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Poverty Point, known for its mound construction, is an archaeological site in northeastern Louisiana (near the town of Epps), overlooking the Mississippi River flood plain. The name derives from the Poverty Point plantation, which included the site's land in modern times. It was constructed c. 1730 BC–1350 BC by American Indians of the archaic Poverty Point culture that inhabited the Mississippi Delta at that time, and continued to develop further in the centuries to come.The earthen structures were built and enlarged for centuries, with the site reaching its final form at about 1000 BCE. It is referred to by some as the first true city of North America, although the population is unlikely to have exceeded 2000 individuals at any time.
The site is a wide, 400 acre (1.6 km²) plaza consisting of six concentric earthen ridges.
The site is a wide, 400 acre (1.6 km²) plaza consisting of six concentric earthen ridges.