Cahokia's Mound 31: A short-term construction at a long-term site

In 1959, limited excavations at the Cahokia site by Joseph Caldwell and the Cahokia Mounds Archaeological Society resulted in the only systematic collections from Mound 31. Our analysis of the ceramic assemblage from these excavations indicates that this mound was constructed during the late Lohmann and early Stirling phases (ca. A.D. 1050-1150), a time when a great deal of mound construction was undertaken at Cahokia. The mound fell into disuse during the late Stirling phase and was then reused for a time during the Moorehead phase (ca. A.D. 1200-1275). Unraveling such patterns of intensive use, disuse, and reuse of mounds and other monumental architecture aids our understanding of the complex developmental history of the Cahokia site.