Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site was added to Your Favorites!
Collinsville, Illinois
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At its peak in the 13th century, Cahokia was the largest city in North America, with a population of up to 20,000 people, surpassing London at the time.
Monk's Mound is the largest prehistoric earthen structure in the Americas, standing at about 100 feet tall and covering 14 acres.
In 1982, Cahokia Mounds was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical significance and well-preserved archaeological features.
Cahokia features a series of large timber circles, known as Woodhenge, which were used as solar calendars by the ancient inhabitants.
Artifacts found at Cahokia indicate a vast trade network that extended from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.
The reasons for Cahokia's decline around 1350 AD remain unclear, with theories ranging from resource depletion to social upheaval.
The site spans over 2,200 acres and includes around 80 mounds, though it originally had about 120.
The Cahokia Mounds Museum Society supports the preservation and interpretation of the site through educational programs and research initiatives.
