Aztalan

Aztalan is an ancient Native American settlement located in the present-day United States. It is situated in southeastern Wisconsin, specifically in Jefferson County, along the banks of the Crawfish River. Aztalan is a significant archaeological site that provides valuable insights into the Mississippian culture, which thrived in the region from approximately 1000 to 1300 AD.

At its peak, Aztalan covered an area of about 20 acres and was fortified with wooden palisades and defensive walls. The settlement consisted of numerous structures, including residential dwellings, ceremonial buildings, and a large central plaza. The inhabitants of Aztalan were skilled farmers who cultivated maize, beans, and squash, and supplemented their diet through hunting and gathering.

One of the most distinctive features of Aztalan is its large, flat-topped earthen pyramids known as platform mounds. These mounds served various purposes, such as religious ceremonies, elite residences, and communal gathering spaces. The largest mound, known as the North Mound, reaches a height of approximately 20 feet and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.