Cahokia

Definition

Cahokia was a major pre-Columbian Native American city located near modern-day St. Louis, Missouri, known for its sophisticated urban planning and monumental earthworks. It flourished between 600 and 1400 CE and is often considered one of the most significant centers of Mississippian culture, showcasing advanced agricultural practices, trade networks, and social hierarchies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. At its peak, Cahokia had an estimated population of around 20,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in the world at that time.
2. Cahokia is famous for its massive earthen mounds, the largest being Monks Mound, which stands about 100 feet tall and covers over 14 acres.
3. The city was strategically located near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers, facilitating trade and communication with other cultures.
4. Cahokia's society was organized with a hierarchical structure, including leaders or chiefs known as 'great sun' who held significant power over the population.
5. The decline of Cahokia is believed to have been caused by a combination of environmental changes, resource depletion, and social upheaval around 1400 CE.

Review Questions

• How did Cahokia's urban planning reflect the social and political organization of its inhabitants?
  • Cahokia's urban planning showcased its advanced social structure and political organization through the layout of its monumental earthworks and plazas. The presence of large earthen mounds indicated a hierarchical society led by powerful chiefs who directed labor for these projects. The city’s design facilitated communal activities in public spaces, such as plazas, which were central to social interactions, ceremonies, and trade, reflecting the complex relationships within Cahokia's population.
• Discuss the significance of trade networks in Cahokia's development as a major center of Mississippian culture.
  • Trade networks were crucial for Cahokia's rise as a major center of Mississippian culture, connecting it to distant regions across North America. The city's strategic location at the confluence of major rivers allowed it to serve as a hub for exchanging goods such as shellfish, copper, and agricultural products. These interactions not only supported economic prosperity but also facilitated cultural exchanges that enriched Cahokia’s society, including art, religion, and technology.
• Evaluate the factors that led to the decline of Cahokia and how this decline reflects broader trends in pre-Columbian North American societies.
  • The decline of Cahokia was influenced by various interconnected factors such as environmental changes that affected agriculture, resource depletion due to overpopulation, and social unrest among its inhabitants. This decline mirrors broader trends observed in pre-Columbian North American societies where environmental pressures often led to societal stress. As Cahokia waned around 1400 CE, it reflected a shift in regional dynamics that saw other cultures emerging or adapting in response to changing conditions, illustrating the complex interplay between environment and societal development.

Related terms

Mississippian Culture:

A prehistoric Native American culture that developed along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, characterized by large, complex societies and the construction of earthen mounds.

Mound Builders: A term used to describe various Native American cultures in North America that constructed various types of earthworks, including burial mounds and ceremonial platforms.

Plaza: An open public space in Cahokia that served as a center for social gatherings, ceremonies, and trade, highlighting the city's role in community life.