Crystalhound: October 2025

Windows into North America's First City

Listen to the audio instead if you prefer.

Click Here.

This report provides a multi-faceted analysis of two projectile points reportedly found in the vicinity of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in southwestern Illinois. These artifacts are not merely "arrowheads" but are diagnostic lithics that serve as primary source documents, offering profound insights into the technological, economic, social, and religious life of North America's first and largest pre-Columbian city. The global significance of Cahokia is recognized through its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a U.S. National Historic Landmark, a metropolis that, at its zenith around 1100 CE, rivaled and even surpassed contemporary European cities like London in population and complexity. This context is essential for understanding that any artifact from this site is a fragment of a larger, globally significant human story.

The objectives of this assessment are threefold: to provide a professional identification of the points based on established archaeological typologies; to place them within their rich historical and cultural context; and to offer a nuanced assessment of their value—archaeological, cultural, and monetary—within a strict legal and ethical framework. The analysis will proceed from the macro-level context of the Mississippian world to the micro-level examination of the specific attributes of the two points, concluding with guidance on their responsible stewardship.

Part I: The World of Cahokia and the Mississippian Culture (c. 800 – 1400 CE)

To comprehend the meaning and value of these projectile points, one must first understand the world that created them. They are products of a dynamic and sophisticated cultural tradition that reshaped the landscape of eastern North America for centuries.

1.1 The Mississippian Cultural Horizon

The term "Mississippian culture" refers to a widespread and diverse collection of Native American societies that flourished throughout the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States from approximately 800 to 1600 CE. This cultural period is typically divided by archaeologists into Early (c. 1000–1200 CE), Middle (c. 1200–1400 CE), and Late (c. 1400–1540 CE) phases, a chronology that helps in dating specific sites and artifact styles.

Mississippian societies were distinguished from their Late Woodland predecessors by a suite of transformative traits. The most fundamental of these was the adoption of intensive, large-scale agriculture centered on maize (corn), often supplemented with beans and squash—the "three sisters". This reliable and high-yield food source created agricultural surpluses, which in turn fueled a cascade of societal changes. It allowed for larger, denser, and more permanent settlements (sedentism), supported rapid population growth, and enabled the rise of craft specialization, as not everyone needed to be directly involved in food production.

This new economic foundation supported a more complex social structure known as the chiefdom, a form of ranked society where power was concentrated in the hands of an elite class of rulers and priests. This social hierarchy is most visibly expressed in the Mississippian tradition of constructing large, earthen platform mounds. These truncated pyramids, usually arranged around a central plaza, served as the foundations for temples, elite residences, and other important public buildings, physically elevating the ruling class above the common populace. Other defining characteristics of the Mississippian culture include the widespread use of crushed riverine or marine shell as a tempering agent in pottery, and the establishment of vast and intricate trade networks that connected communities across the continent.

1.2 The Rise of a Metropolis: Cahokia

Nowhere were these Mississippian traits more fully realized than at Cahokia. Situated in the exceptionally fertile floodplain of the Mississippi River known as the American Bottom, the site was strategically located near the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers, providing access to diverse resources and extensive transportation corridors. While the area had been occupied since the Late Archaic period, mound building began with the emergent Mississippian culture around the 9th century CE.

Around 1050 CE, Cahokia experienced what archaeologists call the "Big Bang"—a sudden and dramatic transformation. In the span of just a few decades, the population exploded from perhaps a few thousand to an estimated 10,000–20,000 people within the city's core, making it the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. If the surrounding satellite communities are included, the population of "Greater Cahokia" may have approached 40,000–50,000, a figure not surpassed by any city in the territory of the present-day United States until the 1780s.

This population boom was accompanied by a massive campaign of public works and urban planning. The city's inhabitants expertly leveled and filled the naturally undulating terrain to create a highly planned urban landscape covering over 4,000 acres. The city's core was dominated by Monks Mound, a colossal four-terraced platform mound that remains the largest prehistoric earthen structure in the Americas. Covering six hectares at its base and rising 30 meters high, it was the ceremonial and political heart of the city, surmounted by a massive building believed to be the residence of the paramount chief. Monks Mound overlooked the Grand Plaza, a 50-acre public space used for ceremonies, ritual games like chunkey, and large gatherings. The central precinct of the city was enclosed by a formidable 2-mile-long defensive palisade, rebuilt several times, with regularly spaced bastions. The Cahokians also constructed a sophisticated astronomical observatory known as "Woodhenge," a large circle of wooden posts that marked the solstices and equinoxes, demonstrating their advanced knowledge of celestial movements.

