Missouri River Resources
Double Ditch State Historic Site
The Missouri River valley provided water, food, and shelter for the Mandans. Abundant timber and game could be found in the wooded bottomlands, and bison flourished on the surrounding prairie grasslands. The terrace edge setting of the villages offered access to garden land and abundant timber as well as extensive use up and down the valley. The Missouri River has long served as a major travel route.
Farming or Horticulture
The Mandans are one of the best known agricultural tribes of the Missouri Valley. Farming produced a large surplus of food which could be stored for use during leaner times and traded to nomadic non-farming groups. Principal crops include corn, beans, and squash. Sunflowers and tobacco also were grown. Horticulture combined with bison hunting resulted in a diversified and flexible economy.
Hunting and Fishing
In the archaeological record the dominant role of bison, hunted for their hides and meat, is evident. Other animals are also hunted and trapped, including pronghorns, deer, wolves, rabbits, beavers, muskrats, porcupines, foxes, minks, badgers, and bobcats. A diverse variety of birds (waterfowl, hawks and eagles, grouse, cranes, owls, woodpeckers, crows, ravens, and small songbirds) and fishes (sturgeons, gars, mooneyes, pikes, suckers,
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Photo captions
Bottom left: Owl Woman slicing squash
Upper right: Gardening with bone hoe in the floodplain
Lower right: Entering a catfish trap with willow fishing basket
Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Native Americans.
Location. 46° 56.048′ N, 100° 53.924′ W. Marker is near Bismarck, North Dakota, in Burleigh County. Marker can be reached from North Dakota Route 1804. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bismarck ND 58503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Geophysical Prospecting in Archaeology (within shouting distance of this marker); Ditch 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Final Occupation of Double Ditch (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Double Ditch State Historic Site (about 400 feet away); Archaeological Excavations in 1905
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2020, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
