The five ancient cities that once ruled North America

 

The five ancient cities that once ruled North America

Well before the Europeans arrived, the indigenous people of North America raised cities that rivaled those an ocean away. From Teotihuacan to Cahokia, these ancient metropolises featured striking pyramids, palaces, temples, and tombs. Some even had ties throughout Central America, while others were believed to have had the equal power and advancements of the Inca and Aztec. Today, archaeologists are slowly discovering more about the splendid past of North America's first megacities.

 

Intrigued? Let's find out more about these ancient metropolises.

 

Cahokia

 

Cahokia

Around 1000 CE, a complex metropolis thrived near present-day St. Louis, near the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers.

 

Cahokia

Known as Cahokia, it was the largest city north of present-day Mexico. It had an estimated population of between 10,000 and 20,000 people.

 

Cahokia

The city was dominated by at least 100 raised structures, which were topped with houses, burial mounds, and other buildings.

Cahokia 

The largest building was a terraced structure that rose 98 feet (29 m) into the air. Its base was even larger than the footprint of Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Khufu.

Cahokia

Little is known about this ancient civilization. But based on historians' research, it was a cosmopolitan center of crafts, trade, and architecture.

Cahokia

Judging by protective wooden palisades found around the city center, something started to threaten the Cahokians. By 1350, they had completely disappeared.

 

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan

Located just 30 miles (48 km) northeast of present-day Mexico City, Teotihuacan was possibly the largest city in the Americas.

Teotihuacan

Once an epicenter of architecture and art, Teotihuacan was at its peak around 400 BCE. It had a flourishing artistic community, who influenced cultures throughout Mesoamerica.

Teotihuacan

It's estimated that more than 100,000 Teotihuacanos lived in the impressive city, filled with avenues, temples, palaces, and thousands of apartment buildings.

Teotihuacan

Some impressive structures include the Pyramid of the Sun, which is believed to have venerated a deity within Teotihuacan society.

Teotihuacan

Then there was also the Pyramid of the Moon, which was used for ritual sacrifices of animals and humans. Archaeologists have found proof beneath it, including the remains of wolves, eagles, pumas, and 12 human bodies.

Teotihuacan

Around 750 CE, the city burned down, possibly at the hands of invaders. It was never recovered. Archaeologists are still working to find out who the Teotihuacanos were, where they came from, and what language they spoke.

 

Chaco Canyon

Chaco Canyon

From 800 to 1200 CE, indigenous people lived in more than 150 settlements around Chaco Canyon, located in modern-day New Mexico.

 

Chaco Canyon

They lived in impressive stone mansions, with hundreds of rooms. The largest house was Pueblo Bonito, at the center of the Chacoan world.

Chaco Canyon

The Chacoan people were farmers and traders. To water their corn, squash, and beans, they harnessed the intermittent flow of local streams through canals and ditches.

 

 

Chaco Canyon

They were also in contact with the Mesoamerican peoples to the south. Traders brought in goods such as scarlet macaws and cocoa.

 

Chaco Canyon

With no written language, much of what is known about the Chacoans comes from their burial sites. One found burial held 13 presumably high-ranking bodies, which DNA analysis showed were related through their mothers or grandmothers. This means power may have been passed down through the maternal line.

 

Chaco Canyon

By the 13th century, the Chacoan people began to leave for other parts of the Southwest. This was possibly due to severe drought.

 

Etzanoa

Etzanoa

By the Walnut and Arkansas rivers, near present-day Arkansas City, once flourished a vast metropolis of more than 20,000 citizens.

Etzanoa

Ancestors of the Wichita Nation, the citizens of Etzanoa lived in houses shaped like big beehives, with lush gardens between the homes.

Etzanoa

During the cold winter months, the locals would follow the bison herds and build temporary homes while traveling.

 

Etzanoa

The people of Etzanoa had strong artisan traditions, and their trade network reached as far as Tenochtitlan in modern-day Mexico.

Etzanoa

In the late 16th century, Spanish conquistadors came in contact with the group living in the region. But what was a friendly encounter quickly turned. In 1601, the Spanish took hostages and the residents ran away.

Etzanoa

Considered a long-lost city, archaeologists believe smallpox and other diseases killed most of the original settlers.

 

Spiro Mounds

 

Spiro Mounds

In 1933, treasure hunters stumbled across a burial chamber near Spiro, Oklahoma, which had been closed for 500 years. Inside they discovered stunning treasures.

 

Spiro Mounds

From engraved shells, pearls and beads, to brightly hued blankets and robes, newspapers dubbed the discovery the "American King Tut's tomb."

 

Spiro Mounds

Apart from the treasures, archaeologists managed to uncover an area that belonged to a prehistoric power. It equaled the size and sophistication of the Aztec and Inca.

 

Spiro Mounds

The Spiro people ruled over nearly two-thirds of what is now the US, including the eastern part of St. Louis, Moundville in Alabama, and Etowah in Georgia.

 

 

Spiro Mounds

From around 800 CE, the location became a permanent settlement until about 1450. At its height, some 10,000 people lived there.

Spiro Mounds

By 1500, the Spiro people had mysteriously disappeared. The reasons could be due to an extended drought or political infighting.