Crowd gathers at historical park to view eclipse

PINSON, Tenn. — A solar eclipse viewing was held at Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park today, April 8.

The eclipse was at 98% totality and vendors were present selling shaved ice to beat the heat.

According to employees, Pinson has been used to observe celestial events for quite some time.

Certain mound markers line up with solar events like the equinox and solstice sunrises.

Another mound marker lines up with where the moon rises.

Park Ranger Dedra Ekberg shares more.

“The reason why we’re doing it here and having the event here at Pinson is because this is an ancient observatory. People were looking at the sky, here, over two thousand years ago.” said Ekberg.

Pinson Mounds State Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary so there are multiple events coming up.

The main event will be the Archaeofest which is set for the third weekend in September.

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