During the stabilization of a ritual mound at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, archaeologists found a rare bundle of wood-carved masks. These artifacts, carved from rot-resistant cedar, are uniquely adorned with a shimmering dust made of ground mica, giving the faces a spectral, metallic sheen. The masks feature stylized human and feline features, representing the transformation of ancestors into powerful spirit beings.
These masks are believed to have been worn during the "Great Sun" festival, an annual event where the living community honored the lineage of the Mound-builders. The use of mica—a material traded from the Appalachian Mountains—underscores the prestige and economic reach involved in these ancient celebrations. This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the actual costumes and performance arts of the Mississippian culture at its peak.