Name: Mississippians
Government
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Each community had its own chief
Called a chiefdom
Chiefs were in charge of the citizens and were the religious leader of their community
Chiefs were very important…lived on the top of massive mounds and had special burials much
like Egyptian pharaohs.
Leading chief – Great Sun – kept forces of nature in balance.
Cahokia – center of Mississippian government
Social Structures
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Upper class – lived on mounds, priests, chiefs
Craftsmen
Lower class – commoners and servants
Religion
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Mounds – used for burial sites and religious ceremonies
Great Sun Chief
Chiefs would receive special burials.
Technology
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Solar calendar/ sun circle
Digging stick
Tools created out of stone, shells, bone
Flint
Agricultural Practices
and Products
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Maize/corn based agriculture
Also grew squash, pumpkins, sunflowers, beans
Digging stick
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Along the Mississippi River
Cahokia was the center of government and trade.
Location