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 of Houses. . 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 1960 excavations , Plan map of House 12 , House 12 excavation in 1960
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 1960 excavations Plan map of House 12 House 12 excavation in 1960
Location. 46° 37.121′ N, 100° 38.494′ W. Marker is in Huff, North Dakota, in Morton County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is on the Missouri Plateau and in Greater Bismarck Area. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
