Recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site, Cahokia Mounds is located in the current day city of Collinsville, Illinois. Near the Mississippi River, this pre-history site is made of mounds scattered around an area of about Three and a half square miles of land. The park may be large, but the actual city of Cahokia in pre-history spread much further than what the park is recognized as today. Cahokia is recognized by historians as part of the Mississippian culture which groups them with other native civilizations that lived along the Mississippi River who shared architectural styles (like the mounds fount in Cahokia) as well as other attributes like maize based economics and tools …show more content…
Importantly, the Europeans never met the original Cahokia tribe. As National Geographic states, “by 1350—a span of only three centuries—Cahokia was gone” (Romey par 1). Nevertheless, the French in particular have large amounts in relation to Monks Mound or Mound 38. When the French started colonizing in the 17th Century, they lay their claim to the Mississippi River valley. The French were well aware of the Cahokia Mounds at the time, which isn’t a surprise because the actual area of Cahokia carried all the way to the Mississippi River. The name of Monks Mound comes from, “the French Trappist monks who lived on a nearby mound from 1809-1813, and farmed the terraces of the large mound” (Cahokia Mounds Museum Society par 8). Unfortunately, the relation between the Europeans (including the French) and the Natives who resided in the Cahokia area were seemingly hostile. Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto was said that, “[he] attempted to plant the flag of Castile and Aragon to show conquest, however in reality, DeSoto was probably captured and burnt alive and then thrown into the Mississippi River by the Cahokia Tribesmen” (Barrows par 56). Like many other tribes that lived in the Americas, ultimately disease was the demise for the Natives. The French brought diseases like smallpox and so a large killing of Natives ensued around the area and drastically lowered the …show more content…
When I visited again I gained much more fascination from the site. The area of Collinsville that the site lies in has not much more than a few fast food restaurants and some gas stations. I first arrived at Monk’s Mound and was amazed by the sheer size of the man-made structure. I assumed the mound had eroded over knowing that the mound was so old which would make it even taller during the time it was erected. When I climbed to the top, I could see the metropolitan area of St. Louis Missouri. Being on top of the mound gave the feeling of governing a civilization. I could see many of the other mounds and the people walking to and from the parking lot to make the same journey that I did to be on top of Monk’s Mound. I expected the area surrounding the site to look better than it did. As the mock chief that I was for fifteen minutes, I did not know how to feel about an automotive repair shop at the base of my mound. This simply shows how close the local community today has come to live hand in hand with a World Heritage
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.
Cahokia is an ancient city established around c. 700-1500. It was a city built along the entire Mississippi River. It was a major city with 20,000-30,000 people and was a major trade center. It had a social structure set up by royalty, a Theocracy. Mesa Verde on the other hand was inhabited by the Anasazi in c.1100-1300. It was built mostly under cliffs and housed thousands. They were both similar in the time periods they inhabited and both had over thousands of people. Both planted corn but the Anasazi planted the three sister crops together while the people of Cahokia main crop was corn. Both societies had taken notice of the ancient supernova of 1054. This let scientist know that both civilization inhabited around such period. Also, showed
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)
Evidence of almost 100 of the stones has revealed without the need to excavate the site, due to remote sensing, ground-penetrating radar and geographical imaging technologies. These advancements in science and technology allow researchers to discover the historical monuments full extent. Fragments of bones, stones and the foundation pits in which they were situated have all been uncovered during excavations and technological mapping indicating the true size and importance the site was to the Neolithic
The Cahokia Indians were settled near modern-day St. Louis, Missouri close to the Mississippi River. Some archaeologist believe that the Cahokia once had 20,000 Natives and over 100 mounds in their village. The reason they believe in these outstanding growth in people was the land around them. Situated with land with great
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.
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.
Of all the features upon the earth there are some ascribed with special significance. These features, whether caves, lakes, deserts, outcroppings, or something else entirely, hold tremendous relevance for the groups that dwell near them. Such beliefs in the worth and importance of such sites are entrusted from one passing generation to the next. These beliefs, and the physical objects they rest upon, become increasingly vital to that group’s identity as a people. One such group is the Teton Lakota of the Sioux Nation in South Dakota, an area that has been home to them for hundreds of years and, while their entire homeland is precious to them, of particular importance are the Black Hills, or Paha Sapa as they are called in Lakota.
As one can see, the earthworks of the Ohio and Mississippi valley are critical in the understanding the past. They provide great clues about the migration of the Ancient people of this land. It is still not understood how the Western World was settled and under great debate. Any clues that are available should be used and the mounds are a great source. Native
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.
Starting in AD 800 and hitting its peak from 1050- 1200 AD, Cahokia covered six square miles with a population between 10,000 and 20,000 people (Jarus 1). During their 500 years, the Cahokians developed America’s first city and arguably the greatest civilization of its time, and then seemingly disappeared without a trace. But, despite Cahokia’s disappearance, a significant amount of history was left behind through earthen mounds, evolved social structures, advanced cultural practices, and Cahokia’s unexplained demise.
•Cahokia – Cahokia is the area where an ancient city was created during older times.
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.
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.