The Mississippian Period

ancient civilizations · archaeology · North America · farming

Corn was king. The Mississippians relied heavily on growing maize (corn) as their main food, which was very different from the earlier Woodland people who grew many different crops. This focus on corn farming helped them build larger, more organized communities.

Religious leaders ruled. Mississippian societies were theocracies, meaning religious leaders held the most power and made important decisions for everyone. These leaders were deeply respected and may have lived in special places within their towns.

Bustling towns rose up. Instead of spreading out in small groups, Mississippians built large population centers where thousands of people lived together. These were early cities where traders, farmers, craftspeople, and families all worked and lived side by side.

Enormous earthen mounds. The Mississippians built massive mound structures for temples, homes of important leaders, and other important buildings. Unlike their Woodland ancestors who mainly built burial mounds, these new mounds were part of the center of everyday community life.

Lasted 500 years. The Mississippian period stretched from around the year 1000 until about the 1500s, giving this culture time to develop complex cities and impressive building projects across the Southeast.