The Mississippian culture dominated most of the Southeastern and much of the Midwestern parts of the United States from about A.D. 1000 to 1600. It was characterized by large villages featuring mounds around a central plaza, often surrounded by palisades. The mounds were mainly platforms for houses and temples rather than burial mounds. The society was stratified with powerful chiefs and a common religion and belief system. The economy was based on intensive maize agriculture, and trade was extensive throughout the region.
Until recently, most archaeologists believed that the Mississippian culture evolved from the earlier Woodland culture. Fresh evidence questions that interpretation, and this volume presents the results of recent fieldwork from a wide variety of sites, archival studies, and new investigations of collections. Sixteen scholars present this new evidence that provides the latest information about the emergence of the Mississippian culture. They discuss migrations, missions, pilgrimages, violent conflicts, and extensive trade that work together to develop a single unified culture over a vast area.
The center of the Mississippian world was at Cahokia, the enormous site across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. Mounting evidence indicates the culture emerged here, and then spread throughout the region driven by some kind of religious movement. As the cult spread, new centers developed that influenced others, each with some local variations. Seven of the ten essays in this volume deal with a local version of the Mississippian culture. Each example is different, but also strikingly alike, with similar architecture, pottery, iconography, economies, and religion.
The volume is a badly needed update on the latest research and perspectives on how the Mississippian culture emerged and spread. Much of this information comes from new techniques, such as remote sensing and AMS dating, and much more information is on its way. Clearly there is much more to learn about this great native culture, but Mississippian Beginnings gives us a new understanding at both the site level and the entire region.
