Land of Water, City of the Dead: Religion and Cahokia's Emergence

Cahokia, the largest city of the Mississippian mound cultures, was a dynamic, lived component of a broader ontology with roots in other mound societies. This religion was realized through novel mortuary practices and burial mounds, as well as through the careful planning and development of the urban landscape. Sarah E. Baires analyzes the organization and alignment of the precinct of downtown Cahokia with a specific focus on the Rattlesnake Causeway and the ridge-top mortuary mounds. She also presents new data from the 1954 excavations of the ridge-top mortuary Wilson Mound and a complete analysis of the associated human remains.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2022
Publisher: The University of Alabama Press

Cahokia, the largest city of the Mississippian mound cultures, situated outside present-day East St. Louis, holds a rich historical significance. Land of Water, City of the Dead offers a fresh perspective on Cahokia's emergence and expansion (circa 1050–1200), delving into the understanding of a newly envisioned religion and complexity through a non-Western lens. Sarah E. Baires posits that this belief system was a dynamic and lived component, rooted in a broader ontology, with influences from other mound societies. It was materialized through innovative mortuary practices, burial mounds, and the meticulous planning and development of Cahokia's urban landscape.

In her analysis, Baires meticulously examines the organization and alignment of Cahokia's downtown precinct, with a specific focus on the newly discovered and excavated Rattlesnake Causeway and the ridge-top mortuary mounds situated along the site axes. Land of Water, City of the Dead also presents new data from the 1954 excavations of the ridge-top mortuary Wilson Mound, along with a comprehensive analysis of the associated human remains. Through this skeletal analysis, Baires delves into the unique mortuary practices of the Cahokians, highlighting practices such as the intentional dismemberment of human bodies and burial with marine shell beads and other materials.

This groundbreaking work sheds light on the intricate tapestry of religion and culture that flourished in Cahokia, providing a deeper understanding of this remarkable ancient civilization.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780817360733