Ingomar Mound Event is Saturday October 12, 2019

The annual Ingomar Mound Event is set this Saturday, October 12, 2019, from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. , weather permitting.

Ingomar Mound site is located south of New Albany off Highway 15, west on CR 96 for two miles.

The outdoor event allows visitors a chance to tour the mounds, participate in hands- on activities and to bring objects for identification by archaeologists from Cobb Institute. There is a one-mile walking trail around the site as well as interpretive signage. The 63 acre Ingomar Mound site is owned by the Archaeological Conservancy, a national non-profit a national non –profit organization who protects important archaeological sites. The Union County Historical Society helps with interpretation of the site .

One of the artifacts at the museum which the Smithsonian archaeologist collected in the 1880s. The artifact is now on loan to the museum and is on exhibit.
Photo: Mississippi Travel Magazine

Ancient weapons demonstrations include throwing the atlatl, the throwing stick and the blow gun. Visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at using ancient weapons, said Jill Smith, Director of Union County Heritage Museum. Hands-on crafts and activities for children will also be a part of the event.

The oldest man made structure in Union County, the Ingomar mound complex has been carbon dated to being constructed 2,200 years ago, according to research done by the late Dr. Janet Rafferty from Mississippi State University, who made this archaeological structure one of her main focuses of research and publications.

The first historic record of the mound comes through letters written by the Rev. Samuel Agnew who wrote the Smithsonian Institution to ask that they large site be studied. This communication took place circa 1865, and it is supposed that the Rev. Agnew passed the mound group often while visiting a church elder that then lived near the mounds. Agnew was pastor at Hopewell ARP Church for a period as well as other ARP churches in the area.

By the mid 1880s researchers from the American Bureau of Ethnology spent several months researching and mapping the site and removing artifacts from the 14 mound location. The Smithsonian now has much of these materials. The Union County Heritage Museum also has an exhibit which features objects from the early excavations.

The event Saturday is free, made possible by the museum’s Community Partner Program. For more information call the museum at 662-538-0014.

Ingomar Mounds Event, October 2018: http://newalbanyunionco.com/ingomar-mounds-day-ancient-forgers/