The role of water in the emergence of the pre‐Columbian Native American City Cahokia

Water played a pivotal role in the emergence and development of Cahokia, one of North America's largest pre-Columbian cities. Beyond its functional significance for water management, water was deeply symbolic and relational, shaping the city's landscape and urban planning. Nestled in the Mississippi River floodplain at the confluence of three rivers, Cahokians integrated natural and man-made water features into their city design, influencing the placement of earthen mounds, neighborhoods, causeways, and public plazas. This study demonstrates that early Native American societies valued water not only for its practical uses but also as a central element in urban symbolism and worldview, offering unique insights into ancient urban environments.

Baires, S. E. (2015). The role of water in the emergence of the pre‐Columbian Native American City Cahokia. WIREs Water, 2(5), 489–503. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1094