Poverty Point nominated as World Heritage Site

Poverty Point nominated for World Heritage List

By Jordan BlumLouisiana’s Poverty Point State Historic Site and its ancient mounds in West Carroll Parish are officially vying for a spot on the World Heritage List that includes such famous sites as the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge and the Grand Canyon.

Outgoing U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Thursday the nomination that was prepared by the state and the National Park Service. The nomination was submitted to the World Heritage Centre in Paris. The world list includes 962 sites in 157 countries, but only 21 in the U.S.

“The Poverty Point earthworks are the remarkable legacy of a prehistoric hunter-gatherer society that existed thousands of years ago,” Salazar said in the announcement. “Designation as a World Heritage Site not only would be an honor for both Louisiana and the United States, but also would be an invitation to domestic and international travelers …”

Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne said this effort has been in the works for a while and that he is “optimistic” Poverty Point will be added to the list when a final decision is made in 2014. Being the “No. 1” recommended site by the federal government certainly helps, he said.Comment:  For more on Indians and archaeology, see Cave of Blue Dolphins Woman Found and Indiana Jones's Criminally Bad Archaeology.