In the Mississippi Valley, researchers have discovered a cache of 1,500-year-old mica-dusted clay masks buried beneath a ceremonial mound. The masks, which shimmer under torchlight, are believed to have been used during the "Festival of the Winter Moon" to represent the spirits of the night sky.
The use of mica, sourced from the Appalachian mountains hundreds of miles away, indicates the high status of these ritual objects and the extensive trade networks involved in preparing for regional festivals. This find sheds new light on the visual and material splendor of Mississippian cultural traditions during seasonal shifts.