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A lavishly illustrated look at a unique form of pottery created 1500 years ago by Mound Builders

living in the Mississippi River Valley of Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. Hundreds of full color photographs illustrate the varied forms and are accompanied by detailed descriptions. These combinations of animal, bird, reptilian, and human characteristics archaeologists and relic diggers called "cat-monsters" or "cat-serpents" were sculpted into bowls, incised on bottles, and painted on cave walls. They represented mythical creatures who were an integral part of the religion of pre-Columbian Native Americans living throughout the Southeastern and Central United States. Thoughtful articles interpreting the mythology and traditions of the Dhegihan people of the Mississippian Culture bring a new understanding to the symbolism of the Cat Serpent effigies.