The Monks Mound, located near Madison County, IL, is the largest single Native American construction in North America. Situated in Cahokia, Ill., it’s fundamental to understanding how Mississippian peoples created mounds and landscapes-which were otherwise unknown before their time period came into being with this groundbreaking discovery.

Researchers have long speculated that Monks Mound is either the oldest or longest-lived monument at Cahokia. However, using a Bayesian computer model that incorporates both archaeological information and radiocarbon dates, suggests that this sacred site was built more than two centuries ago.

Take a walk through the heart of Cahokia, and you’ll find yourself at Monks Mound. This impressive earthen construction may have been home to as many as 15,000 people during its peak era around 1050–1100 A.D.

Situated in Collinsville, IL, 62234, United States, Monks Mound is an awe-inspiring 100-foot-tall earth and flat-topped clay pyramid that was constructed without the use of wheels, metal tools, or beasts. It took 14 stages to build this ancient structure, which may have taken 250 years.

In 2005, researchers began to collapse the slopes of Monks Mound and collected 22 soil samples from an exposed interior face. The sediments used for making this ancient structure were studied in order to determine how long it had remained uninterrupted since its creation-all indicators point towards periods where seeds would have been present but not anymore due to the type or kinds being analyzed, showing that these parts haven’t seen much activity over time either.

Monks Mound is a large, layered earthwork in Illinois. The original purpose of this structure remains uncertain; some scientists think it may have been used as an ancient temple, while others believe these mounds were usually only seeds that had been charred by fire. They date back much further than any other type found on site, which suggests constant reuse over time periods ranging from decades to millions of years ago.

The excavation and analysis of Monks Mound have provided a wealth of information about this ancient Native American site. Investigations into its chronology, used by people in prehistory as well as recent soil coring that clarifies their geological context, can be seen today at the top of what remains stands tall: an impressive stone monument built for worship or possibly defense, with layers upon layers stacked atop one another, creating levels like steps going up towards heaven itself.

O’Fallon Historical Society Museum
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