Amerindian Civilizations



Painting by William Iseminger Photo by Joshua Hutchison


This page will contain information on the ancient civilizations of North and Meso America aimed at dispelling the myths most are now taught about these cultures.

The temple mound builders lived in huts as shown below.

Based on excavations and Accounts by early Explorers this type of structure was a basic design being used as both dwelling and temple. The degree of decoration and size varied according to status.

Status was an important part of Temple Mound societies and the wealthy would adorne themselves with copper earspools, breast plates, breech clouts and other forms of decoration as seen in this collection of drawings taken from copper plates found at the Spiro site, Cahokia site, and the Etowa Site.

These plates also demonstrate the cultural interaction between the various groups of temple mound builders. Archaeological evidence shows these plates to be accurate depictions

They protected their cities with large stockades as illustrated in this drawing. These stockades not only defended the inner city, but may have served to defend the overbearing rulers from civil uprisings. They were often covered with an adobe plaster to resist fire. Accounts by early explorers tell of the towers being stocked with water to aid in preventing the wall from being burned by an enemy and large rocks to be cast down upon the agressors.

Who were the Mound Builders?

Wood Henge: This page considers the mysteries surrounding Wood Henge of the Cahokia site.

Dark and Bloody Ground: This page discusses the "Dark and Bloody Ground" mythology that surrounded the area once occupied by Mississippian cultures before and after Columbus.

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