Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Collinsville, Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. It is the largest archaeological site in North America, and was once the center of Mississippian culture. The mounds were built by the Cahokians, who lived here from around 600 AD to 1400 AD. There are 120 mounds at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. They range from only a few feet tall to as high as 100 ft (30 m). The biggest one is almost 1/2 mile (800 meters) wide and covers at least 17 acres (7 hectares).

The main mound at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is Monks Mound, named after the French Trappist monks who lived here in the 18th century. Monks Mound is the largest pre-Columbian earthwork in the Americas, and one of only a handful of pyramid-shaped mounds in North America. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is open every day from 8am to 5pm. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Experience and Amenities

Today, visitors can see the mounds as they would have stood at their height from 900 to 1400 AD. This site preserves a major part of North America's cultural heritage. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 for its cultural importance and impact on indigenous peoples' history and way of life.

The interpretive center offers exhibits on the Mississippian culture that created Cahokia and the mound site's archaeology. A 20-minute film, "City of the Sun," is shown in the center's theater daily. Artifacts from the site and the surrounding areas are also on display.

If you are interested in American history, archaeology, or Native American cultures, the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is well worth a visit. It is an amazing glimpse into a lost civilization and the people who built it. The site offers plenty to see and learn, and it is accessible for visitors of all ages.

Information provided by ABC Environmental Contracting Services.