Eaker site facts for kids
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Eaker site
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Overview of the site
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 Location in Arkansas
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Blytheville, Arkansas |
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| Area | 80 acres (32 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001048 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1992 |
| Designated NHL | June 19, 1996 |
The Eaker site is a very important archaeological place near Blytheville, Arkansas. An archaeological site is where scientists study old things left behind by people long ago. This site was named a National Historic Landmark in 1996. This means it's a special place that helps us understand American history.
The Eaker site was once a large village. It belonged to the Nodena phase people from the Late Mississippian period. This was a time in history from about 1350 to 1450 CE. CE stands for Common Era, which is like AD. The village was huge, covering about 50 acres. It had hundreds of buildings and was surrounded by a strong fence, called a palisade. People lived here for a long time, even as far back as 600 CE. Some experts think the Quapaw people lived here before they moved south.
Discovering the Eaker Site
The Eaker site is in northeastern Arkansas. It sits near Pemiscot Bayou, which is a small river that flows into the St. Francis River. For a long time, this area was mostly wild. Not many people lived or built things there before the 1900s.
Early Discoveries
Around 1900, farmers started to drain the swamps in the area. This was to make more land for farming. In 1942, the United States Air Force bought the land. It became part of Eaker Air Force Base.
The site was first noted in 1973. But its exact spot was not correct. In 1978, a person who studies old things as a hobby found samples from the site. This helped to correct its location.
Studying the Site
State archaeologists did quick checks of the site in 1980 and 1982. Then, in 1988, a full study was done. This study helped scientists figure out the exact size of the 80-acre site. They found many old items. They collected over 100 stone arrowheads and more than 2,000 pieces of broken pottery.
Scientists also used a special tool called a magnetometer. This tool can find things buried underground without digging. It helped them find many interesting features. They found signs of up to 400 old house sites. When they dug, they found places where people threw away trash. They also found old houses, workshops where tools were made, and human remains.
Damage to the Site
Sadly, some parts of the Eaker site were damaged. This happened soon after the Air Force took over in 1942. A large dirt hill, called a platform mound, was used. Its dirt was moved to help build the airfield runways. These are the long, flat areas where planes take off and land.
Today, there is still a mound-like shape in the northeast part of the site. Scientists believe this is what is left of that old platform mound. It reminds us of the village that once stood there.
