High Resolution Lidar Drone Imagery Assessment of the Rattlesnake Mound Complex at Cahokia, Illinois, USA

A high-resolution lidar drone survey of the Rattlesnake Mound Complex at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site has revealed new details about a series of low mounds surrounding the primary structure, with only two previously documented. The study also assessed erosion damage caused by unfilled trenches from Moorehead’s 1927 excavation and uncovered new findings related to bundle burials and a 'spirit house' within Rattlesnake Mound. By combining lidar imagery with aerial photographs, researchers provided unprecedented insights into the site's structure and preservation challenges.

Romain, W. F., Herrmann, E. W., Martin, H., Barefoot, E. A., & Scott, S. (2025). High Resolution Lidar Drone Imagery Assessment of the Rattlesnake Mound Complex at Cahokia, Illinois, USA. Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology, 50(1), 31–62. https://doi.org/10.5406/23274271.50.1.02