Harrell site facts for kids
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Harrell site
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| Nearest city | South Bend, Texas |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000825 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964 |
The Harrell site, also known as the M. D. Harrell site, is a very important Native American archeological site in Young County, Texas, near South Bend, Texas. It was once a busy village where Plains Indian people lived and farmed. This site helps us understand how people lived in Texas many hundreds of years ago, from about 1200 AD to 1600 AD.
Contents
Discovering the Harrell Site
The Harrell site was found in 1937. This happened during a survey for the area that would become Possum Kingdom Lake. The site is located on the land above the Brazos River.
Early Digs at the Site
Archeologists began exploring the site in 1938. This work was part of a big project. It was a team effort between the Work Projects Administration and the University of Texas.
What Makes the Harrell Site Special?
The Harrell site is believed to be an ancient farming village. It was first dug up in 1938 and 1939.
Important Features Found
The main part of the site is a large midden. A midden is like an ancient trash pile. It holds clues about what people ate and used. There is also a big hearth, which is a fireplace. Many smaller hearths and burial sites were found nearby.
Clues from the Past
The site contains many artifacts from the Late Prehistoric period. This time was roughly between 1200 AD and 1600 AD. Archeologists found different kinds of tools. These include chipped stone points and scrapers. They also found bowls and jars made from fired clay.
The Harrell Point
A special type of projectile point was first found here. It is now known as the Harrell point. This site is also famous for being the "type site" for the Henrietta focus. This means it's the best example of a certain culture from that time.
Life at the Harrell Site
The Harrell site has many hearths and over one hundred burial sites. This suggests that many people lived there for a long time. It was likely a settled community, not just a temporary camp.
Ancient Burials
Many of the burials found are only parts of skeletons. Some of these burials were covered with large limestone slabs. Archeologists also found signs that groups might have fought over this area long ago. This was likely because the site had good access to water and rich farmland.
Ongoing Discoveries
Even today, archeologists are still working at the Harrell site. They continue to learn more about the people who lived there centuries ago.
