Rice's Woods facts for kids

Rice's Woods is a special place in Canajoharie, Montgomery County, New York. It is an archaeological site, which means it is a place where scientists study old things left behind by people long ago. This site helps us learn about the history of the Mohawk people.

Discovering Rice's Woods

An archaeological site is like a giant puzzle from the past. Experts dig carefully to find tools, pottery, and other items. These items tell us how people lived many years ago.

A person named S. L. Frey was an early expert on the history of the Mohawk Valley. He thought that a Mohawk village was located in Rice's Woods. This village was on a spot called Big Nose.

The Mohawk Villages

The Mohawk people were an important Native American group. They had different main villages, sometimes called "castles." S. L. Frey believed the village at Rice's Woods was "Canajorha." He thought it was the Mohawk's Middle Castle after about the year 1677.

However, other experts have different ideas. Some believe that the village at Rice's Woods was actually the Lower Castle during the same time period. These different ideas show how archaeologists work to piece together history.

Why Rice's Woods is Important

Rice's Woods is very important for understanding the past. Because of its historical value, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This list includes places across the United States that are important to history.

The site covers about 20 acres. Protecting places like Rice's Woods helps us learn about the lives of the Mohawk people. It also helps us understand the history of New York State.