1.3 Society, Belief, and Economy

Cahokian society was a complex chiefdom, sharply divided between a small, powerful elite and a large population of commoners. The elites, likely a hereditary line of priest-rulers, directed the construction of mounds, controlled trade, and presided over religious ceremonies. They lived in larger houses, often atop mounds, wore special clothing and ornaments, and were afforded special treatment in life and death. The commoners were the farmers, builders, and artisans who supported the city through their labor.

A unifying belief system, known to archaeologists as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (SECC), connected Cahokia to other Mississippian centers across the southeast. This complex iconography, preserved on finely crafted artifacts of shell, copper, stone, and pottery, featured recurring motifs such as a falcon-like "Birdman" figure, weeping or forked eyes, spiders, and supernatural serpents. These symbols represented core cosmological concepts and were powerful tools for expressing religious doctrine and reinforcing the sacred authority of the ruling class.

The city's power was built not only on agriculture and ideology but also on its position at the heart of a continental trade network. Raw materials and finished goods flowed into Cahokia from incredible distances. Copper was imported from the Great Lakes region, hundreds of miles to the north; large marine whelk shells, used for making ritual cups and gorgets, traveled from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast; mica was brought from the Carolinas; and high-quality stone for tools and ceremonial objects was procured from quarries throughout the Midwest, including southern Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas.

The highly organized urban plan, with its cosmological alignments, and its role as the epicenter for the SECC, has led scholars to conclude that Cahokia was more than just a political or economic capital; it functioned as a sacred "pilgrimage city". The "Big Bang" around 1050 CE was likely not a random migration but a religiously motivated coalescence of diverse peoples drawn to a new, powerful spiritual movement centered at Cahokia. This reframes the city as an ideological center whose gravitational pull was immense, drawing in both people and the exotic goods that would have served as offerings and symbols of devotion.

Part II: Lithic Analysis and Identification of the Projectile Points

This section provides a technical analysis of the projectile points, focusing on their classification within established archaeological typologies, the identification of their raw material, and the techniques used in their manufacture. This analysis is foundational to understanding their function and value.

2.1 The Cahokia Point: A Typological Framework

The projectile points characteristic of the Mississippian period at Cahokia belong to a specific typological cluster known as the "Cahokia Point." These are true arrow points, designed for use with the bow and arrow, a technology that had become the dominant weapon system in the region by this time.

General characteristics define the Cahokia type: they are typically small to medium in size, thin, and skillfully made with a flattened cross-section. The overall shape is triangular, and the most common feature is the presence of one or more pairs of side notches used for hafting the point to an arrow shaft. Archaeologists Edward G. Scully and Gregory Perino were instrumental in formalizing the classification of these points, identifying several distinct sub-types based on variations in notching and blade treatment. These sub-types are not only descriptive but also have chronological significance, allowing archaeologists to date different periods of occupation at a site.

The primary sub-types include:

* Cahokia Double-Notch: The most common variety, characterized by a single pair of parallel side notches placed relatively high on the blade.

* Cahokia Triple-Notch: This type features the standard pair of side notches plus a third, smaller notch at the center of the base.

* Cahokia Multiple-Notch: An elaboration of the triple-notched form, this type has more than three notches, with additional notches sometimes appearing on the lateral basal edges or along the blade.

* Cahokia Serrated: In this variation, the blade edges, which are typically straight, are finely and regularly serrated, like the teeth of a saw.

* Un-notched Variants: While rare, some triangular points from Cahokia lack side notches altogether. These are morphologically similar to the later and more widespread Madison point, which is thought to have replaced the Cahokia type.

There is a temporal pattern to these variations. The more complexly notched forms—the Triple-Notch and Multiple-Notch—are generally considered to be older. They are associated with the Lohmann and Stirling phases, or what is broadly termed the "Old Village" period at Cahokia (c. 1000–1200 CE). The Double-Notch, Serrated, and Un-notched variations are typically later, belonging to the Moorehead and Sand Prairie phases, or the "Trappist" period (c. 1200–1350 CE). This chronological distinction allows a well-identified point to serve as a "horizon marker," providing a probable date range for the context in which it was found.

