Not so long ago – around 900 AD – one of the largest, most sophisticated societies lived in southern Illinois. They had complex political and religious systems. They were many in number. And just like that, they disappeared. So what happened? Clues to the story can be found at the place they once lived: Cahokia Mounds.

Much like our towns are now, the people of Cahokia lived in homes lined up with thatched roofs--they were very much about their community.
Steve Moses/Flickr
They were also very much about faith, which is why they built Monks Mound--a large mound that is entirely man made from millions of buckets of dirt.
emilydickinsonridesabomx/Flickr
Things were going great for Cahokia--they were dominating the region and getting along well.
Wally Slowik Jr/Flickr
But then suddenly, they all disappeared. Many theories have been put forth.
Daniel X O'Neil/Flickr

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Some people think that things weren't as rosy we think, and that political disagreement led this once tight-knit group to disband.
Daniel X O'Neil/Flickr
Others blame the decline of Cahokia on weather and climate changes that were unfavorable.
emilydickinsonridesabomx/Flickr
There is evidence that they moved north--up to Wisconsin--which is where some of their pottery has been discovered by researchers.
emilydickinsonridesabomx/Flickr
We might not ever know conclusively why Cahokia was no more, but we do have a good idea of how they lived.
David Wilson/Flickr
Visit Cahokia Mounds and get a great sense of what it was like to live in Cahokia.
Steve Moses/FLickr

Have you been here before? What did you think? Here are more things to do along the Mississippi River.

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