real history. Cyrus Thomas and John P. Rogan tested the site in 1883 for the Smithsonian Institution, which was conducting a survey of recognized mound sites. The first well-documented archaeological inquiry at the site did not begin until the winter of 1925, conducted by Warren K. Moorehead. His excavations into Mound C at the site revealed a rich array of Mississippian culture burial goods. These artifacts, along with the collections from Cahokia, Moundville site, Lake Jackson Mounds, and Spiro Mounds, would comprise the majority of the materials which archaeologists used to define the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (SECC). The professional excavation of this enormous burial mound contributed major research impetus to the study of Mississippian artifacts and peoples. It greatly increased the understanding of pre-Contact Native American artwork. Arthur R. Kelly, founding chairman of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Georgia, also conducted professional excavations and studies at Etowah Mounds, prior to planned flood control projects in the area. In 1947, the government built the Allatoona Dam upstream for flood control. The Etowah site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964. The Etowah Indian Mounds museum displays artifacts found at the site, including Mississippian culture pottery, monolithic stone axes, Mississippian stone statuary, copper jewelry, shell gorgets, and other artifacts. Gallery See also Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (Bibb County, Georgia) Kolomoki Mounds Leake Mounds (9BR2) Wilbanks Site Southeastern Ceremonial Complex List of Mississippian sites Funk Heritage Center List of National Historic Landmarks in Georgia (U.S. state) National Register of Historic Places listings in Bartow County, Georgia Further reading Squier, Ephraim George and Edwin Hamilton Davis. Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley. pp. 232–235. Notes References External links Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, official site Etowah Mounds near Cartersville, Georgia "Etowah: Remote sensing" , Archaeology magazine Etowah (Tumlin) Mounds historical marker Video of the site from the ground and the top of the largest mound made by a member of the Cherokee Nation from 2016 Archaeological museums in Georgia (U.S. state) Archaeological sites in Georgia (U.S. state) Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Georgia (U.S. state) Late Mississippian culture Mounds in Georgia (U.S. state) Muscogee Museums in Bartow County, Georgia National Historic Landmarks in Georgia (U.S. state) National Register of Historic Places in Bartow County, Georgia Native American history of Georgia (U.S. state) Native American museums in Georgia (U.S. state) Pre-historic cities in the