October
28
/ 2023
In the quest to uncover the mystery behind the fall of the once-vibrant Cahokia, archaeologists have turned to an unexpected source: tree ring records, aka dendrochronology. By 1150 AD, Cahokia, once a thriving city, found itself under siege, its people on the brink of a violent internal conflict, and a mass exodus began. What lay at the heart of this turmoil that spelled the end for this grand city? Analysis points to a surprising culprit – climate. Unveiling a hidden truth within tree ring data, it became evident that around 1150, the tree rings began to narrow significantly, signifying extended periods of dry weather, possibly due to several severe droughts. This climatic shift coincided with the beginning of Cahokia's decline
