تلال كولوموكي

The Temple Mound is 56 feet (17 m) high and measures 325 by 200 feet (61 m) at the base. Research indicates that it would have taken over two million basket loads carried by individual workers, each holding one cubic foot of earth, to build this mound. The southern half of the mound is three feet higher and was probably the temple platform. From the top of the steps, most of the Kolomoki Archaeological Area can be viewed. Approximately 1,500 - 2,000 residents lived in a village of thatched houses that were built around the large plaza in the center of the complex. It was a place for public ceremonial activities and rituals, including games.

Mound D is one of the eight visible mounds at the Kolomoki site. It is a conical mound that is 20 feet (6.1 m) high from the ground. It is centrally located at Kolomoki. Archeologists discovered the remains of 77 burials and ceremonial pottery here. The effigy pottery discovered was shaped in various animal and bird shapes, such as deer, quail and owls.

Mound D was constructed in several stages, each time increasing in size. It began as a square-platform mound that was about 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. This original platform mound was built from yellow clay. Sixty pottery vessels were placed on the east wall including the above effigy pottery.

After many subsequent burials and the addition of more yellow clay in layers, the mound was shaped as a larger circular mound about 10 feet (3.0 m) tall. These burials took place on the eastern side of the mound, and the skulls face eastward, the direction of the rising sun, apparently for religious reasons. Burial objects made from iron and copper and pearl beads were included as ceremonial objects with the burials. Finally, the entire mound was covered with red clay.

In March 1974, a thief entered the museum at the park and stole more than 129 ancient pots and effigies, numerous arrowheads, and other treasures. Every artifact on display was stolen. Several years later, many of the pieces were recovered by police and dealers in Miami and St. Augustine, Florida. But, with more than 70 relics still missing, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has sought public help in recovering these artifacts. Archeologists believe the pots are somewhere in Georgia or Florida, perhaps held by dealers or private collectors.^[8]

Park Manager Matt Bruner said,

تُعدّ هذه القطع جزءًا هامًا من تاريخ أمريكا الشمالية، ويجب حمايتها بشكلٍ مناسب لكي تتمكن الأجيال القادمة من دراستها. ولها دلالة بالغة الأهمية لدى السكان الأصليين لأمريكا، إذ استُخدم العديد منها خلال مراسم الدفن، كما أنها تُمثّل بعضًا من أروع ما أنتجته حضارة كولوموكي من حرفية. ^{[ 8 ]}

وأكد أن الدولة مهتمة أكثر باستعادة الأواني من مقاضاة الأشخاص الذين يمتلكونها.

في 8 أبريل/نيسان 2026، أعاد رجل مجهول الهوية إناءً، يعود تاريخه إلى حوالي 1500 عام، إلى مركز زوار الحديقة. لم يُفصح الرجل عن هويته أو يُوضح سبب حيازته للإناء، وغادر قبل أن يتمكن موظفو الحديقة من فتح الصندوق الذي يحتويه. وقد سُجّلت الواقعة بواسطة كاميرات المراقبة. اعتبارًا من مايو/أيار 2026، لم يعد الرجل المجهول يُعتبر مشتبهًا به في حادثة السرقة الأصلية التي وقعت عام 1974، وفقًا لوزارة الموارد الطبيعية في جورجيا. ^{[ 9 ]} وتُشير الوزارة إلى أنها تُخطط للعمل "بالتعاون مع الشركاء القبليين المعترف بهم اتحاديًا فيما يتعلق بهذه القطعة الأثرية [المُعادة] وأي قطع أثرية أخرى يتم استعادتها مستقبلًا". ^{[ 10 ]}