Naples Archeological District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Naples Archeological District
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Naples, Illinois |
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| Area | 1,020 acres (410 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000869 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1979 |
The Naples Archeological District is a special area in Illinois where archaeologists study ancient history. It's located on the east bank of the Illinois River near the town of Naples. This district is important because it holds sixteen different archaeological sites. These sites show us how people lived long ago, especially during a time called the Woodland period.
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What is the Naples Archeological District?
The Naples Archeological District is like a huge outdoor museum. It covers about 1,020 acres (which is over 4 square kilometers!). This area was home to many ancient people. Scientists study the remains they left behind. These remains help us understand their daily lives, their beliefs, and how they traded with others.
Life in the Woodland Period
Most of the activity in the Naples Archeological District happened during the Woodland period. This was a long time ago, roughly from 1000 BCE to 1000 CE. During this time, people in North America began to live in more settled villages. They also started to grow some of their own food. The Middle Woodland period, from about 200 BCE to 500 CE, was especially busy here.
The Hopewell People and Trade
The Naples area was a very important place for trade. It was part of something called the Hopewell exchange system. The Hopewell were not one single tribe. Instead, they were a group of ancient cultures connected by shared ideas and trade routes. They traded valuable items like shells, copper, and special stones over long distances. The Naples Archeological District was a key meeting point in this huge trading network.
Ancient Mounds and Villages
Within the district, you can find over a dozen ancient mounds. These are not natural hills. They were built by people long ago. Most of these mounds were used as burial sites. This means people were buried inside them. Some mounds were also used to store things, like trash or other items.
Besides the mounds, there are also several large village sites. This tells us that Naples was not just a trading center. It was also a place where many people lived and built their homes. Studying these villages helps us learn about their homes, tools, and how their communities were organized.
Protecting History: National Register
Because the Naples Archeological District is so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 22, 1979. The National Register is a list of places in the United States that are considered historically significant. Being on this list helps protect these sites. It makes sure they are preserved for future generations to study and learn from.
