Good Archaeology

As the Corps proceeded north they found further evidence of the Mandan migration. Just north of Bismark is the Double Ditch Indian village. This refers to a village that had several concentric circular ditches around it serving as defensive "moats." Archaeologists started working these ruins in 1905.

They have recently used aerial photography and magnetic and resistive sensing to study the extent of the fortifications.

And the rings and depressions where the lodges were are evident visually.

Gail and Doc waited patiently for John to catch up.

This is a good view of one of the sand bars like the one that nearly sank the boats in the middle of the night.








As the winter was hard upon them, the Corps was searching for a place to spend the winter. They decided upon a place at the mouth of the Knife River where there were five Indian villages. Since they had been welcomed with open arms by the Aricara, Hidatsa and Mandan tribes, this place with three Hidatsa and two Mandan villages was perfect.

These three pictures show the depressions made by huts at one of the Hidatsa villages on the Knife River.

These are some wildflowers Gail just had to pick.

Tomorrow we are off to see a replica of Fort Mandan, a very important site, as it is where the Corps spent the winter of 2004-2005.