The Phase I Archeological Research Program for the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, Vol. 1

This book presents findings from an archaeological research program conducted at the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site. The research aimed to illuminate the archaeological and historical record of Hidatsa and Mandan Native American groups in the region. The program involved excavation and analysis of sites, mapping, and aerial photography. The collected data has been used to revise the culture-history of the northern portion of the Middle Missouri subarea. The excavation of three major sites, Sakakawea, Big Hidatsa, and Lower Hidatsa Villages, has provided detailed information about the depth, age, and complexity of cultural deposits at each site. Test excavations at other sites in the park have helped identify previously unknown prehistoric cultural components and provided insights into the development of the area over time. The book's findings challenge previous assumptions about the area and shed new light on the lives of the Hidatsa and Mandan people who lived in the region for centuries.