Increased social control increased territoriality and warfare. Kinship was matrilineal. Towns in late Mississippian had more than one lineage. Clans were also important. A clan is a an organized group of lineages who recognize an animal or natural feature as a common ancestor.
Clans are usually exogamous.
C. Economic base. The increased population was made possible by increased agriculture and dependence on new varieties of corn and beans. Radical changes in pottery styles. The most basic change was the incorporation of mussel shell for tempering of the pottery. Highly stylized animal motifs are present on ornaments of the Mississippian period.