Why did Cahokia decline and eventually disappear?

Posted on Aug 03, 2025 / Travel

Why did Cahokia decline and eventually disappear?

The reasons for Cahokia's decline are still debated among scholars, but likely include a combination of environmental, social, and political factors. Deforestation, overhunting, and climate changes may have strained the local ecosystem. Internal conflicts or shifts in trade routes might have weakened the city’s economy and social structure. By around 1350 CE, the site was largely abandoned, and by the time Europeans arrived in the 1600s, little was known about its original inhabitants. Despite its disappearance, Cahokia left a lasting legacy in North American archaeology.



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