HUMA 1770 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cahokia, Lost City, Monks Mound
20 Nov 2017
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Document Summary
The city of cahokia which is located near modern day st. louis in the state of illinois, it was a major religious, cultural and trade center for the mississippian civilization. Settlement into the region was attractive because of fertile soil, ideal climate for agriculture, abundance of natural resources and easy navigation by rivers. The economy of cahokia was mainly based on corn; which they traded for other goods such as shells and mill creek chert. Along with the invention of the flint hoe, paired with an optimal climate, this allowed for a surplus of crops to be harvested. Therefore, the cahokians were then able to focus their efforts on building projects such as monk"s mound, along with other earthen mounds and tool making which further facilitated the growth and expansion of the city. The extensive development of the city allowed it to become a center for religious ceremonies, trade and cultural practises.
