Huff in Morton County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Archaeological Excavations of Houses

— Huff Indian Village State Historic Site —

Photographed By Connor Olson, September 27, 2019

1. Archaeological Excavations of Houses Marker

Inscription. Archaeological excavations have occurred at Huff village in 1938-1939, 1959, 1960, and 1999. In all but the most recent work, focus has been on uncovering houses at Huff Village and understanding details of prehistoric architecture. The floors of l1 of the 103 or more houses at Huff Village have been completely exposed in excavation. Ten of these lay in a row along the riverbank behind you. These houses were excavated prior to grading the riverbank at a slope to stabilize it against erosion from Lake Oahe (previously the Missouri River).

Eight of the 11 excavated houses are remarkably similar in size and details of architecture. One house, House 9, while having a typical surface depression, did not present a formal construction plan or the layout of posts and pit features seen in most other houses. Another structure, House 12, revealed a very unusual floor plan unlike any of the other excavated structures. This structure is interpreted as reflecting an impending change in village-wide building codes. Another structure, House 2, was unique in its placement and size, and probably was a special-purpose community center of some kind.

Captions:
House 7 excavated in 1960
Plan Map of House 7
House 8 excavated in 1960
Plan map of House 8
Map of Huff Village showing the 1938-1939, 1959, and

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1960 excavations
Plan map of House 12
House 12 excavation in 1960

Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 46° 37.121′ N, 100° 38.494′ W. Marker is in Huff, North Dakota, in Morton County. Marker can be reached from North Dakota Route 1806, 0.6 miles north of County Road 136, on the right when traveling north. Located near Roughrider Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mandan ND 58554, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Village Fortifications and Human Conflict (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Huff Indian Village Dates to AD 1443-1465 (about 700 feet away); Huff Indian Village State Historic Site (about 700 feet away); Fort Rice (approx. 7.8 miles away); The Founding of Fort Rice (approx. 7.8 miles away); Fort Rice After General Sully's Expeditions (approx. 7.8 miles away); First Masonic Ceremony Held in the Present State of North Dakota (approx. 10.2 miles away); First News of Custer’s Death (approx. 14.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huff.

Also see . . . State Historical Society of North Dakota about the Huff Village State Historic Site.

Excavated House 12 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Connor Olson, September 27, 2019

2. Excavated House 12

(Submitted on January 10, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.