<br>

Table 1: Diagnostic Attributes of Cahokia Point Sub-Types

|---|---|---|---|

Data compiled from Perino (1968) and Justice (1987) as cited in and.

<br>

2.2 Material Sourcing: The Language of Stone

The choice of raw material for a stone tool was a critical decision for a Mississippian artisan. The vast majority of chipped stone tools at Cahokia were made from chert, a microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline variety of quartz often referred to colloquially as "flint". Cahokian knappers demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of their geological landscape, selecting specific types of chert based on their physical properties, availability, and intended use. This reveals a clear pattern of resource management tailored to both functional needs and symbolic expression.

The most common lithic materials used for projectile points at Cahokia include:

* Burlington Chert: This was the most frequently used high-quality material for making Cahokia points. Typically white, cream, or gray in color, Burlington chert is a fine-grained stone that flakes predictably, making it ideal for producing the thin, delicate arrow points. It was available from local sources in the St. Louis area, most notably the Crescent Quarries in Missouri, making it a readily accessible resource for Cahokian artisans.

* Kaolin Chert: This visually stunning material was reserved for the highest quality artifacts. Sourced from quarries in Union County, southern Illinois, Kaolin chert is famous for its vibrant, often translucent colors, including reds, oranges, and yellows. Its rarity and striking appearance meant it was not used for everyday tools but was instead the material of choice for the exceptionally well-made "gempoints" found in high-status ceremonial contexts, particularly the elite burials in Mound 72. The use of this material was a clear indicator of an object's special, non-utilitarian function.

* Mill Creek Chert: Also from southern Illinois, Mill Creek chert is a tough, coarse-grained stone that is typically brown or gray. It naturally occurs in large, flat, tabular nodules, which made it the perfect material for manufacturing large, durable agricultural implements like hoes and spades. An entire industry was based around the quarrying of Mill Creek chert and the production of these hoes, which were then traded widely across the Mississippian world and are found in great numbers at Cahokia. However, due to its coarse texture, it was not the preferred material for small, finely-worked arrow points.

* Exotic Materials: Archaeological excavations, especially in Mound 72, have revealed Cahokia points made from a variety of non-local materials that testify to the city's long-distance connections. These include Dover chert from Tennessee and Pitkin chert, which is associated with Caddoan Mississippian sites in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Points have also been found made of silicified sandstone and, very rarely, from bone or antler. It is important to note that obsidian, a volcanic glass, is exceedingly rare in Mississippian contexts. While obsidian from sources as distant as Yellowstone, Wyoming, was traded into the Midwest, it is almost exclusively associated with the earlier Middle Woodland (Hopewell) culture (c. 200 BCE–500 CE). Modern reproductions of "Cahokia points" are sometimes made of obsidian, but authentic Mississippian examples are virtually nonexistent, with only one piece of Mesoamerican obsidian having ever been found at a related Caddoan site.

2.3 The Knapper's Craft: Manufacturing and Modification

The creation of a Cahokia point required considerable skill in the art of flintknapping. The points were manufactured using a technique called pressure flaking. After an initial blank was shaped by percussion (striking with a hammerstone), the artisan would use a pointed tool made of antler or bone to apply focused pressure to the edge of the stone, pressing off small, thin, regular flakes. This technique allowed for a high degree of control, resulting in the characteristically thin, symmetrical, and sharp projectile points.

To further improve the workability of the stone, Cahokian knappers often employed heat treatment. This process involved carefully and slowly heating the chert to a specific temperature, which would alter its crystalline structure, making it less brittle and easier to flake. Heat treatment often leaves visible signatures on the stone, such as a change in color (often intensifying red or pink hues) or an increase in luster, giving the surface a waxy or glossy appearance. The presence of heat-treated Burlington chert in ceremonial caches, for example, indicates an additional investment of time, knowledge, and labor in the manufacturing process, further distinguishing these objects from more expediently made utilitarian tools.

