Cahokia

Definition

Cahokia was a major pre-Columbian Native American city located near present-day St. Louis, Missouri, that thrived from approximately 600 to 1400 CE. It was one of the largest urban centers in North America before European contact, known for its complex society, extensive trade networks, and impressive earthwork mounds. The city's economic and cultural significance lay in its ability to connect various regional trade routes and utilize advanced agricultural techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cahokia peaked around 1100 CE with an estimated population of 10,000 to 20,000 residents, making it larger than many European cities of the time.
2. The site features over 120 mounds, with Cahokia Mound being the largest at around 100 feet tall and covering 14 acres.
3. The city had a sophisticated social hierarchy with elite classes that controlled resources and trade.
4. Cahokia played a crucial role in regional trade networks that connected the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, allowing for the exchange of goods like pottery, tools, and exotic materials.
5. The decline of Cahokia around 1400 CE is attributed to factors such as environmental changes, resource depletion, and social unrest.

Review Questions

• How did Cahokia's geographical location contribute to its role in trade networks during its peak?
  • Cahokia's strategic location near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers allowed it to serve as a vital hub for trade networks. This positioning enabled access to various natural resources and facilitated trade with distant regions. By connecting multiple waterways and land routes, Cahokia became a bustling center for commerce, where goods like pottery and tools were exchanged among diverse cultures.
• In what ways did technological advancements in agriculture influence the development of Cahokia's society?
  • Technological advancements in agriculture played a key role in supporting Cahokia's population growth and societal complexity. The introduction of crops like maize (corn) led to surplus production, which allowed for a more sedentary lifestyle. This agricultural stability contributed to the emergence of a hierarchical society where elites controlled resources and organized labor for mound construction and trade activities.
• Evaluate the factors that led to the decline of Cahokia and discuss how this decline reflects broader environmental and social trends of the time.
  • The decline of Cahokia around 1400 CE can be attributed to several interrelated factors, including environmental changes such as deforestation and soil depletion due to intensive agriculture. These challenges likely exacerbated resource scarcity and led to social unrest within the community. Additionally, shifting trade patterns may have reduced Cahokia's influence over regional networks. This decline mirrors broader trends of environmental stress impacting other civilizations across North America during this period.

Related terms

Mississippian Culture: A mound-building Native American culture that flourished in the southeastern United States, known for its agricultural practices, trade networks, and complex societies.

Mound Builders: Various indigenous peoples in North America who constructed large earthworks for ceremonial, residential, and burial purposes, with Cahokia being one of the most notable examples.

Trade Network: A system of interconnected trade routes and relationships among different groups or regions that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices.