Johnsonville State Historic Park

Description: Link Farm State Archeological Area Guided Tour

Location: Johnsonville State Historic Park

By approximately A.D. 1150 a large prehistoric mound and village center was constructed at the confluence of the Duck and Buffalo Rivers in Humphreys County by Native Americans that archaeologist refer to as the Mississippian culture. The site, known as the Link Farm, consists of four large mounds surrounding a central plaza and an occupation area at the top of a steep bluff overlooking the Duck River Valley. This ancient settlement, prominent throughout eastern North America as a center of prehistoric trade, declined and disappeared by A.D. 1400.

In 1894 a tenant farmer working a garden plot at the site uncovered what has come to be known as the Duck River Cache, one of the most impressive caches of prehistoric ceremonial items ever discovered in the southeastern United States. The Cache included a male and female pair of stone statues that likely represent mythical founding ancestors along with nearly four dozen ceremonial knives, daggers, swords, maces, and other striking examples of prehistoric art. 

Join Bill Lawrence, an archaeologist with the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, for a guided tour of this fascinating and scenic Mississippian mound site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Please meet at the Johnsonville State Historic Park Visitor Center at 1pm for a brief introduction and to cover details before leaving for the Link Farm site by 1:30pm. Participants will travel by personal vehicle to the Link Farm site. 

We will be walking over level to moderate terrain for a distance of approximately one mile. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring a small pack with snacks, water, etc. There are no restrooms at the Link Farm site. Please do not bring pets. The tour will be cancelled in the event of severe weather. 

Event Document:   Link Farm Tour Essential Eligibility Criteria