description Cahokia Monks Mound Overview
The Monks Mound stands as a significant archaeological site near present-day Collinsville, Illinois. Constructed by the Mississippian culture between approximately 900 and 950 CE, this massive earthwork is the largest pre-Columbian earthen mound in North America. It served as the central platform for Cahokia, a major urban center and demonstrates sophisticated engineering and social organization within that ancient civilization. Historians and archaeologists study it to understand Mississippian society, trade networks, and settlement patterns.
help Cahokia Monks Mound FAQ
Where is Monks Mound located?
Monks Mound is located at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville, Illinois. This site sits directly across the Mississippi River from modern-day St. Louis, Missouri. The mound is the centerpiece of what was once the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico.
How tall is Monks Mound?
Monks Mound stands roughly 100 feet tall and covers an area of about 14 acres at its base. It consists of multiple terraced levels built up over centuries. It remains the largest pre-Columbian earthwork in the Americas.
Who built Cahokia and Monks Mound?
The mound was constructed by the Mississippian culture, a highly advanced mound-building indigenous society. Construction began around 900-950 CE and continued for over a century, requiring millions of baskets of earth to be moved by hand. The massive structure likely served as a platform for a chief's temple or residence.
Why is it called Monks Mound?
The mound received its European name in the 19th century because a small group of French Trappist monks briefly lived on one of its terraces around 1809. They built a small settlement and farmed the land. Their stay was short-lived, but the name remained in local usage and was later adopted by historians.
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