Great Cities

Civilization and advanced culture were abundant in North America in pre-Columbian times. This map depicts a selection of archaeological sites — often called mounds and earthworks — that exists in some form today on public and private land. The sites generally follow the great waterways throughout what is today the central and eastern U.S. and represent a mere fraction of what once existed. Because of intense modification of the landscape due to agriculture and westward expansion post-Columbus, nearly all sites were destroyed. It is generally believed that 5% or less remains today.

The map is designed to be placed in a glass frame so the owner can add to and edit it by hand over time as they continue their research.