Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley have refuted the established beliefs about the death of the ancient pre-Columbian civilization of Cahokia, which disappeared by the 15th century. This was announced in a press release on Phys.org.
Researchers analyzed fossil pollen, remains of ancient feces, charcoal to determine what happened in the region after the alleged decline of Cahokia.
During its heyday in the 12th century, Cahokia, located in the southern part of the territory of modern Illinois, was the center of Mississippi culture. Tens of thousands of Native Americans lived here, who were engaged in agriculture, fishing, trade and the construction of giant ritual mounds. After about two centuries, it began to decline due to floods, droughts and a lack of resources. According to the prevailing myth, civilization has completely disappeared.
However, new evidence indicates that indigenous people continued to be present in the region. A new wave of Americans settled in the region in the 1500s and was present there throughout the 1700s, until migration, war, disease, and environmental changes led to population declines in the region. Local communities were built around corn farming, bison hunting, and controlled burning of dry grass in pastures.
