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Cahokia Mounds
Cahokia Mounds, located in the massive Mississippi River floodplain of southwestern Illinois, is the site of the largest and most complex pre-Columbian archaeological settlement north of Mexico. At its massive peak around 1200 CE, this Mississippian culture city was a highly organized urban center supporting an estimated population of up to 20,000 people, a massive scale not surpassed in the United States until Philadelphia in the 1780s. The defining characteristic of Cahokia is its massive, engineered earthen mounds, the largest being Monks Mound, a colossal, multi-tiered platform that served as the political and religious epicenter of the society. The site indicates a massive, highly stratified society with extensive, continent-wide trade networks. History K7 — Mississippian culture and ancient urbanism.
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A postcard from Cahokia Mounds
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- Highlights: Mound 94 · Stockade · Mound 59
- Nearby: St. Louis (13 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 63 | 64 | 93 | 121 | 130 | 107 | 101 | 93 | 80 | 94 | 86 | 74 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- Monks Mound is the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, covering a massive 14 acres at its base.
- The entire Cahokia site originally contained over 120 massive earthen mounds, with roughly 80 remaining today.
- At its peak, Cahokia's population was massively larger than the contemporary population of London, England.
- The society constructed 'Woodhenge', a massive circular timber monument used for sophisticated astronomical observations.
- Cahokia was a massive hub for trade, exchanging goods ranging from Great Lakes copper to Gulf Coast shells.
- The massive city was largely abandoned by 1350 CE for reasons still heavily debated by modern archaeologists.
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Notable places around
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Sights in the town Cahokia Mounds (11)
Cahokia Mounds Interpretive Center🏛 museum
Interpretive center with exhibits on the Mississippian culture in the Mounds area.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What are the Cahokia Mounds?
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Cahokia Mounds: where is it located?
Cahokia Mounds: what is there to see?
Cahokia Mounds: when is the best time to visit?
Cahokia Mounds: why is it worth visiting?
