Caddoan Mississippian culture

[1] The Caddoan Mississippians covered a large territory, including what is now Eastern Oklahoma, Western Arkansas, Northeast Texas, Southwest Missouri and Northwest Louisiana of the United States.

This hierarchical structure is marked in the archaeological record by the appearance of large tombs with exotic grave offerings of obvious symbols of authority and prestige.

This included the increased prominence of ritual centers and the development of a more stratified social hierarchy, with some lineage and kin groups exerting more control over the community.

[4] By 1200 CE, the numerous villages, hamlets, and farmsteads established throughout the Caddo world had begun extensive maize agriculture.

Since the late 20th century, recent excavations have revealed more cultural diversity within the region than had been expected by scholars, particularly in sites along the Arkansas River.

Living on the western edge of the Mississippian world, the Caddoans may have faced fewer military threats from other peoples.

A more dispersed settlement system developed, with the bulk of the people living on scattered homesteads and small farms rather than in large villages.

The earlier broad cultural unity of the area also began to break down, with many distinct local variations developing.

[5] Other materials from trade included wood, basketry, woven fabric, lace, fur, feathers, and carved stone statues.

Many featured the elaborate symbolism of the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex, a multiregional and pan-linguistic trade and religious network.

Archaeological finds, as well as later Spanish records, also indicate that Caddoan peoples had contact with southwestern groups such as the Jumanos and Puebloans, with whom they traded for turquoise and cotton fabrics.

[7] Using these valued materials, Mississippian artists created exquisite works of art expressing their cultural identity and their complex spiritual beliefs.

When the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto led an expedition into the southeastern region of North America in the 1540s, his party encountered Native American groups recorded as the Naguatex, Nishone, Hacanac, and Nondacao.

[13] Over the next 250 years the population of these Caddoan-speaking peoples was severely reduced by epidemics of infectious diseases inadvertently brought by Spanish and French colonists and spread by indigenous trading networks.