List of Native American archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is a list of important places in Pennsylvania where archaeologists have found signs of ancient Native American life. These special places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places because they help us learn about the past.

Archaeological sites are like giant puzzles left behind by people who lived long ago. They can include old villages, tools, or even rock carvings. By studying these sites, experts can understand how Native Americans lived, what they ate, what tools they used, and how their societies were organized, sometimes thousands of years ago!

What are Archaeological Sites?
Cool Native American Sites in Pennsylvania
Images for kids
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What are Archaeological Sites?

Archaeological sites are places where people lived or did things in the past, and they left behind clues. These clues are called artifacts, like pottery pieces, stone tools, or even the remains of old campfires. When a site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it means it's very important for understanding history.

In Pennsylvania, many of these sites show us about different Native American groups and how they lived over thousands of years. Some sites are very old, from the Paleoindian period (over 10,000 years ago!), while others are from more recent times, like the Susquehannock or Monongahela people.

Cool Native American Sites in Pennsylvania

Here are some of the fascinating Native American archaeological sites found in Pennsylvania. Each one tells a unique story about the people who lived there.

Ancient Camps and Villages

Many sites show us where Native Americans built their homes and villages. These places often have signs of houses, cooking areas, and places where tools were made.

Canfield Island Site (36 LY 37): This site on Canfield Island in Loyalsock Township has clues from many different time periods, from the Late Archaic period all the way up to the Susquehannock people. It's like a timeline of different cultures living in the same spot!
Book Site (36 Jul): Located in Beale Township, this site gives us information about the Clemson Island culture, which was known for its unique pottery.
Conestoga Town (36LA7): Found in Manor Township, this was an important village for the Susquehannock people. It helps us understand their community life.
Fisher Farm Site (36CE14): Near Unionville, this site shows us about the Late Woodland period, a time when Native Americans started farming more.
Murry Site (36LA11): This Susquehannock site is located south of Washington Boro in Manor Township. It provides more insights into the Susquehannock way of life.
Strickler Site (36LA3): Also in Manor Township, this was another important Susquehannock village site, giving archaeologists more clues about their settlements.

Rock Art Sites

Some sites are special because they feature petroglyphs, which are ancient carvings made on rocks. These carvings can be pictures of animals, people, or mysterious symbols.

Big and Little Indian Rock Petroglyphs: These amazing rock carvings are found in the Susquehanna River near Safe Harbor in Conestoga Township. The artists who made them are unknown, adding to their mystery!
Francis Farm Petroglyphs Site (36FA35): Located in Jefferson Township, this site also has ancient rock carvings, giving us a glimpse into the artistic and spiritual lives of early inhabitants.
Indian God Rock Petroglyphs Site (36VE26): On the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Rockland Township, this rock features more petroglyphs, showing that rock art was important in many parts of Pennsylvania.
Sugar Grove Petroglyph Site (36GR5): In Monongahela Township, this site adds to the collection of mysterious rock carvings found in the state.

Quarry Sites

Some archaeological sites are places where Native Americans gathered materials, like stone, to make their tools. These are called quarry sites.

Carbaugh Run Rhyolite Quarry Site (36AD30): Found in Franklin Township, this was a place where people collected rhyolite, a type of rock, to make sharp tools and weapons. It was used from the Late Archaic to the Early Woodland periods.

Important Shelters and Districts

Some sites are rock shelters, which are natural overhangs in cliffs that people used for protection. Others are larger districts that include many different archaeological features.

Meadowcroft Rockshelter (36WA297): Located west of Avella in Independence Township, this is one of the most important archaeological sites in North America! It shows evidence of human activity from the Paleoindian period (over 16,000 years ago) all the way through the Late Woodland period. It's a truly ancient place!
Clemson Island Prehistoric District (36DA1, 36DA2, 36DA3): This district covers the southern part of Clemson Island in the Susquehanna River. It's so important that it's the "type site" for the Clemson Island culture, meaning it's the main place where this culture was first identified and studied.
Minisink Archeological Site (36PI4): Near Minisink Island in Dingman Township, this site has evidence of people living there from the Early Archaic period up to the Shawnee people.
Sommerheim Park Archaeological District (36ER20): This district in Millcreek Township overlooks Presque Isle Bay. It shows signs of human activity from the Early Archaic to the Middle Woodland periods.

Images for kids

The Canfield Island Site, a place where many different cultures lived over time.
A view of the Book Site, important for understanding the Clemson Island culture.
An overview of the Conestoga Town site, a historic Susquehannock village.
The Deffenbaugh Site, where archaeologists found clues about the Monongahela culture.
Dykeman's Spring, a site used by Native Americans for thousands of years.
The Fisher Farm Site, showing evidence of Late Woodland period farming.
Fields at the Fisher Site, another important Monongahela culture location.
The Richard T. Foley Site, providing more information about the Monongahela people.
The area near the Francis Farm Petroglyphs Site.
The Frey-Haverstick Site, showing a long history of occupation from Late Archaic to Susquehannock times.
The southern part of the Household No. 1 Site, a Monongahela culture location.
An overview of the Houserville Site, important for Early and Middle Archaic periods.
The Indian God Rock, featuring ancient petroglyphs.
Gravestones near the Byrd Leibhart Site, a Susquehannock site.
The Locus 7 Site, located on a bluff above Downers Run.
The Meadowcroft Rockshelter, one of the oldest archaeological sites in North America.
The Memorial Park Site in Lock Haven, a Clemson Island culture site.
A cut bank at the Minisink Archeological Site.
Fields at the Murry Site, a Susquehannock village.
The Crow's Nest Visitor Center, near the North Warwick Historic and Archeological District.
Ballfields at Central Park, where the Park Site 36La96 is located.
The Shawnee-Minisink Site, important for Paleoindian and Late Archaic periods.
The Shultz-Funk Site, located near the Susquehanna River.
A reconstructed building at Old Bedford Village, near Site 36BD90.
The Sommerheim Park Archaeological District, overlooking Presque Isle Bay.
The Squirrel Hill Site, another Monongahela culture location.
The Strickler Site, a Susquehannock village near the river.
The Sugar Grove Petroglyphs, ancient carvings on rock.
The Tudek Site, important for Early and Middle Archaic periods.