Clear Lake Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Clear Lake Site
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Junction of 1200E and 2600N in Sand Ridge State Park Manito, Mason County, Illinois, USA |
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| Area | 9.5 acres (3.8 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001171 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1978 |
The Clear Lake Site is an important archaeological site. It is found in Sand Ridge State Park near Manito, Illinois. This special place was home to different groups of ancient people for a very long time. They lived here from about 500 BC to 1500 AD.
Many ancient cultures lived at the Clear Lake Site. These included the Early Woodland, Havana Hopewell, and Mississippian people. The site has a village area where people lived. It also has two burial mounds. These mounds are like ancient hills built for burials.
Scientists from the University of Chicago first studied the site in 1932. Later, George and Ethel Schoenbeck did more digs. They found 24,000 pieces of broken pottery! These pieces show all the different kinds of pottery made in Central Illinois back then. The Illinois State Museum received all these amazing finds. They also did their own studies at the site in the 1950s.
The Clear Lake Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1978. This means it is a very important historical place.
What is the Clear Lake Site?
The Clear Lake Site is a special place where archaeologists learn about the past. It is located in Sand Ridge State Park in Illinois. This site helps us understand how ancient people lived. It shows us their homes, tools, and even their burial customs.
Who Lived at Clear Lake?
Many different groups of people lived at the Clear Lake Site. They lived there over a period of 2,000 years. Each group left behind clues about their way of life. Scientists study these clues to piece together history.
Early People: Woodland Culture
The first people to live at Clear Lake were from the Early Woodland period. This was around 500 BC. They were hunter-gatherers. They used simple tools and made early forms of pottery.
Hopewell People: Havana Culture
Later, the Havana Hopewell culture lived at the site. This group was known for its complex art and trade networks. They created beautiful pottery and tools. They also built large burial mounds.
Mississippian Culture: Later Inhabitants
The last major group was the Mississippian culture. They lived here until about 1500 AD. Mississippian people were farmers. They built large towns and had a complex society. They also made unique pottery and tools.
Exploring the Site: Digging Up the Past
Archaeologists have been studying the Clear Lake Site for many years. They carefully dig up artifacts. These artifacts are like puzzle pieces from the past. Each piece helps us understand ancient life.
Early Discoveries: University of Chicago
The first big studies at Clear Lake happened in 1932. Scientists from the University of Chicago led these early digs. They started to uncover the secrets of the site. Their work showed how old and important the site was.
Amazing Finds: The Schoenbecks' Work
George and Ethel Schoenbeck were very important to the site's study. They were not professional archaeologists. But they spent a lot of time digging at Clear Lake. They found an incredible 24,000 pieces of pottery. These pieces showed all the different pottery styles used in the area.
Illinois State Museum's Role
The Schoenbecks gave all their finds to the Illinois State Museum. This museum is a great place for historical artifacts. The museum then did its own studies at the site. This helped them learn even more about the ancient people.
Why is Clear Lake Site Important?
The Clear Lake Site is very important for understanding history. It shows how different cultures lived in the same place over time. The many artifacts found here tell us about their daily lives. They also teach us about their art, tools, and beliefs. It is a valuable window into the ancient past of Illinois.
