MOUNDS OF THE UNITED STATES — BUSHNELL 675 



course. Of the great number of mounds that formerly stood in the 

 vicinity of Cahokia, few remain in their original condition, many 

 have entirely disappeared within the past half century, and others 

 have been greatly reduced by the p,low, now rising only as low 

 swells above the level surface of the plain. Cahokia, the great 

 mound, stands in practically the same condition as when first dis- 

 covered. Parts of its surface have been cultivated, but not sufficiently 

 to injure or modify its contour which is so clearly defined when 

 viewed from the east. 



Cahokia was erected with its four sides facing the cardinal points, 

 as were the smaller rectangular mounds of the group, and on 

 the south it slopes from the summit plateau to the lower terrace 

 which continues in a narrow graded way to the level of the plain. 

 This must have served as the main approach for those ascending 

 from the surrounding lowland to the terrace or upper plateau, un- 

 doubtedly the scene of many and varied ceremonies by the occupants 

 of the land long before it was invaded by the people of another race. 

 Although Cahokia has never been extensively excavated, its arti- 

 ficial nature is beyond question. It was raised entirely by man by 

 primitive methods, and should now be preserved by the State as a 

 lasting monument. It occupies a position in the Mississippi Valley 

 comparable to that of the pyramids of Egypt in the Valley of the 

 Nile and tlie massive structures in the Valley of Mexico. The de- 

 struction of Cahokia would prove an irreparable loss which must be 

 averted for the benefit of future generations. 



As mentioned, Cahokia and all the lesser rectangular mounds of 

 the surrounding group were oriented with their sides facing the 

 cardinal points. This appears to have been the rule without excep- 

 tion, and the accuracy with which they were constructed makes it 

 quite evident that their builders had knowledge of the North Star, 

 which served as the guide in their labors. 



Wlien this region was first visited by Europeans during the lat- 

 ter part of the seventeenth century it was occupied by Algonquian 

 tribes, the Cahokia and related Tamaroa, belonging to the Illinois 

 confederacy. They were a roving people and had probably only 

 recently arrived on the bank of the Mississippi. They were in no way 

 associated with the erection of the great mounds standing nearby, 

 although many of the burials discovered eastward from the base of 

 Cahokia may justly be attributed to these later occupants of the 

 land. 



Some miles eastward from the great mound groups, about 3 miles 

 northward from Lebanon, St. Clair County, is a large rectangular 

 mound rising above the surrounding level plain. It is placed with 

 its angles facing the cardinal points, thus differing from all similar 



