Opatrny Village Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Opatrny Village Site
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Overview of the site
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. Route 40 north of the Belmont Hills Country Club |
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| Nearest city | St. Clairsville, Ohio |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001323 |
| Added to NRHP | May 21, 1975 |
The Opatrny Village Site is an ancient place where people lived a very long time ago, between the years 1000 AD and 1600 AD. This site was home to a group of Native Americans known as the Monongahela culture. They lived at the same time as another important group called the Fort Ancient culture. Today, the Opatrny Village Site is a special historical place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 1975, to help protect it.
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Exploring the Opatrny Village Site
The Opatrny Village Site is located in Ohio, near U.S. Route 40. It covers about 50 acres of land. This area has been used as a pasture for many years. This means the site has stayed mostly untouched. It is well-preserved, which is great for learning about the past.
Who Lived at Opatrny?
The people who lived at the Opatrny Village Site were part of the Monongahela culture. They were Native Americans who lived in parts of what is now Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. They built villages, farmed, hunted, and gathered food. Learning about their homes helps us understand how they lived centuries ago. The Monongahela culture was active during the Late Prehistoric period. This was before Europeans arrived in North America.
A Glimpse into the Past
The Opatrny Village Site is quite large. Its full size isn't known yet. This is because many old objects and signs of life are buried deep underground. These items are found in layers of dirt and old debris. These layers can be over 1.5 feet thick. This shows that people lived here for a long time.
Why the Site is Important
The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places to keep it safe. There were plans for a highway project nearby. Protecting the site meant that this ancient village would not be damaged. It helps us save important parts of history.
Discovering the Past
Around 1980, archaeologists did a big dig at Opatrny. An excavation is when scientists carefully dig up old sites. They look for artifacts and clues about how people lived. The information found at Opatrny was very important. It helped experts understand how local cultures changed over time. It also showed how they used the land around them.
What We Learned
Even though the site is close to a busy road, it has not been disturbed much. This is unusual for such an old place. Most other ancient sites nearby have been changed by modern buildings. The Opatrny Village Site offers a rare chance to study an ancient village that is still mostly intact. It helps us learn about the daily lives of the Monongahela people.
