The name refers to one of the clans of the historic Illiniwek confederacy, who met early French explorers to the region. Early European settlers named the nearby (and long-abandoned) Cahokia Mounds in present-day Madison County after the Illini clan. But the UNESCO World Heritage Site and State Historic Park was developed by the Mississippian culture, active here from AD 900 to AD 1500 some connection to the clan is possible but unknown. The area was part of an extensive urban complex, the largest of the far flung Mississippian culture territory through the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys.
The name refers to one of the clans of the historic Illiniwek confederacy who met early French explorers to the region Early European settlers named the nearby (and long-abandoned) Cahokia Mounds in present-day Madison County after the Illini clan But the UNESCO World Heritage Site and State Historic Park was developed by the Mississippian culture active here from AD 900 to AD 1500 some connection to the clan is possible but unknown The area was part of an extensive urban complex the largest of the far flung Mississippian culture territory through the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys