Question

artists conception of the city of cahokia, near modern-day st. louis. at its peak around 1100 ce, cahokia had 20,000 residents. image credit: wikimedia commons
which of the following conclusion might historians make about the mississippian people from the evidence of cahokia?
choose 1 answer:
a they were not sophisticated enough to build lasting structures.
b they lived in settled villages and farmed, allowing for the growth of large populations.
c they lived a nomadic lifestyle, following herds of animals across the plains.
d they preferred fishing for their food over farming.

Explanation:

• Option A: A city like Cahokia with 20,000 residents implies they could build structures, so A is wrong.
• Option B: A large settled population (20,000) in Cahokia suggests settled village life and farming (which supports large populations), so B is correct.
• Option C: Nomadic lifestyles don't support large, settled cities, so C is wrong.
• Option D: The evidence of a large city points to farming (for stable food) rather than just fishing, so D is wrong.

Answer:

B. They lived in settled villages and farmed, allowing for the growth of large populations.