Module 2- "Pre-Columbian Indian Civilizations"

During the period in North America before the European’s arrival there was a rich history established by years of inhabitation by Native Americans. It is generally accepted that the native inhabitants of North America came from Asia. (Faragher, 2006, 7) With this migration came new ways of adapting and evolving. An example would be new forms in which they acquired food. Some communities hunted, fished, foraged, or gathered food. As societies became more complex farming emerged as a viable way of life for native communities.

Along the Mississippi River a society was created that became known as the Mississippian society. The capital city was a city named Cahokia. Cahokia is located just east of modern day St. Louis in the town of Cahokia, Illinois. The Cahokians exhibited characteristics of a complex society such as complex social organization, regional trade, farming, artistic traditions, and craft specialization. (Faragher, 2006, 18) It is believed that the Mississippian’s political structure engaged human sacrifice as a method of control and power.

Today there are still remnants of this lost culture in some of the mounds and structures that were created. There are dozens of earthen mounds, stockades, and a large two-tiered mound called Monks Mound. I have been blessed to have actually lived near this area for many years while I was growing up. Monks Mound is the largest man-made earthen mound in the North American continent. (Fowler, 1989, 25)


(Courtesy of the Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site, www.cahokiamounds.com)

The stockade that surrounded the central sections of Cahokia confirmed that warfare was a reality during the times of the Mississippians. The stockade was two-miles-long and was created with logs that were 20 feet tall. (Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site) It appears that this wall was a defensive structure by the usage of evenly spaced bastions, projections from which archers could shoot arrows, and the height of the wall. (Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site)


(Artwork by George Bloodsworth, www.cahokiamounds.com)

The eventual collapse of this vast society is unknown, but it is believed that the growth of numerous towns in the region and warfare played a role. Eventually Cahokia and other cities were abandoned and people relocated to “smaller, decentralized communities”. (Faragher, 2006, 19) The vast cities of the Mississippian culture may have collapsed, but remnants of the culture remained for centuries afterwards.

My intro

My name is Jeff Ignatz, I am 26, and my career is as an X-ray technologist. I have been going back to school to pursue a degree in the field of psychology. Between working full-time and school I don't have a great deal of time, but my main hobbie is photography. I like to stay active and exercise year round. My favorite active activity is snowboarding, and I look forward to winter because of that. I am taking this class as a requirement and I plan on learning something about our history through this class. Good luck to everyone and enjoy the work.