Edgewater Park Site facts for kids
The Edgewater Park Site is a really old campsite in Coralville, Iowa. About 3,800 years ago, people from the Late Archaic period lived here. This was a time when people were just starting to learn how to grow their own food.
Archaeologists found clues that show these ancient people were beginning to farm. They also found signs of where people cooked, made tools, and threw away their trash. This site helps us understand how early people lived and moved around in Iowa.
Contents
The Edgewater Park Site: A Glimpse into Ancient Life
The Edgewater Park Site is a special place for archaeologists. It gives us a peek into how people lived thousands of years ago. It's located right along the Iowa River in Coralville, Iowa, United States.
What Was Found There?
When archaeologists dug at the site, they found a small camp. It had two hearths, which are like ancient fireplaces. These were used for cooking and keeping warm. They also found areas where people worked with animal bones and made stone tools.
Other interesting discoveries included:
- A place where people threw away their trash.
- A deep hole that archaeologists are still trying to figure out.
What Did People Eat?
Scientists studied the plant remains found at the site. They learned that the people lived there during the warmer parts of the year. They also found two important plants:
- Little barley: This plant wasn't native to the area. It was later grown by people as a crop.
- Barnyard grass: This plant grew locally. It was also likely grown as food later on.
These findings suggest that the people at Edgewater Park were among the first to experiment with growing their own food.
Who Lived at Edgewater Park?
By studying the stone tools, experts believe these people had recently traveled. They likely came down the Iowa River from the northern part of the state. They were probably finishing up their tools or fixing them at this camp.
Archaeologists think this was a short-term camp. The people stayed for a little while during the late warm season. They might have been moving south along the Iowa River. Perhaps they were heading to winter camps in what is now southeastern Iowa. The Edgewater Park Site helps us understand how ancient people moved and lived in Iowa.
