Huff Archeological Site
Encyclopedia
Huff Archeological Site, also known as Huff State Historic Site, is a former fortified village of the Mandan, currently on the bank of Lake Oahe
in North Dakota. It dates back to about 1450 AD, and perhaps a thousand or more people once lived there. The village was probably only occupied for around 20 years. Residents of Huff Village relied on farming and bison hunting to survive.
The fortifications are primarily a rectangular moat and earthen wall, with bastions. The village including the fortifications covers about twelve acres. The site has been owned by the state of North Dakota since 1910. The site has been fenced, signed, and open to the public.
As an archaeological site
, it has yielded and is expected to yield knowledge about the prehistory in which Mandan culture developed. Although already excavated in parts, and partially eroded by Lake Oahe, other parts of the site have high integrity and potential.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1997.
Lake Oahe
Lake Oahe is a large reservoir behind Oahe Dam on the Missouri River beginning in central South Dakota and continuing north into North Dakota in the United States. The lake has an area of and a maximum depth of . By volume, it is the fourth-largest reservoir in the US. Lake Oahe has a length of...
in North Dakota. It dates back to about 1450 AD, and perhaps a thousand or more people once lived there. The village was probably only occupied for around 20 years. Residents of Huff Village relied on farming and bison hunting to survive.
The fortifications are primarily a rectangular moat and earthen wall, with bastions. The village including the fortifications covers about twelve acres. The site has been owned by the state of North Dakota since 1910. The site has been fenced, signed, and open to the public.
As an archaeological site
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
, it has yielded and is expected to yield knowledge about the prehistory in which Mandan culture developed. Although already excavated in parts, and partially eroded by Lake Oahe, other parts of the site have high integrity and potential.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1997.