Town Creek Indian Mound

Town Creek Indian Mound offers a window into the sophisticated world of the Pee Dee culture, a regional expression of the South Appalachian Mississippian tradition. Established around the 11th century on a bluff overlooking the Little River, the site served as a political and ceremonial hub. Its mound, built atop the remains of earlier earth lodges, became a platform for temples and gatherings. The surrounding plaza hosted rituals, including the sacred "busk," a unifying festival of renewal and purification.

Since 1937, archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of complex societal structures, extensive trade networks and profound spiritual practices. Today, you can explore reconstructed mounds, ceremonial lodges and burial houses within the stockade-enclosed plaza. Trails and exhibits reveal the cultural vibrancy of the Pee Dee people, inviting modern audiences to reflect on the enduring legacies of North Carolina's Indigenous heritage.