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Collinsville, Illinois
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Monks Mound, located in Collinsville, Illinois, covers over 14 acres and rises to a height of about 100 feet, making it the largest earthen structure built by the Mississippian culture.
It's estimated that the construction of Monks Mound required over 22 million cubic feet of earth, moved by hand using baskets, over several centuries.
Monks Mound was the central feature of Cahokia, a pre-Columbian Native American city that was home to as many as 20,000 people at its peak.
The name 'Monks Mound' comes from the French Trappist monks who lived nearby in the early 19th century, long after the original builders had left.
In 1982, Monks Mound and the surrounding Cahokia Mounds were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing their historical and cultural significance.
While the exact purpose is unknown, it's believed that Monks Mound served as a ceremonial center and possibly the residence of the ruling elite.
Efforts to stabilize and restore Monks Mound began in the 20th century to prevent erosion and preserve its structure for future generations.
