Monks Mound - Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Monks Mound at the Cahokia Mounds historic site is the largest constructed mound in North America.  It is 100 foot high, and about 1000 by 800 feet near the base or 16 acres.  This mound was the focal point of the community as it included the dwelling of the chief.  A 2-mile wooden palisade encircled Monks Mound, the Grand Plaza and several other mounds, but left most of the city outside its protective barrier. A series of log steps once allowed the ancient Mississippians to ascend to the top of the mound.  The mound was named for a group of monks that once lived nearby and had a garden on the first terrace.

This is the only mound on the site where visitors are allowed to climb to the top of the four terraces.  Instead of primitive log steps, a series of 58 concrete steps leads to the first terrace and another 96 lead to the third terrace.  The second terrace was on the western side of the first terrace, but its function is not known.  The fourth terrace is a barely noticeable rise on the northern half of the third terrace.  Due to its size and complexity, the mound has not been thoroughly analyzed by archeologists.  However, they have been able to determine that the mound was built upward in several stages and that the first terrace was a late addition to the structure.  Much of the soil was deposited one basketful at a time although there are at least a couple of areas where stone was encountered during drilling.

Monks Mound from the southeast

The southern face of the first terrace and stairs to the third terrace

The path crosses the first terrace on its way to the stairs leading to the third terrace

The site of the second terrace on the southwest corner of the first terrace

Ninety-six more steps to the top

Downtown St. Louis from the top of Monks Mound

Looking south across the first terrace and the Grand Plaza

The Gateway Arch

The towers of the I-70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge

Looking west to Mound 44 and Woodhenge with an active landfill on the left horizon

A short reconstructed section of the palisade

Interstate 70 traverses the northern edge of the site

There are several interpretive signs like this one

Monks Mound from the Grand Plaza

Entrance to the historic site is free, but there is a suggested donation of $7 per adult, $5 per senior, $2 per child or $15 per family.

The historic site website is http://cahokiamounds.org/.