Our July 2014 visit to the St. Louis area continued with a visit to the ancient Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, Illinois. Located just eight miles directly northeast or ten miles by road from the Gateway Arch, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The following paragraph is quoted from the World Heritage page of the UNESCO website:
Cahokia Mounds is the largest and earliest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. It was occupied primarily during the Mississippian period (800-1350), when it covered over 1,600 hectares (3,950 acres) and included some 120 mounds. It is the pre-eminent example of a cultural, religious, and economic center of the Mississippian cultural tradition, which extended throughout the Mississippi Valley and the south-eastern United States. This agricultural society may have had a population of 10,000-20,000 at its peak between 1050 and 1150. Cahokia is an early and exceptional example of pre-urban structuring.
About 2,200 acres and 80 mounds of the ancient city are included in the historic site. The large Interpretive Center houses an information desk, site model, shop, snack bar, auditorium, theater, numerous exhibits, administrative offices and restrooms. Ample paved parking is available adjacent to the center. An excellent fifteen minute orientation film,
Cahokia: City of the Sun, provides an overview of what is known about the Mississippian culture and speculates on what may have caused the rapid decline of the civilization.
While the overall site could use some additional signage, this is a very impressive interpretive center for such a significant site. Hopefully, additional archeological excavations will further enhance our understanding of the Mississippian culture that flourished here a millennium ago.
 |
| Interpretive Center from the parking area |
 |
| A large site model is prominently displayed near the shop and information desk |
 |
| Numerous exhibits interpret the civilization |
 |
| The culture spread from the Great Lakes to the Gulf and the Atlantic |
 |
| The city was larger than London in 1250 AD |
 |
| A model of the largest prehistoric structure in North America |
 |
| A model of Woodhenge |
 |
| Building a sweat lodge |
 |
| The rear of the Interpretive Center overlooks the Grand Plaza |
Entrance to the site is free, but a suggested donation of $7 per adult, $5 per senior, $2 per child or $15 per family.
The historical site website is
http://cahokiamounds.org/.
No comments:
Post a Comment