Chapter 1
The rise of a hidden metropolis
Chapter 2
Engineering with earth
Chapter 3
Daily life and cosmic games
Chapter 4
The mysterious decline and legacy
YOUR GOAL
Master of America's forgotten metropolis of Cahokia
Ch 2 · Engineering with earth
sonia Every single handful of dirt in Cahokia was carried in woven backpacks by human workers.
sonia Builders carefully layered different types of clay and sand to prevent water damage and catastrophic landslides.
BETA
sonia Stack layers of soil to discover how ancient builders engineered the massive metropolis of Cahokia.
Fun Fact
Mound count: Cahokia originally contained about 120 earthen mounds, but modern farming and road construction destroyed more than half of them.
Glossary
earthwork (noun)
A large artificial bank of soil, especially one constructed for engineering or defense. Cahokians transported millions of soil baskets to build the colossal Monks Mound earthwork near modern St. Louis.
A large artificial bank of soil, especially one constructed for engineering or defense. Cahokians transported millions of soil baskets to build the colossal Monks Mound earthwork near modern St. Louis.
Quiz
How does the footprint of Cahokia's Monks Mound compare to the Great Pyramid of Giza?
Quiz
What specific type of wood was used to construct the massive pillars of Cahokia's Woodhenge?
Quiz
What primary tool did the builders of Cahokia use to transport millions of tons of earth?
Quiz
Who is believed to have lived in the grand ceremonial building on the flat summit of Monks Mound?
Quiz
What was the primary function of the wooden circle monument known as 'Woodhenge' at Cahokia?
Quiz
How did Cahokian engineers prevent their massive earthen mounds from collapsing from rain?