The selection of specific high-quality materials and the investment of advanced manufacturing techniques like pressure flaking and heat treatment demonstrate a clear hierarchy of production. The material itself carried meaning. The decision to craft the most elaborate points in Mound 72 from translucent, colorful Kaolin chert was not merely a practical choice but a deeply symbolic one. The visual properties of the stone—its color and the way it interacted with light—likely held cosmological or spiritual significance. This aesthetic quality, combined with the difficulty of procuring the material and the high level of skill required to work it, imbued the final objects with immense social and religious power. The stone's beauty was not incidental; it was an integral part of its function as a symbol of status, power, and the sacred.

Part III: Function and Meaning: From Daily Use to Ritual Theater

The physical characteristics of the arrowheads provide clues to their potential uses, but only by examining their archaeological context can their full range of functions—from the profane to the sacred—be understood. The evidence from Cahokia reveals a stark distinction between points made for everyday tasks and those created for the highest realms of ritual and ceremony.

3.1 Weapons of the Hunt and Warfare

On a fundamental level, Cahokia points were highly effective utilitarian tools. The Mississippian diet relied heavily on the hunting of game such as white-tailed deer, turkey, and other small animals, which supplemented their agricultural crops. The small, sharp, triangular design of these arrow points was well-suited for use with the bow and arrow, providing excellent penetration of animal hide and causing lethal wounds. The sharp edges and fine serrations found on some variants would have increased their cutting effectiveness significantly.

These points were also weapons of war. The Late Mississippian period (after c. 1400 CE) is marked by evidence of increasing conflict, political instability, and population movement throughout the region. Even during Cahokia's peak, the construction of a massive defensive palisade around the city's central precinct is clear evidence that the threat of violence was a reality. Iconography from the SECC frequently depicts warriors wielding clubs and holding severed heads, underscoring the cultural importance of warfare. In this environment, the bow and arrow was the primary weapon, and vast quantities of arrow points would have been needed for defense and military campaigns. There is some archaeological and ethnographic evidence to suggest that different point styles may have been preferred for hunting versus warfare. Notched points, like the Cahokia type, were securely fastened to the arrow shaft, making it easier to retrieve the entire arrow after a successful hunt. In contrast, unnotched triangular points (like the Madison type that eventually replaced the Cahokia) could be more loosely attached, causing the point to remain in the wound if the shaft was withdrawn. This, combined with their simpler and faster manufacturing process, may have made unnotched points more suitable for the high-volume production required for warfare.

3.2 The Evidence from Mound 72: "Gempoints" as Symbols of Power

While many Cahokia points were everyday tools, a remarkable discovery in one of the site's most important mounds revealed an entirely different dimension of their meaning. Mound 72 is a modest-sized, ridge-top mound located south of Monks Mound. Excavations between 1967 and 1971 revealed that it was not a platform for a building but a complex mortuary monument, constructed in several stages to commemorate elite individuals and foundational events.

The central figure of Mound 72 was an elite male, likely a paramount chief or founding ancestor, who was laid to rest around 1050 CE on a magnificent blanket or cape made of more than 20,000 marine shell disc beads, arranged in the shape of a falcon or "Birdman"—a key figure in Mississippian cosmology. This "Beaded Burial" was accompanied by an astonishing array of grave goods, including a roll of sheet copper from the Great Lakes, a pile of unprocessed mica from the Carolinas, and hundreds of pristine, finely-crafted arrow points. The entire tableau was a stunning display of wealth and long-distance connections. The mound also contained the remains of approximately 252 other individuals, most of whom appear to have been sacrificial victims, including a pit with the bodies of 53 young women, and another group of four men whose heads and hands had been removed.

Within this dramatic ritual context, archaeologists discovered four large caches containing over 1,200 stone arrow points and hundreds more made of antler. These were not an armory or a simple collection of weapons. The points were in perfect condition, often larger than typical utilitarian examples, and exhibited the highest levels of craftsmanship. They were sorted into distinct groups by shape and material, indicating a deliberate and meaningful arrangement.

Crucially, many of these points were made from exotic materials and in styles associated with other distant cultures. Caches included points of translucent red and orange Kaolin chert from southern Illinois, gray Dover chert from Tennessee, and black Pitkin chert from the Caddoan region of Arkansas and Oklahoma. The styles were equally diverse, with some conforming to the classic Cahokia types, while others were clearly identifiable as types found at major centers like Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma.

