Cahokia Mounds Museum Society

Visit the largest ancient Native American city in the United States.

Travel back in time to the most complex Pre Columbian society in the Americas north of Mexico.  Cahokia Mounds State Historical Site includes over one hundred earthen mounds, with the largest, Monks Mound, rivaling the largest pyramid in Egypt.  The Mississippian mound builders inhabited the site from 700-1400 AD, and at its climax, tens of thousands filled this great city and surrounding farmland.  Visitors who scale the 154 steps of Monks Mound experience the/ majesty of the ancient inhabitants and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River and the beautiful City of St. Louis.

This unique 2,200 acre historic site, located just west of Collinsville, Illinois, includes 12 miles of trails winding through the site and its many historic mounds along with an amazing Visitors Center.  Artifacts recovered from the site fill the Museum inside the Visitors Center, along with a spectacular life-sized model of a Cahokian village, including people, animals, shelters and tools, helping every visitor envision what life was like in the largest Mississippian city.

Like many ancient farmers, those in Cahokia tracked the seasons.  At Cahokia, they placed large wooden posts into circles and semicircles to track shadows throughout the year.  The largest is named “Woodhenge,” and archaeologists recreated it for visitors. Don’t miss the gift shop where visitors can find T-Shirts and souvenirs commemorating their visit, along with contemporary Native American art and jewelry.