Mound 72, Burial mound at Cahokia archaeological site, Illinois, United States
Mound 72 is a large prehistoric mound at the Cahokia archaeological site in Illinois. It contains multiple burial layers with different arrangements, including mass graves and individual interments throughout its structure.
This mound was built between 1000 and 1200 CE and shows complex burial practices of that era. Excavations in the 1960s and 1970s revealed three smaller mounds beneath the main structure.
The burials show different treatment levels that point to a social ranking system among the people who lived here. You can see how some individuals received more elaborate arrangements than others.
This mound is accessible year-round and can be explored on foot. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground can be uneven, especially after rain.
Beneath the mound, researchers found a special burial of a man positioned on a bird-shaped arrangement made from around 20,000 marine shell beads. This remarkable interment shows the great importance of this individual in the community.
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