Cleek–McCabe site facts for kids
| Location | Walton, Kentucky, Boone County, Kentucky,  USA |
|---|---|
| Region | Boone County, Kentucky |
| History | |
| Cultures | Fort Ancient culture |
The Cleek–McCabe site is an ancient place where people once lived. It's an archaeological site, which means it's a spot where scientists called archaeologists dig to find clues about the past. This site was home to people of the Fort Ancient culture. They lived here between the years 1200 and 1400 CE (which stands for Common Era, like AD).
You can find this site near Walton, Kentucky, in Boone County, Kentucky. It's located close to a stream called Mud Lick Creek, about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the big Ohio River. The Cleek–McCabe site isn't just one thing; it includes a village and two large mounds.
Exploring the Ancient Village
The Cleek–McCabe site was a village (known as Cleek 15Be22). It had a large, open circular area in the middle, like a town square, about 50 metres (160 ft) to 60 metres (200 ft) wide. This open space is called a plaza. At each end of this plaza, there was a large mound built by the people who lived there. One mound is called Cleek Mound (15Be23) and the other is McCabe Mound (15Be8).
McCabe Mound: A Glimpse into the Past
The McCabe Mound (15Be8) is one of the most studied mounds from the Fort Ancient culture. It was partly dug up in the 1930s by a team from the University of Kentucky, led by William S. Webb. Before they started digging, the mound was about 30 metres (98 ft) wide and 1 metre (3.3 ft) tall.
Archaeologists found that the mound was built using different materials. These included clean clay, layers of old trash (called a midden), and flat limestone rocks. Underneath the mound, the excavators from the WPA found an even older village midden. Since the trash in the mound and under it was similar, scientists think the mound was built quite quickly.
Inside the McCabe Mound, archaeologists made an amazing discovery: the remains of 21 people! Most were found in a "flexed" or "semi-flexed" position, meaning their knees were bent towards their chest, like they were sleeping. A few were in an "extended" position, lying flat.
Underneath the mound, they also found marks in the ground called "postholes." These are spots where wooden posts once stood, showing where three buildings used to be. The oldest building was round, about 13 metres (43 ft) across. On top of this, there were two rectangular buildings. These might have been one building that was rebuilt, or two different buildings from different times. The larger one was 17 metres (56 ft) by 29 metres (95 ft), and the smaller one was 12 metres (39 ft) by 24 metres (79 ft).
Inside these buildings, there were large circular fireplaces and special floor areas. Because these buildings were so big and didn't have much everyday trash around them, archaeologists believe they were used for special community events or as a charnel house, a place where bones were kept.
Cleek Mound: Still a Mystery
The other mound at the site, the Cleek Mound (15Be23), is about 24 metres (79 ft) wide and 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall. This mound has never been excavated. So, archaeologists don't know if it also holds burials like the McCabe Mound, or if it covers other special buildings. It remains a mystery waiting to be explored!
