Cahokia, Illinois

Transcription

SINCE THE GLACIERS RECEDED, THE RICH LANDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY HAVE ALWAYS RICH LANDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY HAVE ALWAYS ATTRACTED MANKIND. RIVER VALLEY HAVE ALWAYS ATTRACTED MANKIND. HERE ARE CULTURE GREW AND ATTRACTED MANKIND. HERE ARE CULTURE GREW AND EVOLVED, EACH BORROWING FROM THE HERE ARE CULTURE GREW AND EVOLVED, EACH BORROWING FROM THE PREVIOUS, EVENTUALLY CULMINATING EVOLVED, EACH BORROWING FROM THE PREVIOUS, EVENTUALLY CULMINATING IN A NEW CIVILIZATION, PREVIOUS, EVENTUALLY CULMINATING IN A NEW CIVILIZATION, ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE NAMED IN A NEW CIVILIZATION, ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE NAMED MISSISSIPPIAN. ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE NAMED MISSISSIPPIAN. >> HELLO. MISSISSIPPIAN. >> HELLO. I AM JIM WILHELM. >> HELLO. I AM JIM WILHELM. THIS IS THE CENTER OF WHAT WAS I AM JIM WILHELM. THIS IS THE CENTER OF WHAT WAS ONCE THE LARGEST CITY IN NORTH THIS IS THE CENTER OF WHAT WAS ONCE THE LARGEST CITY IN NORTH AMERICA. ONCE THE LARGEST CITY IN NORTH AMERICA. TODAY WE KNOW IT AS CAHOKIA AMERICA. TODAY WE KNOW IT AS CAHOKIA SOMETIMES CALLED CITY OF THE SUN TODAY WE KNOW IT AS CAHOKIA SOMETIMES CALLED CITY OF THE SUN IT MIGHT ALSO BE CALLED THE PEN SOMETIMES CALLED CITY OF THE SUN IT MIGHT ALSO BE CALLED THE PEN KEL OF THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE LOCATED AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THREE RIVERS, WHOSE WATERS PROVIDED BY BOTH AND THREE RIVERS, WHOSE WATERS PROVIDED BY BOTH AND TRANSPORTATION, CAHOKIA REACHED PROVIDED BY BOTH AND TRANSPORTATION, CAHOKIA REACHED AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF TRANSPORTATION, CAHOKIA REACHED AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 20,000 PEOPLE BY 1150AD WHICH AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 20,000 PEOPLE BY 1150AD WHICH WAS THE LARGER THAN LONDON AT 20,000 PEOPLE BY 1150AD WHICH WAS THE LARGER THAN LONDON AT THE TIME. IT WAS A CITY COMPLETE WITH SUBURBS, PLAZAS, AND MARKETS. NOW KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE WERE SUBURBS, PLAZAS, AND MARKETS. NOW KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE WERE MANY PERMANENT MISSISSIPPIAN NOW KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE WERE MANY PERMANENT MISSISSIPPIAN SETTLEMENTS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT MANY PERMANENT MISSISSIPPIAN SETTLEMENTS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. SETTLEMENTS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA. BUT THIS WAS BY FAR THE LARGEST NORTH AMERICA. BUT THIS WAS BY FAR THE LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL. BUT THIS WAS BY FAR THE LARGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL. MOST OF THE POPULATION LIVED IN AND MOST INFLUENTIAL. MOST OF THE POPULATION LIVED IN SMALL THATCHED HUTS ARRANGED IN MOST OF THE POPULATION LIVED IN SMALL THATCHED HUTS ARRANGED IN FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS. SMALL THATCHED HUTS ARRANGED IN FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS. RISING OVER THE