southern bank of the Arkansas River, and its mounds surrounded an oval plaza. The mounds were also bases for important leaders’ homes and religious structures.
The ancient Spiro people controlled bison populations on the plains. They traded with bison for wood and meat. Bison was a highly sought after item and a valuable resource. Bison meat and wood were a major part of the Spiro trade network. Bison meat and skins were traded across the region, and bison meat was traded with other cultures. Bison meat and bone were traded for bison, and wood from bison was used for bows and other weapons.
Ancient Spiro religious center
The ruins of the Ancient Spiro religious center are a rare opportunity to learn about a North American Indigenous culture. The Spiroan people, who inhabited a geographical area equal to that of the Mayas and Aztecs, created elaborate artifacts, political centers, and social networks. This exhibition explores the archaeology of the site and how the Spiroan culture was connected to other Indigenous communities in North and Central America. It also highlights the daily life of the Spiro people. Some of the artifacts found at the site include a sacred object from the Valley of Mexico and California, and items from the Cumberland River area and South Appalachia.
Excavations at the site revealed a remarkable amount of artifacts from this ancient Native American community. The archaeological site is home to many carved stone and pottery pieces. The artifacts from the site include a stone effigy pipe, polished chunkey stones, and intricately engraved conch shell ornaments. These items are among the most impressive examples of pre-Columbian art in North America.
The archaeological site also includes the Great Mortuary, a structure for burying the rulers of the Spiro people. This was a cone-shaped chamber surrounded by sacred cedar posts. The cedar posts were then covered with layers of earth, which prevented the structure from collapsing. During the time of the Spiroan culture, the village had a thriving resident population until 1250 AD. Afterward, the Spiro religious center continued to function as a regional ceremonial center until the 14th century, when the main population had moved away.
The exhibition at the Spiro Mounds will feature the artifacts of the Spiro people and show how the culture and art of the Spiro people is connected to ours. The exhibition will include more than one hundred and seventy objects and will be accompanied by a publication and a website. It will also feature a symposium and a panel discussion with seventeen humanities scholars.
Spiro as a tourist destination
The Spiro Mounds are located on 150 acres of government protected land and include one burial mound, two temple mounds, nine house mounds, and a village area. They represent various sections of an ancient support city. According to the Kansas City Star, Spiro was the “King Tut of the Arkansas Valley.” Visitors will be able to view artifacts found at the site, and see how the ancient people lived and used resources.
The exhibition is comprised of historic artifacts and contemporary Native American art. The Spiro people were able to develop highly developed agricultural communities in the Midwest and Southeast, including towns built on top of mounds of their predecessors. The Spiro people are considered the first to build agricultural towns, and some communities are still active today.
Although the town of Spiro has a small population, it has many unique things to do. It is a hidden gem of a destination. It’s located near Muskogee, and can be a great side trip for travelers to experience a relaxing getaway. Spiro is also home to the Chickasaw Cultural Center, which serves as the cultural heart of the Indigenous people.
The archaeological sites of Spiro date back to the 1500s. The first mound at Spiro was constructed around AD 950. Later, in the 1200s, the Mounds were joined together by additional earth. During this time, the people of Spiro dug a pit into the largest mound, called the Great Mortuary. These ancient people buried their ancestors in the mounds and stored their artifacts. Eventually, the mounds were excavated and made available to museums throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. Today, it is one of the most important pre-contact sites in North America.
