Cahokia and the Archaeology of Power

Cahokia, the largest prehistoric monument complex in North America, challenges conventional interpretations of hierarchical societies. Unlike traditional views that attribute monumental constructions to elite control, this study proposes that Cahokia's rise was driven by elites manipulating ideology to compel participation from subordinate societal layers. Analyzing 120 mounds spread over 13 square kilometers—with a peak population estimated in the tens of thousands—researcher Thomas Emerson examines evidence of power dynamics and rural connections, using concepts of agency and ideology to reinterpret social complexity. The study underscores the role of ideology in shaping hierarchical societies, raising enduring questions about the effectiveness of elite control and the interpretative challenges posed by archaeological data.

Emerson, T. E. (2010). Cahokia and the Archaeology of Power. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.30347079