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Five hundred years ago, Illinois' climate became cooler than the preceding period and annual precipitation increased. For nearly three hundred years winters were longer, colder, and more snow fell. This period of the earth's climate is known as the Little Ice Age. It is not yet known if and how the Little Ice Age climate affected Native American life, but there are several differences in environment and culture that deserve more study. For example, corn agriculture appears to have been less productive. Perhaps its potential was decreased by a shorter growing season. Bison and elk became more common in Illinois. Perhaps they moved farther south and east to escape harsh winters. Large sections of some drainages, such as the Illinois River valley, appear to have been abandoned by Native Americans. Perhaps traditional ways of life were not sufficient to cope with the more severe winters. One thing is certain. Natural and social events during during Late Prehistory require much more study if we are to understand why the Mississippian life disappeared in Illinois.
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