We finished with the plantation early enough that we had time to return to Natchez and visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. Website is here.
This is a small park with a museum, three earth mounds and a replica of the Indians' homes. Like many tribes along the Mississippi, the Natchez built mounds. Often they built homes or temples on the mounds, although some mounds were used for burials.
Archaeologists have excavated two of the three mounds here; the third one apparently wasn't used much by the locals, as it kept washing away. It's been left for future excavations.
This is the larger of the two remaining mounds, and was used as the base for a temple, as well as burial. French traders recorded two funerals in this village. Both were for chiefs, or "Great Suns", and both involved human sacrifice of the chief's family and some servants. The second mound held housing for the Great Sun and his family.
Inside the museum are displays of pottery, hunting implements, and a history of the area. There is also a place hosting items visitors can touch, such as feathers, stones, and pieces of pottery.
The replica of a Natchez house.
Plaques around the area provide information on the culture and history of the Natchez. All of it is on level ground, and walking is easy. Most of the grounds can be covered in half an hour or so.
There is also a picnic area, which doubles as a spot for community groups and families to hold events. While we were there, the local Humane Society was wrapping up an annual fundraiser, and later several families set up for a Frozen-themed birthday party.
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