Hanson Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hanson Site
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| Nearest city | Shell, Wyoming |
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| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002817 |
| Added to NRHP | December 15, 1978 |
The Hanson Site is a very old and important place in northern Wyoming. It has two main areas where ancient people lived a long, long time ago. Scientists study these sites to learn about how these early people lived.
This site is also interesting for finding fossils of ancient animals. Because it's so important, the Hanson Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 1978.
Contents
Discovering the Hanson Site
The Hanson Site is made up of two different areas. These areas are called Hanson I and Hanson II. They are located in the northern part of the Bighorn Basin in Wyoming.
Hanson I: The Campsite
The first part, Hanson I, was explored in 1973. Here, archaeologists found signs of a campsite. They discovered many stone flakes and tools. This shows that ancient people were making and using tools right there.
Hanson II: Ancient Homes
The second part, Hanson II, is much larger. This area has evidence of ancient homes or shelters. These homes are called lodges. Finding lodges helps us understand how these early people built their living spaces.
A Glimpse into the Past
The things found at the Hanson Site tell us about life thousands of years ago. Scientists believe people lived here between 10,080 and 10,700 years ago. This time period is known as the Paleoindian period.
Ancient Animals
Besides human history, the Hanson Site also has older secrets. Deeper underground, scientists have found fossils of ancient animals. This makes the site important for both archaeology (the study of human history) and paleontology (the study of ancient life).
