Скачать или смотреть Cahokia: Mound 66 & Rattlesnake Causeway

Cahokia, a sprawling metropolis of the Mississippian culture, once thrived as the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico. Yet, despite its historical significance, a crucial element often overlooked in depictions of this ancient city is Mound 66, also known as the Harding Mound or Rattlesnake Mound. This enigmatic structure, a ridge-topped mound with a smooth, rounded summit, is connected to the city's Grand Plaza by a remarkable causeway, the Rattlesnake Causeway.

The Rattlesnake Causeway, a 59-foot-wide path stretching over 2,600 feet, cuts through the surrounding landscape, potentially linking Mound 66 to the mortuary Mound 72. Recent advancements in LiDAR technology have revealed the causeway's impressive scale and its strategic placement, suggesting a deliberate design that transcends mere practicality. Some scholars have interpreted the causeway as a symbolic "Path of Souls," alluding to its connection to the mortuary mound and its trajectory through low-lying, potentially watery terrain.

By exploring the significance of Mound 66 and the Rattlesnake Causeway, we can gain a deeper understanding of Cahokia's complex social, religious, and cosmological beliefs. This overlooked feature offers a fascinating glimpse into the ancient world of the Mississippian people and their intricate relationship with the natural environment.

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