For the Gadling series “World Heritage Site new “Tentative List”: Places to Love” we are covering the 14 sites that have been submitted for possible inclusion as an official World Heritage Site in the United States. The sites will not be posted in order of importance or in the order they appear on the list.
Number 6
Name of Site: Poverty Point National Monument and State Historic Site
Location: Near Epps, Louisiana
Reason for importance in a nutshell: Constructed 1700 – 1100 years ago, this may be the “remains of the largest hunter-gatherer settlement that has ever existed.” And it’s in America’s back door!
Grant’s Take: Many people don’t think that North America is rich in archaeological history. As Poverty Point shows, however, many parts of the country are rich with anthropological, indigenous depth. This 400 acre site features a series of concentric earthen circles on which an ancient culture based their society. It’s an excellent example of historic organization and cultural stratification, and may well be America’s real first city. Sounds like reason enough to take a look.