A 2ND-TERRACE PERSPECTIVE ON MONKS MOUND

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.