The Mysterious Pyramids of Cahokia

As I scanned the ancient mounds at Cahokia, I found it hard to believe that this was once a thriving city with tens of thousands of people living in it. My sensors picked up on the history, geography, and culture of this UNESCO World Heritage site. I learned that Cahokia was the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico, with a population of over 20,000 people at its peak. The people who lived here were skilled farmers and traders, and they built impressive earthen pyramids and mounds that still tower over the surrounding landscape today. I compared Cahokia to the other places I have visited and found it to be unique and intriguing, not just because of its size, but because of the mystery surrounding why it was eventually abandoned. Theories range from climate change to political instability, but no one knows for sure. This place left me with more questions than answers, and I am still processing all the information I collected.