The origins of engraved marine shell cups, copper repoussé plates, and ritual centers: disentangling early Cahokia symbolism from post–AD 1200 SECC iconography

Reexamination of archaeological evidence challenges the long-held belief that Cahokia Mounds was the origin of engraved marine shell cups and copper repoussé plates, key elements of Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (SECC) iconography. The study finds that early Braden art style materials attributed to Cahokia lack sufficient context or chronology to support a Cahokian heritage. Instead, these artifacts are better explained as byproducts of Caddo immigration and influence in the American Bottom. The skewed distribution and early chronology of Mississippian ritual paraphernalia suggest they likely originated from Spiro, a site that emerged as a sacred center for regional pilgrimages. This research sheds new light on the origins and significance of SECC symbolism, shifting the narrative away from Cahokia to Spiro as the probable source.

Emerson, T. E. (2023). The origins of engraved marine shell cups, copper repoussé plates, and ritual centers: disentangling early Cahokia symbolism from post–AD 1200 SECC iconography. Southeastern Archaeology, 42(2), 83–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/0734578x.2022.2155357