ABSTRACT

The pre-Columbian culture of the Mississippi woodlands has received surprisingly little attention from historians. Studying this culture, which was in many respects highly advanced, opens an entirely new perspective on what we are used to thinking of as "American" history. This essay by a distinguished historian and teacher is aimed at world history classes and other classes that cover the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans.

part |100 pages

Native Americans Before 1492

chapter 1|13 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|12 pages

The Archaic Context from Which Moundbuilding Emerged

Circa 8000 to 1500 B.C.

chapter 3|10 pages

Poverty Point, the First Moundbuilding Epoch

Circa 1500 to 700 B.C.

chapter 4|13 pages

Adena-Hopewell, the Second Moundbuilding Epoch

Circa 500 B.C. to A.D. 400

chapter 5|22 pages

Cahokia and Other Mississippian Period Centers, the Third Moundbuilding Epoch

Circa A.D. 700 to 1731

chapter 7|17 pages

Conclusion