Monk's Mound and Clay Construction

Monk's Mound and Clay Construction

Assessment

Interactive Video

Architecture

9th - 10th Grade

Hard

Created by

Liam Anderson

FREE Resource

Archaeologists discovered a massive clay core at the base of Monk's Mound, which is part of the Cahokia site. Despite clay's tendency to shrink and crack as it dries, the structure has remained stable for over a thousand years. This is due to the mound builders' innovative use of soil buttresses that draw groundwater to keep the clay core moist. This method prevented structural collapse and allowed the construction of the largest earthen structure in the Western Hemisphere. The purpose of the mound and the fate of its builders remain unknown.

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7 questions

Show all answers

1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What did archaeologists find at the base of Monk's Mound?

A giant core of clay

An underground river

A hidden chamber

A treasure trove of artifacts

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is a major problem with using clay as a construction material?

It is too expensive

It is difficult to mold

It shrinks and cracks when it dries

It is not durable

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

How did the mound builders prevent the clay core from drying out?

By building a roof over it

By painting it with a sealant

By using soil buttresses to draw groundwater

By covering it with a tarp

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What role do the soil buttresses play in the mound's construction?

They provide decoration

They act as a sponge to keep the clay wet

They serve as a pathway

They are used for storage

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What natural elements help keep the clay core wet?

Snow and ice

Groundwater and rainwater

Sunlight and wind

Fog and mist

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What is the significance of Monk's Mound in the Western Hemisphere?

It is the most decorated monument

It is the tallest building

It is the largest earth structure

It is the oldest known structure

7.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 1 pt

What mystery remains about Monk's Mound?

Its purpose and the fate of its builders

The tools used to build it

The materials used in its construction

Its exact age