This assemblage demonstrates a stark contrast between the "everyday" Cahokia point—a functional tool made from local stone—and the ceremonial "gempoint" of Mound 72—a bespoke work of art made from rare and beautiful materials. The same basic artifact form could be either a simple tool or a sacred object, with its value and meaning determined entirely by its material, craftsmanship, and, most importantly, its context. The ceremonial placement of these points as grave goods indicates they were symbols of wealth, prestige, and power.

The arrowhead caches in Mound 72 represent a form of "political theater" on a grand scale. By interring hundreds of projectile points whose materials and styles were recognizably foreign, the rulers of Cahokia were making a powerful statement about the extent of their influence. These caches were a material manifestation of the chief's geopolitical reach. In this ritual act, the weapons and symbolic identities of distant peoples were being claimed and taken to the grave, asserting Cahokia's dominance over a vast network of allies, trade partners, and subordinate territories. The burial was not merely a funeral; it was a foundational act of political consolidation, creating a permanent, sacred monument to a power that stretched across the known Mississippian world.

Part IV: A Comprehensive Assessment of Value

The "value" of artifacts like the two projectile points in question is not a single, simple figure. It is a complex concept that must be deconstructed into three distinct but interrelated categories: their archaeological and historical significance, their potential monetary value on the collector's market, and the legal and ethical framework that governs their ownership.

4.1 Archaeological and Historical Significance

From a scientific perspective, the primary value of any artifact lies in its context—the precise location where it was found and its association with other objects, features, and soil layers. An arrowhead excavated by a professional archaeologist from a documented village site can provide invaluable data on chronology, subsistence strategies (through residue analysis), trade networks (through material sourcing), and technological practices. An artifact that has been removed from its original context without documentation—an "unprovenanced" artifact—has lost the vast majority of its scientific value. It becomes an isolated object, a sentence ripped from a book, its full story forever obscured.

Despite this loss, even unprovenanced artifacts retain some significance. They remain tangible connections to the past, direct products of the hands and minds of the Mississippian people who inhabited one of the most important cultural centers in ancient North America. They are physical evidence of their technological ingenuity, their artistic sensibilities, and their complex way of life. As such, they are a crucial part of the heritage of North America and of the descendant Native American communities who trace their ancestry to the Mississippian cultures, including the Osage, Quapaw, and Cherokee, among many others.

4.2 The Collector's Market and Monetary Appraisal

Disclaimer: Any monetary valuation provided in this report is speculative and for illustrative purposes only. The market for Native American artifacts is highly variable, and a precise appraisal can only be made through in-person examination by a qualified and reputable expert. The authenticity and legality of items sold on public auction sites or online marketplaces are often unverified and should be approached with extreme caution.

The commercial value of a Cahokia point is determined by several key factors:

* Provenance: This is the single most critical factor. An artifact with a clear and documented collection history—for example, one found on private land decades ago with landowner permission and part of a known, cataloged collection—is far more valuable and legally secure than an item with no history. An unprovenanced artifact is immediately suspect.

* Typology and Rarity: A classic, well-defined, and aesthetically pleasing type, such as a finely made Triple-Notch Cahokia point, is highly desirable to collectors. Rarer sub-types or variations naturally command higher prices.

* Material and Aesthetics: The raw material is a major value driver. Points made from visually striking and rare materials, especially the vibrant, translucent Kaolin chert, are valued far more highly than those made from common white or gray Burlington chert.

* Craftsmanship and Condition: The quality of the flintknapping is paramount. Thin, symmetrical points with fine pressure flaking are valued over thicker, cruder examples. Condition is also key; points that are complete and undamaged, with intact tips, barbs, and bases, are worth significantly more than broken or reworked pieces.

Based on a survey of online auction sites and dealer listings, the market for authentic Cahokia points varies widely. Common, average-quality examples made from Burlington chert might sell for under one hundred to several hundred dollars. High-end examples, noted for their exceptional craftsmanship, rare material, or perfect condition, can be listed for well over $1,000. It is also important to be aware that the market is flooded with modern reproductions, which are often sold for nominal amounts ($15-$60) but are sometimes passed off as authentic artifacts.