HUTS WERE A FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS. RISING OVER THE HUTS WERE A NUMBER OF MOUNDS SOME USED AS RISING OVER THE HUTS WERE A NUMBER OF MOUNDS SOME USED AS PLATFORMS FOR THE HOMES OF THE NUMBER OF MOUNDS SOME USED AS PLATFORMS FOR THE HOMES OF THE ELITE, A VISUAL REMINDER OF THE PLATFORMS FOR THE HOMES OF THE ELITE, A VISUAL REMINDER OF THE CITY'S SOCIAL ORDER. THE CITY INCLUDED 120 MOUNDS OF WHICH 80 REMAIN TODAY. THAT WAS THE LARGEST AND WHICH 80 REMAIN TODAY. THAT WAS THE LARGEST AND GRANDEST OF THEM ALL. THAT WAS THE LARGEST AND GRANDEST OF THEM ALL. IT WAS A CITY'S CENTER IN MORE GRANDEST OF THEM ALL. IT WAS A CITY'S CENTER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. THERE, LIVED THE IT WAS A CITY'S CENTER IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. THERE, LIVED THE CHIEFTAIN WHO WAS BOTH THE RULER WAYS THAN ONE. THERE, LIVED THE CHIEFTAIN WHO WAS BOTH THE RULER AND SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE CHIEFTAIN WHO WAS BOTH THE RULER AND SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE POPULATION. IT COVERS MORE THAN 14 ACRES AND RISES IN FOUR TERRACES TO A HEIGHT OF A HUNDRED FEET MAKING RISES IN FOUR TERRACES TO A HEIGHT OF A HUNDRED FEET MAKING IT THE LARGEST PREHISTORIC HEIGHT OF A HUNDRED FEET MAKING IT THE LARGEST PREHISTORIC EARTHEN STRUCTURE IN THE WESTERN IT THE LARGEST PREHISTORIC EARTHEN STRUCTURE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. EARTHEN STRUCTURE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. CORE SAMPLES INDICATE THAT HEMISPHERE. CORE SAMPLES INDICATE THAT VARYING TEXTURES OF SOIL WERE CORE SAMPLES INDICATE THAT VARYING TEXTURES OF SOIL WERE USED TO ASSURE PROPER DRAINAGE. VARYING TEXTURES OF SOIL WERE USED TO ASSURE PROPER DRAINAGE. JUST IMAGINE FOR HUNDREDS OF USED TO ASSURE PROPER DRAINAGE. JUST IMAGINE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS GENERATIONS CARRIED JUST IMAGINE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS GENERATIONS CARRIED BASKETS OF DIRT FROM HUGE BORROW YEARS GENERATIONS CARRIED BASKETS OF DIRT FROM HUGE BORROW PITS TO MAKE IT THIS MOUND. BASKETS OF DIRT FROM HUGE BORROW PITS TO MAKE IT THIS MOUND. THE WORK BEGAN BEFORE THE PITS TO MAKE IT THIS MOUND. THE WORK BEGAN BEFORE THE VIKINGS DISCOVERED THE NEW WORLD THE WORK BEGAN BEFORE THE VIKINGS DISCOVERED THE NEW WORLD AND WAS FINISHED JUST AFTER THE VIKINGS DISCOVERED THE NEW WORLD AND WAS FINISHED JUST AFTER THE SECOND CRUSADES. LOOKING AT THE MOUNDS AND ARTIST REPUBLICAN DIRKS IT IS EASY TO MAKE COMPARISONS TO SIMILAR REPUBLICAN DIRKS IT IS EASY TO MAKE COMPARISONS TO SIMILAR STRUCTURES IN MEXICO, BUT THERE MAKE COMPARISONS TO SIMILAR STRUCTURES IN MEXICO, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE STRUCTURES IN MEXICO, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE EVER HAD IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE EVER HAD CONTACT WITH PEOPLE THAT FAR MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE EVER HAD CONTACT WITH PEOPLE THAT FAR SOUTH. TODAY VIS IT TORS CAN DO WHAT WAS UNIMAGINABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF CAHOKIA. WAS UNIMAGINABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF