Correlating Late-Holocene climate change and population dynamics at Cahokia Mounds (American Bottom, USA)

A multi-decadal drought at the end of the 13th century did not significantly alter vegetative communities at Cahokia Mounds, challenging assumptions about climate-induced agricultural destabilization. Using stable carbon isotopes from paleosols, researchers found that Indigenous plant communities showed resilience to severe drought conditions, contrary to expectations. This study highlights critical gaps in understanding how plants respond to climate variability and emphasizes the need for deeper insights into the tolerance of Indigenous crops to inform future climate adaptation strategies.

Rankin, C. G., & Mueller, N. G. (2024). Correlating Late-Holocene climate change and population dynamics at Cahokia Mounds (American Bottom, USA). The Holocene, 34(9), 1194–1203. https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836241254488