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

Non-Destructive Ways to See Underground

Huff Indian Village State Historic Site

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 21, 2025

1. Non-Destructive Ways to See Underground Marker

Captions: (top left) Magnetic survey overlaid on an aerial photograph of Huff Village.; (top middle) Magnetic results at Huff Village and interpretation of the major magnetic anomalies with visible surface features plotted.; The magnetic data from the vicinity of House 19. (bottom left) Computer generated contour map and related three-dimensional view of House 19 surface depression.; (bottom center) Contour map of the House 19 surface depression produced by W. Raymond Wood in 1960.; (bottom right) Interpretive plan map of the House 19 area based on the one-inch diameter coring program.

Inscription. Archaeologist refer to the long, shallow depression just in front and to the right of you as House 19. It is what remains of a house after it collapsed many years after being abandoned. House 19 and the nearby area have been the focus of several minimally destructive archaeological studies. In 1960 investigator W. Raymon Wood created a contour map of the surface house depression, noting that it was "perhaps the most clearly defined house depression in the site." The image you see below is a three-dimensional map of House 19. Notice that House 19 is slightly wider on the side that is closet to you. This side was the house entrance. The entrances to these houses faced away from the river. Also, notice that this side of the house is higher than the opposite side. When occupied, the house may have has soil banked more heavily along this side.

Archaeologists conducted a magnetic gradiometer survey over House 19. This device measures small changes in the earth's magnetic field . To the upper right is a map of the findings. A generally raised magnetic signal across House 19's floor and in the entrance are suggests that this house, like others in the village, burned to the ground.

To more fully understand the magnetic gradiometer's result, archaeologists used a one-inch diameter soil coring tool to probe various locations

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in House 19. The coring results confirmed most of the magnetic gradiometer's findings. Compare this plan map to the above magnetic data documenting features in the house.

Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 37.12′ N, 100° 38.524′ W. Marker is near Huff, North Dakota, in Morton County. It can be reached from State Highway 1806 near 11th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5525 Highway 1806, 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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Plaza and Ceremonial Lodge (a few steps from this marker); Houses and Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Archaeological Excavations of Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Archaeological Excavations of Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); Remote Sensing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cache Pit and Village Subsistence (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 21, 2025

2. Non-Destructive Ways to See Underground Marker

Marker in the distance.

marker); Animal Remains Found in Cache Pits (within shouting distance of this marker); Village Fortifications and Human Conflict (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huff.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 10, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.