CAHOKIA. TODAY, ORDINARY PEOPLE CAN COME OF CAHOKIA. TODAY, ORDINARY PEOPLE CAN COME UP THOSE RECENTLY REFURBISHED TODAY, ORDINARY PEOPLE CAN COME UP THOSE RECENTLY REFURBISHED STAIRS AND ENJOY THE VIEW THAT UP THOSE RECENTLY REFURBISHED STAIRS AND ENJOY THE VIEW THAT WAS ONCE AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE STAIRS AND ENJOY THE VIEW THAT WAS ONCE AVAILABLE ONLY TO THE HIGHEST OF THE ELITE. WE ARE AT THE TOP OF THE LARGEST MOUND FROM WHICH THE CHIEFTAIN COULD SURVEY HIS CITY. MOUND FROM WHICH THE CHIEFTAIN COULD SURVEY HIS CITY. BUT HE WAS MORE THAN A POLITICAL COULD SURVEY HIS CITY. BUT HE WAS MORE THAN A POLITICAL RULER. BUT HE WAS MORE THAN A POLITICAL RULER. HE WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS THE RULER. HE WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS THE BROTHER OF THE SUN. HE WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS THE BROTHER OF THE SUN. ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE DETERMINED BROTHER OF THE SUN. ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT A LARGE BUILDING ONCE STOOD ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT A LARGE BUILDING ONCE STOOD HERE. THAT A LARGE BUILDING ONCE STOOD HERE. IT WAS A PLACE WHERE RELIGIOUS HERE. IT WAS A PLACE WHERE RELIGIOUS RITES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES IT WAS A PLACE WHERE RELIGIOUS RITES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE OCCURRED. RITES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE OCCURRED. NOBODY IS REALLY SURE BECAUSE WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE OCCURRED. NOBODY IS REALLY SURE BECAUSE THIS WAS A PREHISTORIC SOCIETY. NOBODY IS REALLY SURE BECAUSE THIS WAS A PREHISTORIC SOCIETY. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY HAD NO THIS WAS A PREHISTORIC SOCIETY. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY HAD NO WRITTEN LANGUAGE. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY HAD NO WRITTEN LANGUAGE. BUT THE REAL DRIVING FORCE WRITTEN LANGUAGE. BUT THE REAL DRIVING FORCE BEHIND CAHOKIA'S SUCCESS WAS NOT BUT THE REAL DRIVING FORCE BEHIND CAHOKIA'S SUCCESS WAS NOT ITS RULING CLASS, BUT THIS, CORN BEHIND CAHOKIA'S SUCCESS WAS NOT ITS RULING CLASS, BUT THIS, CORN SOMEHOW THE MISSISSIPPIAN ITS RULING CLASS, BUT THIS, CORN SOMEHOW THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE HAD DEVELOPED A SOMEHOW THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE HAD DEVELOPED A KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO RAISE THIS CULTURE HAD DEVELOPED A KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO RAISE THIS PROLIFIC CROP IN LARGE FIELDS. KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO RAISE THIS PROLIFIC CROP IN LARGE FIELDS. WITH THE STABLE FOOD SUPPLY, THE PROLIFIC CROP IN LARGE FIELDS. WITH THE STABLE FOOD SUPPLY, THE POPULATION GREW. WITH THE STABLE FOOD SUPPLY, THE POPULATION GREW. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CITY POPULATION GREW. CONSEQUENTLY, THE CITY ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR BELIEFS AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE CITY ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR BELIEFS AND TECHNOLOGY BECAME MORE COMPLEX. ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR BELIEFS AND TECHNOLOGY BECAME MORE COMPLEX. IN ADDITION, THE EXTRA FOOD TECHNOLOGY BECAME MORE COMPLEX. IN ADDITION, THE EXTRA FOOD COULD BE USED AS TRADE WITHIN IN ADDITION, THE EXTRA FOOD COULD BE USED AS TRADE WITHIN THE CITY OR WITH OTHER COULD BE USED AS TRADE WITHIN THE CITY OR WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES. THE CITY OR WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES. FOR EXAMPLE, DURING EXCAVATIONS, COMMUNITIES. FOR EXAMPLE, DURING EXCAVATIONS, ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED MICA FOR EXAMPLE, DURING EXCAVATIONS, ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED MICA FROM THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, SEA ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED MICA FROM THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, SEA SHELLS FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO, FROM THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, SEA SHELLS FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND COPPER FROM THE NORTH. SHELLS FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND COPPER FROM THE NORTH. FROM THESE MATERIALS, ARTISTS AND COPPER FROM THE NORTH. FROM THESE MATERIALS, ARTISTS WOULD CREATE DECORATIVE PIECES FROM THESE MATERIALS, ARTISTS WOULD CREATE DECORATIVE PIECES AND JEWELRY TO SELL IN THE CITY. WOULD CREATE DECORATIVE PIECES AND JEWELRY TO SELL IN THE CITY. WHAT ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE LEARNED AND JEWELRY TO SELL IN THE CITY. WHAT ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THESE PEOPLE IS EXPLAINED WHAT ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THESE PEOPLE IS EXPLAINED HERE AT THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER. ABOUT THESE PEOPLE IS EXPLAINED HERE AT THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER. INSIDE, DISPLAYS EXPLORE THE HERE AT THE INTERPRETIVE CENTER. INSIDE, DISPLAYS EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE CITY, THE BELIEFS INSIDE, DISPLAYS EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF THE CITY, THE BELIEFS OF ITS INHABITANTS, AND HISTORY OF THE CITY, THE BELIEFS OF ITS INHABITANTS, AND SPECULATION ABOUT DAILY LIFE. OF ITS INHABITANTS, AND SPECULATION ABOUT DAILY LIFE. THE MOST COMMON STRUCTURE IN THE SPECULATION ABOUT DAILY LIFE. THE MOST COMMON STRUCTURE IN THE VILLAGE WAS A SMALL THATCHED THE MOST COMMON STRUCTURE IN THE VILLAGE WAS A SMALL THATCHED ROOF HUT WHERE ONE FAMILY LIVED. VILLAGE WAS A SMALL THATCHED ROOF HUT WHERE ONE FAMILY LIVED. FAMILY TIES WERE VERY IMPORTANT, ROOF HUT WHERE ONE FAMILY LIVED. FAMILY TIES WERE VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT IS THOUGHT THAT SEVERAL FAMILY TIES WERE VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT IS THOUGHT THAT SEVERAL GENERATIONS WOULD CLUSTER AND IT IS THOUGHT THAT SEVERAL GENERATIONS WOULD CLUSTER TOGETHER FORMING SMALL GENERATIONS WOULD CLUSTER TOGETHER FORMING SMALL SELF-SUFFICIENT NEIGHBORHOODS. TOGETHER FORMING SMALL SELF-SUFFICIENT NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY