Archaeology in South Dakota

Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, Mitchell

A tour of the Thomsen Center Archeodome reveals life in a 1,000-year-old village. Previous excavations at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village site have uncovered evidence of everything from the food the villagers ate to the tools they used. The Boehnen Museum and Patton Gallery display a model of what the village may have looked like and also a life-size reconstructed lodge.

A team of British fieldworkers is on hand July 5–Aug. 4 to excavate and map the site, as well as clean artifacts. The dig takes place Monday–Saturday each week and the public is invited to observe and learn more about the excitement of archaeological discovery.

Admission charged. Call (605) 996-5473 or visit MitchellIndianVillage.org for more information.

Burghduff Bison Kill - Northwestern South Dakota

The discovery of three Alberta points in the northwestern corner of the state led to the uncovering of a 9,000-year-old bison kill site. Two small units have been placed at the site since it was first uncovered. So far, the site has yielded numerous bison bones and appears to have been a bison kill event. Additional excavations will determine if this was a communal event from populations across the northern and western plains or a small band of local inhabitants.

Volunteers are invited to take part in this excavation. Call (605) 394 1936 or e-mail mike.fosha@state.sd.us for dig dates.