Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL.

When we visited Cahokia Mounds, we learned that this ancient civilization is the largest known archaeologist site North of Mexico. The Native Americans that built this city are said to have lived here from 700AD to 1400AD. They were known as "Mound Builders" because they made earthen mounds that were used for burial, and different kinds of ceremonies. 

This mound is known as "Monks Mound". Monks Mound is the largest of 109 mounds found in the area. We found it interesting that the Native Americans transported dirt in baskets on their backs to build each of these mounds.  The place were they dug the dirt out is called a "borrow pit" and these large pits are still seen today.

Admission to the Interpretive Center and Historic Site is FREE. The Interpretive Center has many artifacts that archaeologist have found during their excavations of the site. A short film "The City of the Sun" plays every 1/2 hour for visitors. In the Gift Shop, you can purchase a  trail guide that will explain all the mounds outside. We decided not to visit the mounds because it was 100 degrees and just drove around to see the ones closest to the road. 

We enjoyed our visit to the Cahokia Mounds .

On our way to the Cahokia Mounds Site, we passed this .....

World's Largest Ketchup Bottle.