A large change in prehistoric Indian culture started to take place just before 1000 A.D. By this time people had lived in the Middle Southeast for over 10,000 years since the first groups of hunters came into this region in persuit of the bigger animals such as mastadon and bison. Over the years, aboriginal culture went through many different transitions as the influence from other areas intensified. The last major wave of such influence just before …showed first 75 words of 1144 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1144 total…De Soto's exploration of the Southeast in the 1540's. The cause for the abondonment and decline are still unknown. Some people think it could be plauge, warfare, or rebellion, but the cause or csuses must have been more serious since the abandonment and decline was so rapid and widespread. It most likely will take the effort of many future archaeologists to put together the event or events thet caused the end of the Mississippian culture.