Cahokia Woodhenge
Cahokia Woodhenge at Cahokia Mounds
Mississippian Emergent–Early 900–1150 CE·Mississippian (Cahokia)·🇺🇸 Illinois, St Clair County, United States
About
About Cahokia Woodhenge
Five successive timber post circles (Woodhenge III: 410 m diameter, 48 posts) west of Monks Mound, solstice sunrise over Monks Mound and Fox Mound, equinox through gateway. Posts 6–9 m high bald cypress, perimeter bank; reconstructed circle 48 posts half-height defines Mississippian solar calendar controlling agricultural ritual and feasting linked to Ramey Plaza. Excavated Wittry 1961; reconstructed 1985; UNESCO 1982.
Why it mattersOnly Mississippian horizon calendar known; demonstrates Cahokia calendrical astronomy rivaling Mesoamerica.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why five successive circles with increasing posts
- 02Posts as lineage markers
Theories
- 01Calendar priesthood controlled maize surplus redistribution
- 02Woodhenge as Theater of Power performance
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.900–1100 CE; Woodhenge III c.1100 CE
- Period
- Mississippian Emergent–Early 900–1150 CE
- Culture
- Mississippian (Cahokia)
- Purpose
- Solar calendar, ceremonial timing and agricultural ritual
- Abandoned
- c.1200 CE (center shift)
- Rediscovered
- 1961 Warren Wittry discovered post pits; reconstructed 1985
- Excavation
- Excavated
900 CE
Woodhenge I 24-post circle
1100 CE
Woodhenge III 48-post monumental circle
1985
Full reconstruction of III
On the ground
Structures & features
38.6436° N · 90.0536° W · 150 m · 2 mapped features
Woodhenge III Circle
timber circleReconstructed 48-post 410 m timber circle with bank
38.6436° N · 90.0536° WSolstice Viewing Post
featureOffset observation post aligning sunrise over Monks Mound
38.6430° N · 90.0530° W
Gallery