Why did mound builders build burial mounds
Some were burial mounds; others were ceremonial or topped by elite houses and community buildings.
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/mounds/builders.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mound_builder_(people)
The Mound Builders, also known as the Mississippians, were a diverse group of Native American cultures that lived in the eastern and midwestern regions of North America between approximately 200 BCE and 1500 CE. They built complex societies and constructed various types of mounds, including burial mounds.
The reasons why the Mound Builders erected burial mounds are not fully understood, as there is limited direct evidence available. However, historians and archaeologists have proposed several theories based on their research:
1. Ancestor worship and religious beliefs: The Mound Builders may have believed in the spiritual significance of burial mounds. The mounds served as sacred sites where they buried their honored dead. They might have believed that the souls of the deceased would be closer to the spiritual realm when interred in these elevated mounds.
2. Social and political hierarchy: The construction of burial mounds could have been a manifestation of social and political hierarchies within Mound Builder societies. Larger and more elaborate mounds might have been reserved for prominent leaders or individuals of high status, such as chiefs or warriors, while smaller mounds could have been for common people.
3. Commemoration and memorialization: Burial mounds could have been created as commemorative structures to honor deceased individuals. They may have functioned as a way to preserve the memory and legacy of the dead, reinforcing their importance within Mound Builder communities.
It's important to note that these are just theories, and the exact motivations behind the construction of burial mounds by the Mound Builders might never be fully known. To gain a deeper understanding, researchers study the archaeological remains, artifacts, and cultural context associated with these mounds to piece together the puzzle of the Mound Builder societies.