Archaeotrek
Sellars Indian Mound, Lebanon, TN Mississippian • Mound Complex & Earthworks
By Dr. Greg Little
Portions of this article come from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Native American Mounds & Earthworks.
The state archaeological area at Sellars Farm encompasses 1,670-acres and is a National Historic Site, which has seen several spectacular artifacts excavated from the mounds. The mound complex is located in Wilson County near Lebanon, TN as an annex of Long Hunter State Park. The Mississippian-era village area was established around A.D. 1000-1300 and is also known as the Lindsley Site. It was built on a bend of Spring Creek, which runs into the Cumberland River. The circular village area, comprised of 11-acres, was enclosed by a high outer earthwork that once supported a palisade wall. The central plaza contained a huge truncated mound on the west side and is 15-feet in height. Six smaller truncated mounds were on the south side of the plaza. Two earthen causeways were made that entered the village with a smaller mound at the base of one of the causeways. In 1939 two sandstone statues were excavated from one of the mounds. They were so impressive that one of the statues was used as an illustration for a U.S. postage stamp. The site is private with restricted access.
