Performances of Imposed Status: Captivity at Cahokia

Recent archaeological and bioarchaeological research at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site reveals that captivity and slavery were practices among past societies, with their treatment varying significantly across cultures and even within the same society. Kathryn M. Koziol's study highlights how social and political relationships, influenced by cultural, historical, and ideological factors, shaped the rights and obligations of captives. The analysis of human remains from Cahokia underscores that violence was not merely an act of physical harm but also a component of cosmological and social performance, reflecting broader societal structures and dynamics.

Koziol, K. M. (2012). Performances of Imposed Status: Captivity at Cahokia. The Bioarchaeology of Violence, 226–250. https://doi.org/10.5744/florida/9780813041506.003.0012