INDIGENOUS HISTORICAL SITES

From ancient mounds to cliff dwellings, five Native American locations worth visiting

1 KNIFE RIVER INDIAN VILLAGES NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

NORTH DAKOTA

Located in North Dakota, Knife River historical site allows visitors to explore the remains of several indigenous settlements. In particular there can be seen the remains of two villages belonging to the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes. These tribes built vast settlements of earth lodges, the largest of which (according to the National Park Service) comprised 120 of these dwellings. However, in 1837 both of these villages were all but wiped out by a deadly outbreak of smallpox.

As well as archaeological remnants, the site also includes a reconstructed earth lodge. Indigenous tribes in this area built these dwellings and according to the National Park Service, they could house up to 20 people. These structures were built by first constructing a central wooden frame and then covering it in branches, dried grass and grass-covered mud. This gave the structure the appearance of a small hillock. Interestingly, the building of the earth lodge would have been largely overseen by the women of the tribe.

Opening hours vary between 8am and 5pm, depending on the season. Admission is free.

2 LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT

MONTANA

On 25 and 26 June 1876, the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place between the United States army led by General Custer, and Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. For some time, indigenous peoples were being forced off their lands and onto reservations, motivated partially by the discovery of gold in these areas and also a desire for further expansion. When the Sioux and Cheyenne did not relocate as instructed, Custer and his troops were sent to confront them. However, their relatively small force was quickly outnumbered and Custer and his men were massacred in the battle.