Spiro Mounds Archaeological State Park is located in eastern Oklahoma in
Le Flore County on the banks of the
Arkansas River about 15 miles southwest of
Fort Smith. It was created in 1978 as part of an interpretive center.
The mounds themselves date back to the Mississippian Culture of 850 to 1450 A.D. These Caddoan-speaking people were also known as the "Southeastern Ceremonial Complex", the "Southern Death Cult", or the "Buzzard Cult" by various factions.
Originally there were 12 mounds but "private enterprise" (the Pocola Mining Company) excavated the "Craig Mound" and sold off thousands of artifacts made of basketry, copper, fabric, shell and stone and religious symbols between 1933 and 1935 when further exploration was halted.
Directions: 2 1/2 miles east and 3 1/2 miles north of Spiro on W.D. Mayo Lock & Dam Road off State Hwy 9.