HAD THEIR OWN FACILITIES SELF-SUFFICIENT NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY HAD THEIR OWN FACILITIES LIKE SWEAT LODGES TO CLEANSE THEY HAD THEIR OWN FACILITIES LIKE SWEAT LODGES TO CLEANSE BODY AND MIND, PLUS ELEVATED LIKE SWEAT LODGES TO CLEANSE BODY AND MIND, PLUS ELEVATED GRANARIES. BODY AND MIND, PLUS ELEVATED GRANARIES. THE POLES WERE COATED TO PREVENT GRANARIES. THE POLES WERE COATED TO PREVENT INSECTS FROM ENTERING, AND THE THE POLES WERE COATED TO PREVENT INSECTS FROM ENTERING, AND THE SIDES WERE SEALED WITH A MIXTURE INSECTS FROM ENTERING, AND THE SIDES WERE SEALED WITH A MIXTURE OF GRASS AND CLAY. SIDES WERE SEALED WITH A MIXTURE OF GRASS AND CLAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM AN IDYLLIC OF GRASS AND CLAY. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM AN IDYLLIC LIFE. BUT IT WAS FAR FROM AN IDYLLIC LIFE. IN REALITY, THE POPULATION LIFE. IN REALITY, THE POPULATION WORKED TO SUPPORT THE ELITE IN REALITY, THE POPULATION WORKED TO SUPPORT THE ELITE CLASS. WORKED TO SUPPORT THE ELITE CLASS. COMMONERS WOULD SPEND THEIR CLASS. COMMONERS WOULD SPEND THEIR LIVES IN FIELDS OR BURROW PITS COMMONERS WOULD SPEND THEIR LIVES IN FIELDS OR BURROW PITS WHILE THE FRUITS OF THE LABOR LIVES IN FIELDS OR BURROW PITS WHILE THE FRUITS OF THE LABOR WERE ENJOYED BY THE HIERARCHY. IN 1961 WHILE EXCAVATING A SITE FOR PROPOSED NEW HIGHWAY, ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED WHAT FOR PROPOSED NEW HIGHWAY, ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED WHAT HAS SINCE BEEN CALLED THE ARCHEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED WHAT HAS SINCE BEEN CALLED THE AMERICAN WOOD HINGE. HAS SINCE BEEN CALLED THE AMERICAN WOOD HINGE. SET IN A GIANT CIRCLE WERE 48 AMERICAN WOOD HINGE. SET IN A GIANT CIRCLE WERE 48 TREATED CEDAR POLES, A SOLAR SET IN A GIANT CIRCLE WERE 48 TREATED CEDAR POLES, A SOLAR CALENDAR USED TO CHART THE TREATED CEDAR POLES, A SOLAR CALENDAR USED TO CHART THE SEASONS AND TO DETERMINE THE CALENDAR USED TO CHART THE SEASONS AND TO DETERMINE THE PLANTING AND HARVEST TIMES. SEASONS AND TO DETERMINE THE PLANTING AND HARVEST TIMES. IN FACT, AT THE BEGINNING OF PLANTING AND HARVEST TIMES. IN FACT, AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH NEW SEASON, THE RISING SUN IN FACT, AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH NEW SEASON, THE RISING SUN LINED UP WITH A SPECIFIC POLE. EACH NEW SEASON, THE RISING SUN LINED UP WITH A SPECIFIC POLE. THE CALENDAR WAS ALIGNED SO LINED UP WITH A SPECIFIC POLE. THE CALENDAR WAS ALIGNED SO DURING THE ALL IMPORTANT SPRING THE CALENDAR WAS ALIGNED SO DURING THE ALL IMPORTANT SPRING AND FALL EQUINOX, THE SUN WOULD DURING THE ALL IMPORTANT SPRING AND FALL EQUINOX, THE SUN WOULD APEER TO RISE DIRECTLY OVER THE AND FALL EQUINOX, THE SUN WOULD APEER TO RISE DIRECTLY OVER THE CHIEFTAIN'S MOUND OF. APEER TO RISE DIRECTLY OVER THE CHIEFTAIN'S MOUND OF. THIS WAS QUITE FITTING, SINCE AS CHIEFTAIN'S MOUND OF. THIS WAS QUITE FITTING, SINCE AS YOU WILL RECALL, HE WAS KNOWN AS THIS WAS QUITE FITTING, SINCE AS YOU WILL RECALL, HE WAS KNOWN AS THE BROTHER OF THE SUN. YOU WILL RECALL, HE WAS KNOWN AS THE BROTHER OF THE SUN. EVENTUALLY IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BROTHER OF THE SUN. EVENTUALLY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OVER TIME, THERE HAD BEEN EVENTUALLY IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OVER TIME, THERE HAD BEEN FIVE SUCH CIRCLES, EACH LARGER THAT OVER TIME, THERE HAD BEEN FIVE SUCH CIRCLES, EACH LARGER THAN THE PREVIOUS. FIVE SUCH CIRCLES, EACH LARGER THAN THE PREVIOUS. EACH TIME, THE NUMBER OF POLES THAN THE PREVIOUS. EACH TIME, THE NUMBER OF POLES INCREASED BY TWELVE. EACH TIME, THE NUMBER OF POLES INCREASED BY TWELVE. WHY TWELVE AND WHY INCREASE THE INCREASED BY TWELVE. WHY TWELVE AND WHY INCREASE THE SIZE? WHY TWELVE AND WHY INCREASE THE SIZE? IT IS JUST ANOTHER MYSTERY OF SIZE? IT IS JUST ANOTHER MYSTERY OF CAHOKIA. IT IS JUST ANOTHER MYSTERY OF CAHOKIA. >> TO UNRAVEL THOSE MYSTERIES, ARCHEOLOGICAL WORK CONTINUES. THIS IS MOUND 72, ONE OF ONLY ARCHEOLOGICAL WORK CONTINUES. THIS IS MOUND 72, ONE OF ONLY SIX OF THIS TYPE OF MOUND HERE THIS IS MOUND 72, ONE OF ONLY SIX OF THIS TYPE OF MOUND HERE AT CAHOKIA. SIX OF THIS TYPE OF MOUND HERE AT CAHOKIA. IT IS CALLED A RIDGE TOP MOUND. AT CAHOKIA. IT IS CALLED A RIDGE TOP MOUND. IT WAS ORIGINALLY EXCAVATED IN IT IS CALLED A RIDGE TOP MOUND. IT WAS ORIGINALLY EXCAVATED IN THE EARLY 60'S, BUT RECENTLY IT IT WAS ORIGINALLY EXCAVATED IN THE EARLY 60'S, BUT RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN REVISITED. THE EARLY 60'S, BUT RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN REVISITED. TO EVERY ONE'S AMAZEMENT, MOUND HAS BEEN REVISITED. TO EVERY ONE'S AMAZEMENT, MOUND 72 ACTUALLY COVERED THREE TO EVERY ONE'S AMAZEMENT, MOUND 72 ACTUALLY COVERED THREE SMALLER BURIAL MOUNDS. 72 ACTUALLY COVERED THREE SMALLER BURIAL MOUNDS. AND INSIDE ONE OF THOSE WAS SMALLER BURIAL MOUNDS. AND INSIDE ONE OF THOSE WAS FOUND REMAINS OF A POSSIBLE AND INSIDE ONE OF THOSE WAS FOUND REMAINS OF A POSSIBLE CHIEFTAIN, LAID TO REST ON A BED FOUND REMAINS OF A POSSIBLE CHIEFTAIN, LAID TO REST ON A BED OF 20,000 SHELL BEADS, PLUS THE CHIEFTAIN, LAID TO REST ON A BED OF 20,000 SHELL BEADS, PLUS THE REMAINS OF SIX OF HIS RETAINERS. OF 20,000 SHELL BEADS, PLUS THE REMAINS OF SIX OF HIS RETAINERS. IN ANOTHER SECTION ARE THE REMAINS OF SIX OF HIS RETAINERS. IN ANOTHER SECTION ARE THE REMAINS OF 300 PEOPLE MORE THAN IN ANOTHER SECTION ARE THE REMAINS OF 300 PEOPLE MORE THAN HALF OF WHICH WERE YOUNG WOMEN REMAINS OF 300 PEOPLE MORE THAN HALF OF WHICH WERE YOUNG WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN SACRIFICED. HALF OF WHICH WERE YOUNG WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN SACRIFICED. INTERESTINGLY, SOME OF THE WHO HAD BEEN SACRIFICED. INTERESTINGLY, SOME OF THE BODIES WERE FOUND NOT IN THE INTERESTINGLY, SOME OF THE BODIES WERE FOUND NOT IN THE MOUND, BUT UNDER THE MOUND USING BODIES WERE FOUND NOT IN THE MOUND, BUT UNDER THE MOUND USING THE MOUND ITSELF AS A GRAVE MOUND, BUT UNDER THE MOUND USING THE MOUND ITSELF AS A GRAVE MARKER. THE MOUND ITSELF AS A GRAVE MARKER. NOW, KEEP IN MIND WHEN VISITING, MARKER. NOW, KEEP IN MIND WHEN VISITING, NOT ALL THE MOUNDS HERE WERE NOW, KEEP IN MIND WHEN VISITING, NOT ALL THE MOUNDS HERE WERE USED FOR