Prior to European colonization, the left
bank of the Alabama River was inhabited by the Alibamu tribe of Native
Americans. The Alibamu and the Coushatta, who lived on the opposite side the
river, were descended from the Mississippian culture, which had built massive
earthwork mounds as part of their society about 950–1250 AD. They spoke
mutually intelligible Muskogean languages, which were closely related.
Present-day Montgomery is built on the site of two Alibamu towns: Ikanatchati
(Ekanchattee or Ecunchatty or Econachatee), meaning "red earth"; and
Towassa, built on a bluff called
