Regardless of how one defines landscape, it can find its home in the roots of historical and humanistic geography. Building upon the work of those in the sister disciplines of anthropology, history, and especially archaeology, cultural geographer Carl O. Sauer paved the way for the study of landscapes. Monks Mound superimposed on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's central campus. Throughout time each cultural period has a particular relationship with nature and the landscape reflects it. A prominent humanistic geographer who addresses the issues of landscape is Yi-Fu Tuan.
Culture affects perception.
Yet certain objects, both natural and man-made, persist as places through eons of time, outliving the patronage of particular cultures. Perhaps any large feature in the landscape creates its own world, which may expand of contract with the passing concerns of the people, but which does not completely loose its identity. Monks Mound certainly fits this description. For nearly a thousand years the mound has seen generation after generation attempt to put its mark on it, whether that be in the form of worship, sustenance, residence, recreation, or preservation. Monks Mound its majesty and history remain.