Forget everything you think you know about ancient America.

Picture towering earthen pyramids, not in Egypt or Mexico, but in the heart of what would

become the United States.

Imagine bustling cities with tens of thousands of inhabitants, complex social structures, intricate

artistry and a vibrant spiritual world that profoundly shaped their lives.

Today we journey back nearly a thousand years to explore one of the most sophisticated and enigmatic civilizations of pre-Columbian America.

From the monumental earthworks of Cahokia to their intricate belief systems and the enduring

mysteries that still surround them, join us as we delve into the rise

and eventual decline of the Mississippian culture.

This is a history that demands to be heard.

The History of the World podcast, written and presented by Chris Hasler. Volume 4 The Medieval World

Episode 92

The Mississippian

Culture

Music When we talk about the Mississippian culture, we're referring to a civilization believed to have thrived from around 800 CE, continuing up until the European colonization of North America.

But before we dive in, let's pause for a moment, because there's something incredibly important

to clarify. When discussing the civilisations of Europe or Asia, we tend to follow a neat

and linear trajectory. From Neolithic communities to the development of writing systems,

the rise of kingdoms and empires,

and eventually towards societies recognizably linked to the modern world.

Even in cases where direct historical evidence is lacking, we often have secondary sources,

accounts from travellers, traders or scribes, leaving behind

...