Cahokia Mounds National Historic Site preserves the remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric civilization in early America. The city of Cahokia existed from circa 1000 to 1350 CE and at its height rivaled London in population. Eighty earthen mounds are spread out over 2000 acres, all of them dwarfed by the massive Monks Mound, a four-terraced, ten-story ceremonial structure that looms over the grounds. A world-class interpretive center tells the story of Cahokia perfectly for everyone from enthusiasts to small children, and multiple trails wander through the park to mounds, lakes, and wooded areas. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Cahokia Mounds may well be designated a national park in the next couple of years. A must stop just east of St. Louis and just five miles south of I-70.
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