Mississippian American Indians
Mississippian people were Native Americans that flourished in what is now the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States from approximately 800 CE to 1600.
They are known for building large, earthen platform mounds in their settlements. The largest was Cahokia in present-day southern Illinois.
Mississippian culture is usually divided into three chronological eras: Early, Middle, and Late.
The Early Mississippian Period
This era lasted from about 800-1100 CE, though this varies based on the different regions.
During this period, the first settlements and chiefdoms developed as people transitioned from a woodland hunter-gatherer way of life.
Farming of corn and other crops allowed Mississippians to settle into larger population centers. Settlements had a plaza at the center for religious and social gatherings.
Cahokia was the largest settlement with a population between 6,000-40,000 at its peak and 120 large earthen mounds over 6 square miles. It had a strategic location near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers.
The Cahokia mounds and those in other Mississippian settlements usually had four steep sides with steps built of wooden logs on one side. It is believed they were used for public temples, a chief's house, other residences, or for ceremonies.
The people maintained trade links with communities as far away as the Great Lakes to the north and the Gulf Coast to the south, trading in such items like copper and shells.
The Middle Mississippian Period
The middle period lasted from about 1150 -1400 and is considered the peak Mississippian culture. Large and more powerful chiefdoms developed across their territory.
Cahokia expanded into a large metropolis and ceremonial complex. Similarly, Angel Mounds in modern day Indiana and Etowah Mounds, in northwest Georgia were other major urban sites.
The Mississippians had no writing system or stone architecture. However, during this period they worked with copper that was hammered into ritual objects and art pieces.
The Late Mississippian Period
The late period dates to about 1400 - 1600 and is characterized by increasing warfare, political turmoil, and population movement.
Large chiefdoms broke up into smaller ones after warfare broke out, likely over a shortage of resources due to over-farming or poor harvests.
Many Mississippians moved further south, likely precipitated by a little ice age, when temperatures dropped and winters were more severe.
The population of Cahokia dispersed early in this period, perhaps migrating to other rising political centers further south. More defensive structures are often seen at sites from this period along with less mound-building.
This period ended with the first contact with Europeans in the 16th century.