Twin Mounds
TWIN MOUNDSWhile Monk’s Mound overlooks the Grand Plaza at theCahokia site, the Twin Mounds are located just behind the plaza in an area adjacent to the Interpretive Center. They are fine examples of conical mounds built throughout the mound building regions of North America. Much smaller than Monk’s Mound, conical mounds were sometime used as burial sites. There were also ridge-topped mounds that had a rectangular base and effigy mounds built in the shape of animals or reptiles. Notable effigy mounds can be found in the Ohio River Valley, Serpent Mound, and in northeastern Iowa where Effigy Mound National Park is located. The Mississippians built about 120 earthen mounds in the area between St. Louis, MO. and East St. Louis, IL. About 65 of these mounds are preserved within the boundaries of the Cahokia historic site. |
