The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center protects 150 acres encompassing twelve mounds, an elite village area, and part of a support city. Spiro is Oklahoma’s only prehistoric archaeological site open to the public and one of the most important American Indian sites in the nation. The prehistoric Spiro people created a sophisticated culture that influenced the entire Southeast. Artifacts indicate an extensive trade network, a highly developed religious center, and a political system that controlled the entire region. Located on a bend of the Arkansas River, the site was a natural gateway from which the Spiro people exerted their influence. Much of the Spiro culture is still a mystery, as well as the reasons for the decline and abandonment of the site. Visitors can explore nearly two miles of interpreted trails, including a half-mile nature trail. The Center offers exhibits and a historian on site to answer questions and lead tours.