The Oxbow Archaeologists
Michigan Archaeology at
Chippewa Nature Center
Midland, Michigan
An Affiliate Group of Chippewa Nature Center
Links:
Chippewa Nature Center Homepage
The Michigan Archaeological Society Homepage
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 ended the 2008 field season at the Sias East site in early November. We are currently doing lab work (sorting and washing artifacts) at CNC's Resource Building on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. We plan on returning to the Sias East site in 2009 as well as conducting test excavations elsewhere at CNC!
There will not be a Speaker Series in winter 2009 due to CNC's Visitor Center Renovation.
To find out about the Sias East site or the 2008 season, follow these links: SIAS EAST and 2008 SEASON. Artifacts from the Sias East site may be viewed on this page: SIAS EAST ARTIFACTS.
In December 2008 we got the results of a C-14 on a Middle Woodland vessel (picture below) that we found in August. The date was 380 A.D. Follow this link for more information: MIDDLE WOODLAND C-14 DATE.
Rimsherd found at the Sias East site and dated to about 380 A.D
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.
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Copyright © 2003-2008, 2009 Chippewa Nature Center and the Oxbow Archaeologists.
Website designed and maintained by Scott Beld (sbeld@umich.edu).
Last updated Thursday, January 1, 2009.