A 2ND-TERRACE PERSPECTIVE ON MONKS MOUND

Citation
Jm. Collins et Ml. Chalfant, A 2ND-TERRACE PERSPECTIVE ON MONKS MOUND, American antiquity, 58(2), 1993, pp. 319-332
Citations number
36
Categorie Soggetti
Archaeology,Archaeology
Journal title
ISSN journal
00027316
Volume
58
Issue
2
Year of publication
1993
Pages
319 - 332
Database
ISI
SICI code
0002-7316(1993)58:2<319:A2POMM>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
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.