Mounds sites of the ancient South : a guide to the Mississippian chiefdoms

From approximately AD 900 to 1600, ancient Mississippian culture dominated today’s southeastern United States. These Native American societies, known more popularly as moundbuilders, had populations that numbered in the thousands, produced vast surpluses of food, engaged in longdistance trading, and were ruled by powerful leaders who raised large armies. Mississippian chiefdoms built fortified towns with massive earthen structures used as astrological monuments and burial grounds. The remnants of these cities—scattered throughout the Southeast from Florida north to Wisconsin and as far west as Texas—are still visible and awe-inspiring today. This heavily illustrated guide brings these settlements to life with maps, artists’ reconstructions, photos of artifacts, and historic and modern photos of sites, connecting our archaeological knowledge with what is visible when visiting the sites today. Anthropologist Eric E. Bowne discusses specific structures at each location and highlights noteworthy museums, artifacts, and cultural features. He also provides an introduction to Mississippian culture, offering background on subsistence and settlement practices, political and social organization, warfare, and belief systems that will help readers better understand these complex and remarkable places. Sites include Cahokia, Moundville, Etowah, and many more. A Friends Fund Publication From Approximately Ad 900 To 1600, Ancient Mississippian Culture Dominated Today's Southeastern United States. These Native American Societies, Known More Popularly As Moundbuilders, Had Populations That Numbered In The Thousands, Produced Vast Surpluses Of Food, Engaged In Long-distance Trading, And Were Ruled By Powerful Leaders Who Raised Large Armies. The Remnants Of Mississippian Cities - Scattered Throughout The Southeast From Florida North To Wisconsin And As Far West As Texas - Are Still Visible And Awe Inspiring Today. The Guide Includes, An Introduction To Mississippian Culture, Including Information On Subsistence And Settlement Practices, Political And Social Organization, Warfare, And Belief Systems, Descriptions Of Twenty-two Sites Including Cahokia, Moundville, And Etowah, Discussions Of Specific Structures At Each Location And Highlights Of Noteworthy Museums, Artifacts, And Cultural Features, 92 Color Photos, 23 Black-and-white Photos, And 20 Maps. Foreword / Charles Hudson -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Mississippian Sites And Museums -- Chapter 1. The Ancient South -- Chapter 2. The Mississippian World -- Chapter 3. The Emergent And Early Mississippian Period, Ad 800-1200 -- Chapter 4. The Middle Mississippian Period, Ad 1200-1400 -- Chapter 5. The Late Mississippian Period, Ad 1400-1600 -- Chapter 6. The Decline Of The Mississippian World -- Glossary -- Selected Bibliography -- Index. Eric E. Bowne. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 229-240) And Index. Cover Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Mississippian Sites and Museums CHAPTER ONE: The Ancient South CHAPTER TWO: The Mississippian World CHAPTER THREE: The Emergent and Early Mississippian Period, AD 800–1200 CHAPTER FOUR: The Middle Mississippian Period, AD 1200–1400 CHAPTER FIVE: The Late Mississippian Period, AD 1400–1600 CHAPTER SIX: The Decline of the Mississippian World Glossary A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S W Y Selected Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y