Monks Mound is a premier example of monumental architecture occupying
the center of Cahokia, the largest prehistoric Indian site north of Me
xico. A massive slump on the so-called ''second terrace'' of the mound
prompted geoarchaeological testing resulting in new data concerning t
he age and function of this enigmatic structure. These data support th
eory suggesting that construction of monumental architecture is most l
ikely to occur early in the development of complex societies, in this
case the Cahokia polity. If is concluded that Monks Mound was a purpos
eful political tool for the manipulation of mass psychology.