Archaeology

Indigenous Americans ruled democratically long before the U.S. did

The Muscogee promoted rule by the people long before the U.S. Constitution was written

A painting of a Muscogee (Creek) village in the 1790s shows a circular council house next to four clan structures positioned around a square. The village is on the banks of a pond and surrounded by trees.

This historically informed painting of a Muscogee (Creek) village in the 1790s includes a winter council house, far right, next to a square ground bordered by four clan structures. Muscogee people have practiced democratic decision making in similar council houses for at least 1,500 years, researchers say.

Dori DeCamillis

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

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