Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site near Cartersville preserves the remains of a Mississippian chiefdom that thrived about a thousand years ago. Six earthen mounds rise above the Etowah River floodplain, and together with a plaza and village area they form one of the most important Native American sites in the Southeast. Visitors can climb the largest mound for a view over the site and explore the museum, which displays artifacts and explains the culture of the people who built it. Walking paths lead along the river and past other features of the ancient village. Parking is $5 per vehicle. It is an excellent stop for anyone interested in the deep history of Georgia before European settlement.