2. Evidence of Complex Social Hierarchy
Excavations at Cahokia Mounds have uncovered burials and artifacts that demonstrate a complex social hierarchy. High-status individuals were interred with exotic goods, including marine shell ornaments sourced from the distant Gulf Coast—clear evidence of both long-distance trade and marked class distinctions. This level of social stratification closely mirrors the hierarchical systems seen at sites such as Chichen Itza. For more details, see the comprehensive analysis in Smithsonian Magazine.
