THE OXBOW ARCHAEOLOGISTS

The Oxbow Archaeologists

Michigan Archaeology at

Chippewa Nature Center

Midland, Michigan

An Affiliate Group of Chippewa Nature Center

Links:

The Oxbow Archaeologists are a professionally mentored group of avocational archaeologists. Our goal is to help the general public understand Midland County's cultural heritage by excavating and interpreting Chippewa Nature Center's archaeological remains. This falls within Chippewa Nature Center's mission of facilitating the enjoyment and understanding of our natural and cultural resources as relevant to the Saginaw Valley ecosystems, to promote environmental awareness, and to foster responsible stewardship.

We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 P.M. and Saturdays starting at 9:00 A.M. in the Resource Building at Chippewa Nature Center. For information on participating, contact Chippewa Nature Center at 989-631-0830.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

The Oxbow Archaeologists are currently conducting excavations at the Sias East site under the direction of Dr. Scott Beld. We made it out to the site on Saturday (May 21) and began the 2011 season. To find out more, follow this link or click on the picture: MAY 21, 2011.

To find out about the Sias East site or the 2011 season, follow these links: SIAS EAST and 2011 SEASON. Artifacts from the Sias East site may be viewed on this page: SIAS EAST ARTIFACTS.

Biface found at the Sias East site on Saturday (May 21, 2011).

PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGY AT CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER

For thousands of years Native Americans camped along the banks of the Chippewa and Pine rivers. Remains of their campsites have been found at several locations on the grounds of CNC! In the 1970's excavations were conducted at two of these sites, SUMAC BLUFF and Naugle. CNC also curates the collection from the Paleo-Indian BARNES SITE. The Oxbow Archaeologists are currently excavating at the stratified SIAS EAST site.

HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY AT CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER

The Oxbow Archaeologists are conducting research on historic period archaeological sites under the direction of Dr. Scott Beld. We have excavated at THE PONTON SITE, an 1830's settler occupation, THE CATER SITE, an early nineteenth century Chippewa occupation and an 1840's settler occupation, as well as 20MD534, another early nineteenth century Chippewa occupation. Follow the links on this page to explore these sites and other Oxbow activities.

Return to Chippewa Nature Center.

Return to the Michigan Archaeological Society.

Website designed and maintained by Scott Beld (sbeld@umich.edu).

Last updated Monday, May 23, 2011.