Mississipian World
The Mississippian people (AD 800–1650) were the largest and most complex society to develop in the eastern half of North America. Living near rivers in the Midwest and Southeast, they created highly developed, agriculturally based communities that were mostly fortified and contained large earthen mounds and broad plazas. These towns and cities were the center of political, social, and ceremonial life in this period. Like many other cultures in the world, the Mississippians had a ranked society, which included commoners, warriors, ritual elite, and chiefs. These chiefs were often considered godlike by their people, sometimes referred to as the Sun. The economic basis for most of the Mississippian centers was the harvesting of flora (plants) and fauna (animals). Corn, or maize, was the dominant crop, but other plants, whether grown or gathered, such as beans, squash, sump weed, acorns, and sunflowers, played an important role. This plant-based diet was supplemented with large and small game, such as bison, deer, and rabbit, as well as fish.
Issaquena Disk
Preparations for a Feast
Scalloped-rim vessel
The Broiling of Their Fish over the Flame
Jar with incised hands
Incised shell gorget
Haley Complicated Incised jar
The Solemn Consecration of the Skin of a Stag to the Sun
Exercise of the Youths
Ceremonies Performed by the Satourioua before Setting off to War
The Erection of Trophies and the Ceremonies Intended to Celebrate the Defeat of the Enemy
The French Sail up the River in May
How the Floridians construct their fortified towns
Turtle effigy vessel
The Industry of the Floridians in Storing the Products of the Harvest
The Recreational Walks of the King and Queen
Raptor with human head effigy pipe
At the Beginning of a Campaign Outina Consults His Sorcerer
Cup with incised long bone and skull motifs
Funeral Ceremonies in Honor of King and Queens
How the Floridians Deliberate on Important Matters
Rattlesnake Disk
Engraved conch shell of falcon warrior
Animal effigy bottle of Underwater Panther
Engraved gorget with spider and cosmic motif
Kneeling figure effigy pipe
