Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site damaged by heavy equipment despite preservation rules. Large tracked caterpillar vehicles were placed on top of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, described as one of the largest mounds officially known in the world Approximately 80,000 cubic feet of mound material was removed and dumped in heaps down the road Workers hit artifacts and cedar posts during excavation
This is heartbreaking. Large caterpillar vehicles were placed atop Cahokia Mounds — one of the largest known earthworks in the world. Workers hit artifacts and cedar posts while removing ~80,000 cubic feet of mound material, dumping it in heaps nearby. The work was approved under a "no adverse effect" permit with zero archaeological oversight, and the removed material was never processed despite requirements. The international community raised dozens of objections before work began. This site, spanning roughly 1500–500 BC, deserved so much better. 🏺
Key Facts
- Large tracked caterpillar vehicles were placed on top of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, described as one of the largest mounds officially known in the world
- Approximately 80,000 cubic feet of mound material was removed and dumped in heaps down the road
- Workers hit artifacts and cedar posts during excavation
- The project was approved under a "no adverse effect" permit with no archaeological permit issued
- International archaeological community objected and wrote dozens of letters before work began
- Vincent filed a Freedom of Information Act request; the permit required processing removed material but this was not done
Related site: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Shaman and The Philosopher. Ep.24 by Institute for Natural Philosophy