Understanding Identity Negotiation During Episodes of Culture Contact In America’s First City This dissertation examines cultural change that occurs when complex societies coalesce. As migration due to war, violence, and climate change increases, archaeology helps us understand how migrants negotiate identity through material culture. Ceramics reveal shifts in production, consumption, and use before and after contact events, reflecting social, religious, and economic ties. This study explores ceramic choices at Cahokia, North America’s first city, and its hinterland using vessel shape, iconography, and chemical analyses. By comparing pottery before and after Cahokia’s rise, the research assesses migration patterns and community changes demonstrating what it means to be “Mississippian” during a major indigenous movement.