Cahokia's Rattlesnake Causeway

Recent archaeological test excavations at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site located in Collinsville, IL, document the planned and early construction of a large earthen causeway. Approximately 1-km long and 18-m wide, the Rattlesnake Causeway orientated Cahokia's 5° offset grid and tied Cahokia's central precinct to at least one if not two ridge-top mortuary mounds. The results of this excavation present new information on Cahokia's city plan, one that included the construction of at least 104 earthen monuments, a large central plaza, and an extensive earthen causeway marking the midline of the site.; Recent archaeological test excavations at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site located in Collinsville, IL, document the planned and early construction of a large earthen causeway. Approximately 1-km long and 18-m wide, the Rattlesnake Causeway orientated Cahokia's 5° offset grid and tied Cahokia's central precinct to at least one if not two ridge-top mortuary mounds. The results of this excavation present new information on Cahokia's city plan, one that included the construction of at least 104 earthen monuments, a large central plaza, and an extensive earthen causeway marking the midline of the site.