Cahokia and the Mississippi Mound Builders
Types of Cahokian Communities

Fowler has proposed four types of communities, based on research conducted in Cahokia.  The prominence and function of these types of communities is thought to have varied across various Mississippian Societies, with first-line communities most prominent in  Cahokia, Moundville, and Etowah.

First-Line Communities
The first-line community serves as the civic and ceremonial center of the region.  Cahokia is the first-line community of the American Bottom, with over 100 mounds (with Monk's Mound the largest).

Second-Line Communities
These have several mounds and, in the American Bottom are located approximately 20 km from Cahokia.  Cahokia was surrounded by four second-line communities.

Third-Line Communities
These have a single mound an a smaller area of habitation.  Cahokia was surrounded by five third-line communities.

Fourth-Line Communities
These have no mounds and are called hamlets or farmsteads.  There were approximately 100 fourth-line communities surrounding Cahokia.