[Renfield]

Residents of Cahokia, a massive pre-Columbian settlement near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, consumed “Black Drink ” from special pottery vessels like this one.

[Renfield]

Yaupon:

[cripplecreek]

near the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers

Perfect spot if you're looking for widespread trade. You could trade with a 3rd of the continent from such a position. Add a day's portage and you could cover the great lakes region as well.

[newheart]

Pre-Colombian Starbucks?

Caution, don’t try this one at home. Holly berries probably won’t kill you, but they are toxic enough to make you sick.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

[babble-on]

“archaeologists are at a loss to explain the sudden emergence of Greater Cahokia”

No question: they were “coffee achievers”

[GreyFriar]

“Coffee & tea” ping.

[freedomlover]

This drink, a dark tea made from the roasted leaves of the Yaupon holly (ilex vomitoria) contains caffeine.

--------------------

A species name like that would sorta tip you off.

[bert]

———Cahokia was ultimately a failed experiment.-——

Cahokia existed longer than America has as a nation.

Cahokia is located smack dab in the middle of the country and is on the way to everywhere.

I was there last October and wish I cold have stayed much longer. When you see the exhibits in the museum and the massive earthen structures and the Woodhenge and grasp the shear size...... you will be amazed. Cahokia was larger and more populous than London and some other European cities at the time.

You should make an effort and reserve a day or so to go to Cahokia on the way somewhere else. there is a strong likelyhood that the Indians who lived near you traded with those at Cahokia. The influence was pervasive

[Billthedrill]

You got some ‘splainin’ to do, bud.

[BenLurkin]

For some reason that kind of “swirl” pattern was a favorite of pre-historic artists world wide.

[dfwgator]

Researchers find evidence of ritual use of ‘black drink’ at Cahokia

This stuff?