New research on why Cahokia Mounds civilization left

Recent archaeological research at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Illinois has provided new insights into the reasons behind the abandonment of this once-thriving civilization around 1400. Previously, it was widely believed that a prolonged drought led to crop failures, prompting the Cahokians to leave. However, a study by Natalie Mueller and Caitlin Rankin suggests that the inhabitants may have possessed the agricultural skills to adapt to environmental challenges, indicating that social factors and external pressures were more significant in their departure. The research involved analyzing carbon isotopes from soil samples, which showed no drastic changes in plant types that would indicate widespread crop failure. Instead, the consistent ratios of Carbon 12 and Carbon 13 suggest that the Cahokians maintained a diverse diet and effective food storage systems. Mueller proposes that the abandonment was likely a gradual process influenced by various pressures rather than a sudden exodus. Future research aims to further explore the agricultural practices and dietary habits of the Cahokians to better understand their societal dynamics and the factors leading to their decline.

- Cahokia was one of the largest pre-Columbian civilizations in North America, with a population of around 50,000.

- New research challenges the theory that drought-induced crop failure was the primary reason for the civilization's abandonment.

- Isotope analysis indicates that the Cahokians likely adapted their agricultural practices to environmental changes.

- The abandonment process was likely gradual, influenced by social and external pressures rather than a sudden event.

- Future studies aim to gather more data on the agricultural practices of the Cahokians to understand their societal dynamics better.