What is Monks Mound and why is it significant?
Posted on Aug 03, 2025 / Travel
Monks Mound is the largest structure at Cahokia and the biggest prehistoric earthen mound in North America. It stands about 100 feet tall and covers over 14 acres at its base. The mound was likely the political and spiritual center of the city, possibly supporting a temple or the residence of a chief. It is named after French Trappist monks who lived nearby in the 1800s, long after the original inhabitants had left. The mound’s scale and construction demonstrate the advanced engineering and organizational skills of the Mississippian culture.
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