Out of the Textbook: A History Podcast: Recent Episodes
Abigail L
Have you ever heard of Cahokia Mounds? The lost colony of Roanoke? Guglielmo Marconi? Out of the Textbook bring you all the facts of historical events and people you didn't learn in history class. Hosted by Abigail Lindemann, allow yourself to be brought into a world where cell phones, air conditioning, and even cars didn't exist, and learn some pretty interesting facts along the way. Welcome to a new way to get interested in those long ago dates and places. This is Out of the Textbook: A History Podcast.
Cahokia Mounds National Park is located 12 miles northeast of St.Louis and sits on a land area of approximately 6 square miles. Many historians believe that this location was ideal due to the nearby Mississippi river which provided both food and transportation. At its peak in 1150 AD, Cahokia reached an estimated population of 20,000 people, which was larger than many colonized European cities at the time. The city was constructed of suburbs, plazas, and markets. Most of the people lived in small thatched huts arranged in neighborhoods. Rising over the huts were a number of mounds reserved for the homes of the elite, a visual reminder of the city’s social order. The city included 120 of these mounds, 80 of which still remain today. The largest of the mounds was placed at the city center and rises to a height of 100 feet. This was where the chief lived. Not only was the chief considered a political ruler, but was also recognized as the link between common civilians and the Gods. The driving force behind Cahokia's success were large farming plots that grew corn. With the stable food supply, the population grew. Consequently, the city’s social organization, beliefs, and technology became more complex, causing problems between the government and its people.
In addition to the farming of corn, the Mississippians traded goods throughout North and South America. Through excavations, archaeologist have discovered mica from the smoky mountains, sea shells from the coast, and copper from the North. It is no doubt that through trade, Cahokia flourished. What has been learned from excavations is displayed at the Interpretive Center which is a short walk from the largest mound on the site. Inside, displays explain the history of the city, the beliefs of its inhabitants, and speculation about daily life. Outside, visitors can view what is call the American Wood Hinge. This is a giant circle of wooden poles that acted as a solar calendar, determining plant and harvest seasons. This site was discovered in 1961, but since then, the traces of two more outer circles have been discovered, each bigger than the last and increasing by a number of 12 poles each size. But why bigger circles, and why additional poles? Unfortunately, it’s just another mystery of Cahokia.
To unravel those mysteries, archaeological work continues. Mound 72, located roughly 850 meters from Monk’s Mound is a ridge top mound and is only one of six on the site. Mound 72 was originally excavated in the early 1960’s but was recently revisited. To everyone’s surprise, Mound 72 is actually built over three smaller mounds which act like burial chambers. Additionally, the possible remains of a chieftain are laid to rest on a bed of 20,000 shell beads. Also laid in Mound 72 are more than 300 bodies, most young women. Scientist believed these Mississippians were sacrificed after the death of their chief.
Another interesting fact about Cahokia was that it was a planned community. For example, pathways connected the public areas to the neighborhoods and mounds were positioned around a central plaza. Also, Cahokia relied on social structure to maintain order and peace. However, archaeologists believe that Cahokia had no written language. This is extremely puzzling because you would think a society this advanced would maintain records or text. Because of this, it is challenging to know exactly what happened to the city and its people.
There are still many mysteries to be revealed through the layer of dirt that lay below our feet, some of which have been thoroughly examined through the work of archaeologists and the exhibits at Cahokia’s Interpretation Center. And perhaps the most forgotten of them all is why, after 150 years of a flourishing community, did Cahokia so quickly plummet in population, leaving it to the ghost it is today?
The rich lands of Missouri bordering the Mississippi river have always attracted the most ambitious of mankind. Fertile soil, diverse wildlife, and an abundance of natural resources all make this area ideal for the creation and success of a great empire. No more than a 20 minute drive from downtown St.Louis, Cahokia Mounds National Park stands as one of the greatest crowning achievements of ancient civilization. Built by people archaeologists now call Mississippians, Cahokia Mounds is one of the biggest earthen structures in North American, and at its peak, this city was home to more than 20,000 people. However, the most mysterious fact of all, is why this society so quickly plummeted in population after more than 100 years of a thriving community? Did overcrowding, lack of resources, or disease contributed to this disappearance, or was it a completely different factor that caused one of the greatest mysteries of American history?
In this podcast series, we will discuss how the city of Cahokia rose to power over the course of a few centuries, but then quickly descended into what we see today. This is the Mystery of Cahokia Mounds.