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Glenwood Archeological District
Earth Lodge entrance.jpg
Reconstruction of an earth lodge
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Nearest city Glenwood, Iowa
MPS Archeological Resources of the Central Plains Tradition in the Loess Hills Region of Iowa MPS
NRHP reference No. 13000296
Added to NRHP May 22, 2013

The Glenwood Archeological District is a very special place in Iowa, near the town of Glenwood, Iowa. It's like a giant outdoor museum where archaeologists study the past. This area is recognized as both a historic district and an archaeological site.

This district is important because it helps us learn about a group of ancient people. They were part of something called the Woodland period, specifically a group known as the Nebraska Phase. This is the only place east of the Missouri River where archaeologists have found evidence of this specific group.

What is the Glenwood Archeological District?

The Glenwood Archeological District is a collection of different sites. These sites show us how people lived many years ago. They include places where people built their homes, where they buried their dead, and areas where they left behind tools and other items.

Who Lived Here? The Glenwood Culture

The people who lived in this area are known as the Glenwood culture. They lived here a very long time ago, between the years 1250 and 1400 C.E.. This means they were living here even before Christopher Columbus sailed to America!

What Did They Leave Behind?

The Glenwood people built unique homes called earth lodges. These were round houses made by digging a shallow pit and then building walls and a roof from wood and earth. Archaeologists have found the remains of these lodges.

They also found "mortuary sites," which are places where the Glenwood people buried their dead. These sites give us clues about their beliefs and customs. "Artifact scatters" are areas where many old tools, pottery pieces, and other items are found spread out. These artifacts tell us about their daily lives, what they ate, and how they made things.

Why is it Important?

The Glenwood Archeological District helps us understand the history of Native American people in Iowa. By studying these sites, archaeologists can piece together how these ancient communities lived, what their culture was like, and how they interacted with their environment.

In 2013, this important district was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places in the United States that are considered important to our country's history. Being on this list helps protect the district so future generations can also learn from it.

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