The Cahokian System

The Cahokian System refers to the complex society and urban center of Cahokia, located near modern-day St. Louis, Missouri. Flourishing from around 600 to 1400 CE, it was North America's largest pre-Columbian city, known for its large earthen mounds, extensive trade networks, and advanced social organization. Cahokia's inhabitants engaged in agriculture, particularly corn farming, and developed a rich cultural life with religious and political structures. The city's decline, attributed to factors like environmental change and social stress, offers insights into the challenges of complex societies, emphasizing the interconnectedness of culture, environment, and sustainability.