The Rise and Fall of Cahokia: North America’s First City

Cahokia was a major pre-Columbian city in North America, known for its size and complexity. It thrived due to agricultural advancements, particularly corn cultivation, which led to rapid population growth and urban development. Despite its success, Cahokia eventually declined, possibly due to environmental changes or social unrest. Archaeological methods like pollen analysis and isotopic studies help uncover its history.

Which city was a major urban center in North America before European colonization?

• Tenochtitlan

• Cahokia

• Tikal

• Constantinople

What is the name given to the area where Cahokia was located?

• Mississippi Valley

• Great Plains

• American Bottom

• Appalachian Basin

What crop's introduction around 900 CE significantly impacted Cahokia's development?

• Wheat

• Barley

• Rice

• Corn

What is the name of the large mound constructed in Cahokia?

• Great Ziggurat

• Temple of Kukulkan

• Monks Mound

• Pyramid of the Sun

Which technique allows archaeologists to study underground features without digging?

• Dendrochronology

• Radiocarbon dating

• Thermoluminescence

• Magnetometry

What was the estimated population range of Cahokia at its peak?

• 30,000 to 40,000

• 20,000 to 30,000

• 10,000 to 20,000

• 5,000 to 10,000

What evidence suggests that Cahokia had connections with distant regions?

• Language similarities

• Architectural styles

• Written records

• Exotic goods and burial customs

What is one possible reason for the decline of Cahokia?

• Increased flooding

• Invasion by Europeans

• Volcanic eruption

• Economic collapse

What type of evidence do scientists use to estimate Cahokia's population size?

• Census records

• Fecal stanols

• Tree rings

• Pottery shards

What is still unclear about the history of Cahokia?

• The crops they cultivated

• The language spoken by its people

• The location of its capital

• The exact reasons for its decline