Excavations at the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site have led to the discovery of unique "copper-eyed" stone effigies. These small, meticulously carved figures were located within the remains of a high-status ceremonial house that was ritually burned and rebuilt multiple times. The artifacts are believed to be central to the "Festival of the Great Fire," a tradition that honored the Caddo sun deity.
The use of native copper from the Great Lakes region for the effigies' eyes highlights the extensive trade networks and the high value placed on light-reflecting materials in Caddo ritualism. This find confirms that the mound complex was a vibrant theater for complex religious performances that connected the community to the cosmos.