Buckle up for a journey into the heartland of America that will make you appreciate a hidden gem right in your own country. We're talking about Pyramid Mound, an extraordinary archaeological site nestled in Illinois' Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site. Dating back to around AD 1000 to 1200, the Pyramid Mound was a central part of what was once the largest and most complex native civilization north of Mexico—the Mississippians. While coastal elites are busy rewriting history to fit their narratives, they're missing the rich, untold stories of Middle America.
You might wonder what makes a bunch of earthen mounds so special. Historically, the Mississippians weren’t just stacking dirt for fun. The Pyramid Mound was part of a bustling city, akin to today's largest urban centers. Think of it as an ancient Chicago minus the deep-dish pizzas, but just as significant to its era. This was the heartbeat of trade, culture, and governance for a wide network that stretched as far as the Great Lakes down to the Gulf of Mexico. Aren’t we always being told how landlocked America lacks culture? Try calling the Pyramid Mound uninteresting and you'll have 800-year-old mound builders rolling in their metaphorical graves.
Located in what is now Collinsville, Illinois, Pyramid Mound and its surrounding earthworks reveal a culture that was highly sophisticated. The mound is primarily composed of layers of packed earth and clay. While coastal regions pride themselves on their ancient European artifacts, there's a culture buried under our feet that outdates many of their prized possessions. By the way, let's not forget just how earlier civilizations were dismissed as ‘savages’. Quite enlightening how those narrow views have not aged well.
The ‘when’ of excavation is just as important. Discoveries made post-World War I up to the current day have been crucial, showcasing how these ancient people lived, their social hierarchy, and their skills in astronomy and agriculture. One has to ask: Why isn’t this a bigger story? Pyramid Mound reflects the ingenuity and creativity that echoes the American spirit. While mainstream media is busy glamorizing European castles and Asian wonders, perhaps, it's high time we reclaim the narrative of our own soil.
Now, contrast the visits to Pyramid Mound. Painstaking archaeological finds show that this was indeed the place to be during its peak—vibrant markets, ceremonial events, and probably more ancient gossip than a medieval Friday night in London. Yet, these narratives are hardly highlighted in modern discourse. Why? Because it doesn't fit the typical mold of western stories that grab the media spotlight. We could learn a lot by broadening our understanding from beyond textbooks that seem stuck in printing only eurocentric accomplishments.
One must address the elephant in the room, or rather, the lack of mounds. Why and how did such a thriving metropolis decline? Environmental changes, political unrest, or something else entirely? That's the kind of history school tours should focus on when they visit sites like Pyramid Mound. This isn't just a lesson in history; it's a study in human resilience albeit little spoken of, highlighting how older generations managed adversity—something today’s headlines could pay heed to.
In terms of tourism potential, Illinois has an unclaimed marketing strategy right here. Generally, people flock to the Grand Canyon or Disneyland, but there’s a case for making Pyramid Mound the centerpiece of a rediscovery of Midwestern America. If investment dollars went into developing this site further to echo its grandeur, Middle America could stand toe to toe with the mainstream narratives of ancient times elsewhere.
While some groups may prefer to propagate the belief that there's nothing extraordinary between the coasts, sites like Pyramid Mound challenge this idea. Not every cultural wonder is carved in Roman stone or ancient Greek marble. Sometimes, it’s made of earth, raised by people whose stories deserve to be told and retold, until we shift the paradigm of what makes culture, well, cultured. Something to think about the next time you hear someone dismiss Middle America as devoid of intrigue or importance on the cultural map.
There's simplicity yet depth in human history, and Pyramid Mound proves it. Let’s bring its narrative alive in American consciousness. While the modern world spins tales of dusty lands beyond the seas, let’s not forget the enigma unfolding just west of the Mississippi. Maybe then, the next time someone decides to craft the country's storehouse of histories, Middle America won't be missing a chapter.