Exam 14: An Explosion of Complexity: North America

Correct Answer:

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Archaeologists assert that greater Cahokia was a city-state based on several lines of evidence that indicate it had the characteristics of an urban center with a complex social, political, and economic structure similar to that of a city-state. Here are some of the key factors that support this assertion:

1. **Size and Population Density**: Cahokia was the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico, covering about six square miles at its peak around 1100 CE. It had a population estimated to be between 10,000 to 20,000 people, which is comparable to the populations of other known city-states from the same period.

2. **Monumental Architecture**: The presence of massive earthen structures, such as Monks Mound, which is the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, indicates a high level of organization and social stratification. These mounds were likely religious and ceremonial centers, as well as symbols of political power and authority.

3. **Urban Planning**: The layout of Cahokia shows evidence of planned urban development. The central part of the city was laid out according to a specific plan, with plazas, residential areas, and specialized activity zones indicating a complex urban society with a centralized authority capable of organizing large-scale construction projects.

4. **Political Structure**: The scale of the public works and the differentiation in housing suggest a ruling elite that could command labor and resources. The presence of elite burials and artifacts, such as finely crafted copper and shell objects, further supports the existence of a complex political hierarchy.

5. **Economic System**: Evidence of craft specialization, trade networks, and storage facilities indicates that Cahokia had a developed economy capable of supporting a large urban population. The city was a hub for the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices, connecting it to other regions through extensive trade routes.

6. **Defensive Structures**: Archaeological evidence of a palisade wall surrounding the central precinct of Cahokia suggests that it had defensive capabilities and concerns about protecting its inhabitants, a common feature of city-states.

7. **Cultural Influence**: The influence of Cahokia extended well beyond its immediate surroundings, as seen in the spread of Mississippian culture across the Southeast and Midwest of the United States. This cultural diffusion implies that Cahokia had the characteristics of a city-state, exerting control or influence over a larger region.

Taken together, these elements paint a picture of Cahokia as a prehistoric city-state with a complex urban society that included a centralized political authority, a stratified social structure, an advanced economy, and a dominant cultural influence in the region.