Prehistoric Indian Village National Historic Landmark, Mitchell, South Dakota

So while in Mitchell,  South Dakota,  visiting the Corn Palace, I began to wonder about a tiny road sign that I had barely spotted and almost missed. It was for what it said was an Ancient Indian Village. 

Admittedly, I wondered if this was another gimmick, perhaps like the Corn Palace felt like,  just a bit. 

As it turns out, however,this was real. Indeed, there were remains of what had once been a thriving small village of Native Americans. 

We entered, and my 17 year old son, who is still, for now,  a high school student, got in for free. 

First, we were shown a movie, about 25 or so minutes in length. It reviewed some of what is known of the early migration patterns of the Native peoples, and how they eventually found their way up to this part of what is now South Dakota. Also, how they brought their crops with them. 

They had a rich,  healthy,  and diverse diet, which consisted of various crops, fish, and meat from buffalo,  venison,  and many small creatures of the area. They lived close to the river,  of course,  but were subject to flooding and droughts alike,  much like people also are in our modern times. 

Eventually, they left,  abandoning the village. This was not because of war, but was in fact in the pre-contact days. Their homes were, in large part, made of timber, which is scarce in this region of the country. 

We visited the museum,  and then the larger building,  which houses the actual archaeological findings. It was quite a fascinating and informative experience. One that I actually much preferred to the more famous Corn Palace. 

In any case,  below are some pictures which I took of our visit to the museum and archaeological remains. 

Enjoy!