1. The Mass Child Graves of Cahokia
At the ancient city of Cahokia in present-day Illinois, archaeologists uncovered mass graves of children—a discovery that shocked the world. These burials suggest that child sacrifice played a role in local spiritual ceremonies. The arrangement and treatment of the remains point to organized rituals, reflecting a belief system where innocence was offered to appease higher powers. Such findings cast a shadow over the Mississippian culture’s achievements.
