During our late September roadtrip to relocate from Chicago to Phoenix, we made a quick stop at Cahokia Mounds. This is a place I had in my bucket list long time ago since it presents the remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico. Within its 2,200-acre tract, located a few miles west of Collinsville, Illinois and nearby St. Louis, Missouri, lie the archaeological remnants of the central section of an ancient settlement that is today known as Cahokia.
Cahokia was the largest and most influential urban settlement of the Mississippian culture, which developed advanced societies across much of what is now the central and southeastern United States, beginning more than 1,000 years before European contact. Nowadays, the Cahokia Mounds are considered to be the largest and most complex archeological site north of the great pre-Columbian cities in Mexico.
Cahokia Mounds is a National Historic Landmark and a designated site for state protection. It is also one of the 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the United States. The largest prehistoric earthen construction in the Americas north of Mexico, the site is open to the public. This 14-minute video, which is presented at Cahokia’s Visitor Center, illustrates the history of the place including what is known and unknown about it. This other site also presents its Trail Map, Site History and other information.
These are some photos and videos we took there. Its Visitor’s Center contains several expositions and information organized in a structured and engaging manner. It is definitely worth a one-day visit to learn more about this stage of humankind in North America.
Marco Serrato 
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