The Moundbuilders by George R. Milner, Thames and Hudson, £28.00, ISBN 050002118X Reviewed by Nicholas Saunders
ACROSS eastern North America, from 3000 BC to the 16th century AD, native Amerindians’ monumental earthworks took different shapes for purposes that embraced politics, religion and burial. There can be no single explanation of these monuments, but archaeologists still identify these diverse prehistoric societies as “Moundbuilders”.
George Milner is an expert guide. He describes finds such as the “Great Mica Grave” at Mound City, Ohio, a glittering resting place for its cremated dead. He corrects popular misconceptions, noting that Cahokia, the greatest site of…