BURIALS. NOT ALL THE MOUNDS HERE WERE USED FOR BURIALS. MOST WERE USED AS PLATFORMS TO USED FOR BURIALS. MOST WERE USED AS PLATFORMS TO RAISE BUILDINGS. MOST WERE USED AS PLATFORMS TO RAISE BUILDINGS. THIS TYPE OF BURIAL WAS ONLY FOR RAISE BUILDINGS. THIS TYPE OF BURIAL WAS ONLY FOR THE ELITE. THIS TYPE OF BURIAL WAS ONLY FOR THE ELITE. COMMON FOLKS WERE BURIED IN THE THE ELITE. COMMON FOLKS WERE BURIED IN THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE CITY. COMMON FOLKS WERE BURIED IN THE GROUND OUTSIDE THE CITY. ANOTHER INTERESTING ASPECTS OF GROUND OUTSIDE THE CITY. ANOTHER INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THIS CITY IS THAT IT WAS A ANOTHER INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THIS CITY IS THAT IT WAS A PLANNED COMMUNITY. THIS CITY IS THAT IT WAS A PLANNED COMMUNITY. PATHWAYS CONNECTED THE PUBLIC PLANNED COMMUNITY. PATHWAYS CONNECTED THE PUBLIC AREAS TO NEIGHBORHOODS. PATHWAYS CONNECTED THE PUBLIC AREAS TO NEIGHBORHOODS. THE MOUNDS WERE BUILT AROUND THE AREAS TO NEIGHBORHOODS. THE MOUNDS WERE BUILT AROUND THE CENTRAL PLAZA WHERE GAMES WERE THE MOUNDS WERE BUILT AROUND THE CENTRAL PLAZA WHERE GAMES WERE PLAYED WITH MUCH BETTING. WELCOME BACK TO CAHOKIA WHERE IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE HEIGHT OF ITS POPULATION OCCURRED AT ABOUT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE HEIGHT OF ITS POPULATION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1150AD AT 20,000 PEOPLE. ITS POPULATION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1150AD AT 20,000 PEOPLE. YET, 150 YEARS LATER, THIS SITE 1150AD AT 20,000 PEOPLE. YET, 150 YEARS LATER, THIS SITE LAY ABANDONED. YET, 150 YEARS LATER, THIS SITE LAY ABANDONED. WHY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST LAY ABANDONED. WHY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MYSTERIES OF THIS CITY. WHY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MYSTERIES OF THIS CITY. ALSO AT THE TIME OF CAHOKIA'S MYSTERIES OF THIS CITY. ALSO AT THE TIME OF CAHOKIA'S HEIGHT, A STOCKADE WAS QUICKLY ALSO AT THE TIME OF CAHOKIA'S HEIGHT, A STOCKADE WAS QUICKLY ERECTED AROUND THE CENTRAL AREA HEIGHT, A STOCKADE WAS QUICKLY ERECTED AROUND THE CENTRAL AREA PROTECTING THE MAJOR RELIGIOUS ERECTED AROUND THE CENTRAL AREA PROTECTING THE MAJOR RELIGIOUS CENTER ALONG WITH SOME OF THE PROTECTING THE MAJOR RELIGIOUS CENTER ALONG WITH SOME OF THE HOMES OF THE HIGHEST OFFICIALS. CENTER ALONG WITH SOME OF THE HOMES OF THE HIGHEST OFFICIALS. WAS THERE WORRY OVER RIOTS OR HOMES OF THE HIGHEST OFFICIALS. WAS THERE WORRY OVER RIOTS OR DISPUTES OVER FOOD DI TRIS WAS THERE WORRY OVER RIOTS OR DISPUTES OVER FOOD DI TRIS BUTIONS OR THREATS FROM AN DISPUTES OVER FOOD DI TRIS BUTIONS OR THREATS FROM AN ENEMY? BUTIONS OR THREATS FROM AN ENEMY? >> WITHOUT A WRITTEN LANGUAGE, ENEMY? >> WITHOUT A WRITTEN LANGUAGE, IT IS HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT >> WITHOUT A WRITTEN LANGUAGE, IT IS HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. IT IS HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. BUT IT IS THOUGHT THAT A HAPPENED. BUT IT IS THOUGHT THAT A COMBINATION OF THINGS BROUGHT BUT IT IS THOUGHT THAT A COMBINATION OF THINGS BROUGHT ABOUT THE DEMISE OF CAHOKIA. COMBINATION OF THINGS BROUGHT ABOUT THE DEMISE OF CAHOKIA. