Exploring Florida Cultural Legacies

Southeastern Ceremonial Complex

The Mississippian archaeological site of Cahokia in Collinsville, Illinois, flourished between c. 600-c. 1350CE. Cahokia was largest pre-Columbian city in North America. Characteristic of the Mississippian culture, it contained a wide plaza, a residential area for the common people and another for the upper-class. There was a ball court, fields for growing corn and other crops. More than 120 mounds were constructed over a ten-year period. The mounds were used as residences, burial chambers, and religious and political purposes. At its height it contained a population of over 15,000 people.

Cahokia Aerial View
Cahokia Aerial View [artist reconstruction]

Click on each image for the title and description.

Gorget with encised decorations. 1100-1350, CE
Image courtesy of: National Museum of the American Indian
Gorget, warrior holding a severed head and maze. 1250-1350 CE.
Image courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian
Image courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian
Etowah Aerial View
Etowah Aerial View
Etowah Mounds
Falcon Dancer Copper Plate 1300-1350 CE
Image courtesy of the National Museum of Natural History Artist: Reconstruction/painting, James Di Loreto (right)
Carinated bowl (left) and Carinated bottle bottle (right) 1200-1700 CE
Image: Farther Along
Image courtesy of the National Museum of the American Indian
Image courtesy of the National Museum of Natural History
Image courtesy of the University of Arkansas Museum