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The Big Hidatsa site, occupied between ca. 1740 and 1850, is an earthlodge located in the 1,758 acre Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota, United States.[2][3] This National Historic Site was established in 1974 “to focus on the cultures and lifestyles of the Plains Indians”.[3][4][5]

Location

The Big Hidatsa site is located near the junction of the Knife and Missouri Rivers close to Stanton, North Dakota.[5] This location was a stop on the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Big Hidatsa was the largest village of the three on the site, with about 120 round earthlodges.[2] Fort Mandan was built about 2 miles away from Big Hidatsa by the Lewis and Clark expedition.[2]

History

The Big Hidatsa site and its neighbors are the villages at which Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery were assisted by Sacagawea during their expedition.[3] When the explorers arrived in winter 1804,[2] between 4,000 and 5,000 Hidatsa and Mandan lived in this area, and there were more than 200 lodges.[5] Each of these earthlodges could hold 20 to 30 people.[2]

After Fort Mandan was erected by the Discovery Corps, trading was conducted between the men of the expedition and people of Big Hidatsa.[2] In fact, some artifacts from the inhabitants of the nearby site and its neighbors were sent to President Thomas Jefferson.[2] Communications with the Hidatsa and Mandan people here provided invaluable information about the culture and history of the people in the west.[2]

Today

Depressions in the ground can be seen where the lodges once stood because the dirt surrounding the structures collapsed after it was abandoned.[3] Several invasive species, harmful tree fungus, and the erosion of the riverbank threaten the site.[5] The park has a rich collection of artifacts from the people who lived at the site.

The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is also a destination for canoeing and hiking.[6] Canoeists who frequent the Knife or Missouri rivers can pass through the park.

Notes

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h National Park Service Journal of Lewis and Clark
  3. ^ a b c d Knife River Indian Villages
  4. ^ National Park Service
  5. ^ a b c d National Parks Conservation Association
  6. ^ North Dakota Water Science Center

References

  1. “Big Hidatsa Village Site” [1], National Park Service Journal of Lewis and Clark, Retrieved 2012-11-18
  2. “Knife River Description” [2], North Dakota Water Science Center, Retrieved 2012-11-18
  3. Knife River Indian Villages, “History and Culture” [3], National Park Service, Retrieved 2012-11-18
  4. “Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site” [4], National Park Service Journal of Lewis and Clark, Retrieved 2012-11-18
  5. “Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site” [5], National Parks Conservation Association, Retrieved 2012-11-18
  6. “Knife River Indian Villages National Historical Site North Dakota” [6], Knife River Indian Villages, Retrieved 2012-11-18
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Hidatsa_Village_Site