Imhoff Archeological Site facts for kids

The Imhoff Archeological Site, also known as Site 23CP7, is an important historical place located near Blackwater in Cooper County, Missouri. It's a special spot where archaeologists have found clues about ancient people who lived there a very long time ago.

This site was once a village for people from the Middle Woodland Period. This time in history was roughly between 200 BC and AD 500. The village was built on a flat, raised area of land, like a natural shelf, next to the Lamine River in the Missouri River Valley.

An illustration of an arrow from the Hopewell culture, like those found at the Imhoff site.

Discovering the Past

The Imhoff Archeological Site is famous for the pottery and stone tools found there. These items show a special style and way of making things known as the "Hopewell" culture. The Hopewell people were a group of Native Americans who lived in what is now the central and eastern United States. They were known for their amazing artwork, long-distance trade, and large earthworks.

Who Found the Site?

The site was first discovered in the 1930s by a person named J. Mett Shippee. Later, in 1971, another researcher named Marvin Kay studied the site more closely. He did some small tests to learn more about the area.

Dating the Site

Scientists often use a method called radiocarbon dating to find out how old ancient sites are. However, for the Imhoff site, there are no radiocarbon dates available yet. This means archaeologists have to rely on other clues, like the style of the artifacts, to estimate its age.

Amazing Obsidian Clues

One of the most exciting finds at the Imhoff site is a piece of obsidian. Obsidian is a type of natural glass formed from volcanoes. This particular piece was studied using a special test called Neutron Activation Analysis. This test helps scientists figure out exactly where the obsidian came from.

The results showed something incredible: the obsidian found at the Imhoff site came all the way from the obsidian cliff in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming! This is a huge distance, showing that the Hopewell people had trade networks that stretched across vast areas of North America. It tells us they were connected to people and resources far from their village.

A Protected Place

Because of its historical importance, the Imhoff Archeological Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This means it is recognized as a special place that needs to be protected for future generations to learn from.