Cahokia Bounds

The Enlightened Archaeologist – an article authored by Jeffrey Hantman and Gary Dunham chronicles Thomas Jefferson’s investigation of the Indian burial mound located on the South Fork of the Rivanna River in the 18th century. The site excavated by Jefferson, however, is no longer visible, most likely due to dissipation by inevitable natural occurrences (I.E. excessive rainfall, flooding rivers, etc.) or human activity such as farming. The “Father of American Archaeology” correctly predicts the latter in his book, Notes on the State of Virginia, in which he states, mounds “…put under cultivation are much reduced in their height, and spread in width, by the plough, and will probably disappear in time” (1787). Fortunately for Archaeologists of the late 20th century (1988) an Indian burial mound identical to that of the one Jefferson described in his book was uncovered just 14 miles from the South Fork of the Rivanna River.

Located in present day Collinsville, Illinois is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, which was once home to the largest city north of Mexico from 700 to 1400 A.D. Settled by the Mississippian people, today their decline remains a mystery. First visited in 1811 by traveler Henry Brackenridge and considered the “discoverer of Cahokia” only in the sense that he wrote several papers and articles about the findings to the public’s attention. After walking around the mounds, Brackenridge described that the locations of the last inhabitants were clearly visible to him, as were fragments of their tools and utensils. Many extensive archeological excavations and several case study theories have come about through the years as to why this magnificent ancient metropolis faced such demise.

Imagine an ancient civilization in 1050 near the Mississippi Valley in modern-day Illinois. This civilization is called the Cahokian civilization, which conquered North America and made many accomplishments. The Cahokian civilization soon came to an end because of unknown casualties. The Cahokia started in 100 BCE in the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, during which time they grew tobacco and corn. They later devised and established small villages along Cahokia Creek, near modern-day St. Louis.

The Cahokia Mounds is the largest mountain in north america. The Cahokia mountain have very good resources. That provided good water for the human and animal that live their. It had different types of habitats that allow humans to live their over time. The human migrated about 12,000 years ago in that area. This humans that live their over time start to growing crops like sunflowers, corn, and other plants. The human hunted fish and other wild animals for food. Their biggest success for the Cahokia people was agriculture, because they could grow enough food for their people. That is why the Cahokia mounds became more populated overtime. The Cahokia people could trapped the crops with other tribes for tools, clothes, food, and other things that

There is something historic going on here.” Salopek talks about Oylum, a man-made hill in southeastern

Courthouse, and the State Supreme Court” (Brunius 16). Many people, including scholars, historians, archaeologists and members of the African-American community consider the African Burial Ground Project “the nation’s most significant archaeological find of the century” (Brunius 16). Usually GSA is able to handle their responsibilities with federal properties, but they are not doing a good job with this project. Unfortunately, the GSA has significantly mishandled the African Burial Ground Project. As the overseers of this project, the GSA is responsible for the project’s insufficient funds and the under-skilled archaeological team who damaged many artifacts. The multitude of information that the African Burial Ground holds presents a priceless opportunity to learn about the lives and conditions of slaves living in the North, and it is therefore time to fully fund this project.

The George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is a 26 acre historical park in the Midwest Regional Office located in Vincennes Indiana. Over the weekend of August 29th, 2015 my family and I visited the George Rogers Clark Museum. My wife and I actually live very close to Vincennes Indiana, as it is only a 25 minute drive and we frequently visit Vincennes for shopping and dining. While we do visit this town about once a month, I do admit that I have never been or paid a lot of attention to the memorial. The memorial itself is quite interesting to look at from afar as you drive past it, but you can’t really appreciate what it has to offer unless you take the time and visit the site in person and really admire its history.

Cahokia is arguably one of the most influential cities in its time. Although there is little known about Cahokia, aspects of their culture (like games, artifacts, and religious aspects) can be found throughout the Americas. If so much of the area had not been bulldozed before being excavated, we may have known more about the area. Cahokia had such an impact during its time, traces of Cahokia can be found in other communities such as the Osage, Pawnee, and many more.

Read excerpt # 3 The Anasazi: Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde and excerpt # 4 The Mississippians: Cahokia and Moundville (pp.29-33) by following the link Pre-Columbian America (Learner.org). Type responses to the following questions on Google Doc and save.

As Indian groups started to settle in the Mississippi floodplain, their cultures and political systems began to intertwine, creating a complex sociopolitical structure (Page, 70). The largest polity to arise out of this area, known as the American Bottom, was Cahokia. At its height, it resembled a city, extending over five square miles, mounds and structures that towered over smaller dwellings, and a population, that some believe to have been the largest, north of Mexico, for its time (Page, 70). Estimates predict several thousand lived at the site of Cahokia, many of them elites, whose particular talents or skills, earned them the privileged title (Pauketat). Beyond its boundaries were smaller groups and

Dating to 1000 B.C., the Kolomoki complex near present-day Blakely is one of the best-known sites of these ancient civilizations. During the Mississippian Period (A.D. 800-1600), at least sixteen significant settlements dotted the Chattahoochee's banks south of the fall line. As these civilizations died because of exposure to European diseases, native survivors from other areas moved into the river valley below present-day Atlanta. (Lynn Willoughby)

Stone mountain has remained a very influential monument of Georgia; a gem of what may say to the state’s tourism and a landmark of American history throughout the ages. Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee , and Jefferson Davis on top of their valuable steeds represent the Confederate nation and its tie with Stone mountain as they are carved meticulously in the world’s largest exposed granite; however, the peaceful serenity of the lake and nature that envelops the mountain and its visitors remained a very important ceremonial location for native americans. The complete history of Stone Mountain is interwoven into the treads of historical events that have occurred throughout and even before the great nation , United States of America, was formed. Currently, it’s one of the most famous attractions in Georgia known for the breathtaking view of metropolitan Atlanta at the peak of the mountain. It is clear as rich as the beauty of stone mountain is,undeniably, it has a strong historical importance to American history and exquisite backround.

•Cahokia – Cahokia is the area where an ancient city was created during older times.

Pech Merle cave in south-western France has been a sacred sanctuary for at least five times as long as the Great Pyramid of Egypt. Unlike the pyramid the entire cave was man made, for the most part, the innards of the cave were made out of limestone massif by an underground river. When the river switched up its the course a four kilometer long cave was left behind. It stayed untouched and no human ever visited, until humans finally

I found myself five miles outside of Zion National Park in Utah early last summer. Pure energy coursed through my veins at 5:30am to hit the trail as I shook my dad awake. I fantasized of sitting on the top of the landing and looking down at the valley distant and peaceful below. The knife’s edge ridge stands nearly 1,500 feet above the valley, only accessible via miles of trail and dozens of switchbacks. Sandstone rock crawls up both sides and suddenly creates a narrow top, to which only the bravest travellers to this Mormon “place of peace” may tread.