Mound Builders Essay

Mounds can be found throughout the Midwestern part of the United States. Almost every mound was man made by the early Native Americans mound builders. The history of the mound builders can date back thousands of years. Many wonder why they built the mounds and what were there purpose to these people. History of the ancient mound builders along with their religious beliefs can help get an idea of the purpose the mounds. Mounds were built with mud and wood to support the structure. Native Americans were mainly hunter and gathers. According to Newberry.org "The settlements of these believers were oriented to mounds and earthworks, that is, ceremonial centers that were constructed several miles apart along waterways." Most mounds run along the …show more content…
They made objects like the canoes, ropes, and log bridges. Their inventions made great with the Spanish explorers in the area. Also, the Cahokia Indians quarried stone and carved them into weapons in the shape of an arrowhead. Corn reemerged into the Cahokia region and beans were farmed by the Indians. The Indians would also discover salt to use on their food. The Religious beliefs of the Cahokia Indians were like most hunter and gathers. According to Lost Civilizations book "Mound Builders & Cliff Dwellers" It stated "Central to the Mississippians ' religious practice were their flat-topped pyramids, so ubiquitous in their society that the people are often referred to as the Temple Mound Builders." Most mounds serve as ceremonies center for religious purposes. They also believed that their leaders were children of the sun. For example, leader was known as the Great Sun because they 're the children of the sun. Human sacrifice was also part of their religious …show more content…
Tribe leaders were usually known as the Great Sun. According to the Lost Civilization "And when a Great Sun departed this world, as the French observed, his successor would come not from his or his brothers ' line, but from that of his closest female relative." The Great Sun lived on the top of mound of the most notable mound. De Soto was one of the most notable Great Sun because of his encounters with the Spanish explorers. Later, it would be found that De Soto was never a Great Sun he just claimed he was. Cahokia established one great militaries of the Native Americans. Some Believe Monks Mound was used for war advantages. According to Lynda Shaffer "Even the Spaniards, with their gunpowder, iron weapons, and horses, had good reasons to fear them." The military/tribe leader was De Soto lead the Cahokia Native Americans against the Spaniards. In the end, The Spanish advancement in technology gave them the