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

Archaeological Excavations of Houses

Huff Indian Village State Historic Site

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 21, 2025

1. Archaeological Excavations of Houses Marker

Captions: (top row, L to R) House 7 excavated in 1960.; Plan map of House 7.; House 8 excavated in 1960.; Plan map of House 8.; (bottom left) Map of Huff Village showing the 1938-1939, 1959, and 1960 excavations.; (bottom center) House 12 excavation in 1960.; (bottom right) Plan map of

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 11 of the 103 or more have been completely exposed in excavation. Ten of these lie in a row along the river bank 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. House 9, while having a typical surface depression, did not show a formal construction plan or the layout of posts and pit features seen in most other houses. Another structure, House 12, revealed an unusual floor plan unlike any of the others. 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.

Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.

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

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• Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 46° 37.121′ N, 100° 38.494′ W. Marker is near Huff, North Dakota, in Morton County. It can be reached from U.S. 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: A different marker also named Archaeological Excavations of Houses (here, next to this marker); Houses and Architecture (within shouting distance of this marker); Non-Destructive Ways to See Underground (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza and Ceremonial Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cache Pit and Village Subsistence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Animal Remains Found in Cache Pits (about 300 feet away); Remote Sensing (about 300 feet away); Village Fortifications and Human Conflict (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huff.

More about this marker. This marker replaces an earlier, but similar, marker.

Archaeological Excavations of Houses Marker (detail) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 21, 2025

2. Archaeological Excavations of Houses Marker (detail)

Map of Huff Village showing the 1938-1939, 1959, and 1960 excavations

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 21, 2025

3. Lake Oahe

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 47 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 10, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.