4.3 The Legal and Ethical Framework for Ownership

The collection and ownership of archaeological artifacts are governed by a robust framework of federal and state laws. The central principle of this framework is that archaeological resources on public lands are the property of the public and cannot be collected by private individuals.

* Federal Law: The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979: ARPA is the cornerstone of archaeological protection in the United States. The act makes it a federal crime to "excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface" any archaeological resource on federal or Indian lands without a permit. It is also illegal to sell, purchase, exchange, or transport any artifact if it is known to have been removed in violation of this law. Penalties can be severe, including substantial fines and imprisonment. While Cahokia Mounds is a State Historic Site, the presence of National Historic Landmark status and the potential for federal funding can bring its resources under the purview of ARPA.

* Illinois State Law: The laws of Illinois are the most directly applicable to artifacts from Cahokia.

* The Archaeological and Paleontological Resources Protection Act (APRPA): This state law mirrors its federal counterpart, protecting archaeological sites on all public lands in Illinois, including state, county, and municipal properties. It is illegal for any person to explore, excavate, or collect archaeological resources from these lands without a formal permit issued by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

* The Human Remains Protection Act: This law protects all unregistered graves and burial markers more than 100 years old on both public and private land. It makes any disturbance of these sites, including the removal of associated funerary objects, illegal without a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Since many of the most significant artifacts, like the Mound 72 points, were found in burial contexts, this law is highly relevant.

These laws lead to a critical conclusion regarding provenance. It is unequivocally illegal for any individual to surface collect or dig for artifacts of any kind on the grounds of the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site today. The only way the projectile points in question can be legally owned is if they fall into one of two categories: 1) they were collected from private land with the explicit, written permission of the landowner, or 2) they were collected from the site before the passage of these protective laws and have a documented history ("provenance") showing they have been in a private collection since that time. Without such a clear and verifiable provenance, the artifacts exist in a state of profound legal and ethical ambiguity.

The act of removing an artifact from its context destroys its scientific value while potentially creating a commercial commodity. The legal framework is a direct response to this, designed to legally mandate the primacy of scientific and cultural value over commercial interests. The possession of an unprovenanced artifact from a protected site like Cahokia places the owner in a complex ethical position. Even if they did not commit the original illicit act, they are now the steward of a scientifically compromised object. This creates a responsibility not merely to preserve the object, but to mitigate the original damage as much as possible.

Conclusion: Preserving the Cahokian Legacy

This assessment has identified the two projectile points as artifacts of the Mississippian culture, likely conforming to the Cahokia Point typology and dating from the period of the great city's flourishing between 1000 and 1350 CE. Their material composition, manufacturing technique, and form place them within a sophisticated system of resource management, technology, and symbolic expression. They represent both the practical tools of daily life—for hunting and defense—and, in their most refined forms, powerful symbols of status, religion, and political power that were central to the ritual theater of Cahokian elites.

Their value is multi-layered. While they may have a potential monetary value on the collector's market, this is dwarfed by their immense archaeological and historical significance as non-renewable resources that are part of a shared global heritage. Critically, their ownership is governed by strict federal and state laws that prohibit the collection of artifacts from public lands like the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site.

Therefore, the following recommendations are offered for the responsible stewardship of these important cultural objects:

* Document Provenance: Every known detail about the history of the artifacts—who found them, when, where, and how they were acquired—should be meticulously recorded. This information is vital for assessing their legal status and any remaining scientific potential.

* Forgo Commercial Sale: No attempt should be made to sell the artifacts. Given the legal framework, selling unprovenanced artifacts from a protected site carries significant legal risk and is ethically problematic as it perpetuates the commercialization of cultural heritage.

* Consult with Professionals: The most responsible and constructive course of action is to contact the professional staff at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site or the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. These experts can offer a definitive identification, officially record the artifacts in the state's archaeological inventory, and provide guidance on their long-term care. By doing so, the owner can ensure that these artifacts, even if divorced from their original context, can still contribute to the scientific understanding and public appreciation of the magnificent and complex world of ancient Cahokia. This transforms the owner from a simple possessor into an active and vital participant in the preservation of cultural heritage.

Labels

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Checking out those two Mississippian arrowheads from Cahokia, huh?

Checking out those two Mississippian arrowheads from Cahokia, huh?