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CLIMATE WAS ABOUT THE DEMISE OF CAHOKIA. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CLIMATE WAS CHANGING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CLIMATE WAS CHANGING. THE GROWING SEASON WAS BECOMING CHANGING. THE GROWING SEASON WAS BECOMING SHORTER. EXCAVATION SHOW OVER DEPENDENCY ON CORN IN THE DIET LED TO POOR NUTRITION. ON CORN IN THE DIET LED TO POOR NUTRITION. FOR MILES AROUND, ALL THE TREES NUTRITION. FOR MILES AROUND, ALL THE TREES HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR FUEL AND FOR MILES AROUND, ALL THE TREES HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR FUEL AND BUILDING MATERIALS DRIVING THE HAD BEEN REMOVED FOR FUEL AND BUILDING MATERIALS DRIVING THE WILDLIFE AWAY AND ALLOWING SILT BUILDING MATERIALS DRIVING THE WILDLIFE AWAY AND ALLOWING SILT TO CLOSE STREAMS. WILDLIFE AWAY AND ALLOWING SILT TO CLOSE STREAMS. PLUS, IT WAS A DENSELY POPULATED TO CLOSE STREAMS. PLUS, IT WAS A DENSELY POPULATED AREA, PERHAPS AS MANY AS 4,000 PLUS, IT WAS A DENSELY POPULATED AREA, PERHAPS AS MANY AS 4,000 PEOPLE PER SQUARE MIASM IMAGINE AREA, PERHAPS AS MANY AS 4,000 PEOPLE PER SQUARE MIASM IMAGINE ALL THE WASTE THAT WOULD HAVE PEOPLE PER SQUARE MIASM IMAGINE ALL THE WASTE THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED. ALL THE WASTE THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED. PLUS, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. PLUS, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN COMPETITION FOR AVAILABLE LIVING PLUS, THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN COMPETITION FOR AVAILABLE LIVING SPACE. COMPETITION FOR AVAILABLE LIVING SPACE. ALL OF THESE THINGS TOGETHER SPACE. ALL OF THESE THINGS TOGETHER COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ALL OF THESE THINGS TOGETHER COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEMISE OF CAHOKIA. COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEMISE OF CAHOKIA. TODAY THE PATHS OF CAHOKIA ARE DEMISE OF CAHOKIA. TODAY THE PATHS OF CAHOKIA ARE STILL IN USE, BUT NOW BY CURIOUS TODAY THE PATHS OF CAHOKIA ARE STILL IN USE, BUT NOW BY CURIOUS VISITORS WHO WANDER AMONG THE STILL IN USE, BUT NOW BY CURIOUS VISITORS WHO WANDER AMONG THE REMAINS OF THIS ONCE AFFLUENT VISITORS WHO WANDER AMONG THE REMAINS OF THIS ONCE AFFLUENT CITY. REMAINS OF THIS ONCE AFFLUENT CITY. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY PLACE IN CITY. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY PLACE IN ILLINOIS THAT HAS BEEN THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY PLACE IN ILLINOIS THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE ILLINOIS THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE BY THE UNITED NATIONS. DESIGNATED A WORLD HERITAGE SITE BY THE UNITED NATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BY THE UNITED NATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAHOKIA CALL (618)346-5160, FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CAHOKIA CALL (618)346-5160, INTERPLEA TIVE CENTER.