Cahokia: The Mississippian Culture

Flashcards covering major concepts related to the Cahokia civilization and the Mississippian cultures.

Cahokia

The largest and most important ancient American city north of Mexico.

Mississippian cultures

Ancient Native American civilizations that existed from 800 to 1600 AD in the American Midwest and Southeast.

Monks Mound

The largest earthen monument in North America, part of Cahokia.

Earth and mounds

Massive earth structures used for ceremonial and residential purposes in Mississippian cities.

Urban planning

The organization of land use in a city, including arrangements of buildings and public spaces.

Little Ice Age

A period of cooler temperatures that impacted agriculture and living conditions in North America.

Geophysical surveys

Research methods used to study subsurface features of ancient sites without disturbing the ground.

Woodhenge

A circular arrangement of wooden posts at Cahokia, possibly used for astronomical observations.

Trade, worship, and governance

Key functions of Cahokia that indicate its role as a central hub in the Mississippian culture.

Osage Nation

A Native American tribe that traces its heritage back to the Mississippian cultures and Cahokia.