Ronald Watson Gravel site facts for kids
 Location in Kentucky
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| Location | Petersburg, Kentucky, Boone County, Kentucky,  USA |
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| Region | Boone County, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 39°3′52.02″N 84°52′53.65″W / 39.0644500°N 84.8815694°W |
| History | |
| Cultures | Late Archaic, Woodland period, Fort Ancient culture |
The Ronald Watson Gravel site (also known as 15BE249) is an archaeological site located near Petersburg in Boone County, Kentucky. It sits on a bend of the Ohio River. This site is special because archaeologists have found evidence that different groups of people lived here many times over thousands of years.
Scientists have learned that people lived at this site during the Late Archaic, Woodland period, and Middle Fort Ancient periods. It is the best-studied site from the Middle Woodland period in the northern Bluegrass region of Kentucky.
Discovering Ancient Life at Ronald Watson
This archaeological site covers about 0.4 hectares (which is like half a football field). It is an open area where people once lived. The site is on a sandy and gravelly terrace that looks out over the Ohio River.
Who Lived Here and When?
People lived at the Ronald Watson Gravel site at different times in history.
- Late Archaic Period: The eastern part of the site was used twice during the Late Archaic period. This was a very long time ago, around 3,715 years ago (between 2750 and 1750 BCE) and again about 3,090 years ago (between 1750 and 1000 BCE). These times are known as the Central Ohio Valley phase and the Maple Creek phase.
- Woodland Period: The site was also home to people during the Woodland period. This period is divided into two parts:
- Middle Woodland: People lived here between 83 and 534 CE.
- Late Woodland: This was the busiest time at the site, with people living here between 655 and 1017 CE. This time is called the Newtown phase.
- Fort Ancient Period: Later, the site was used for a short time during the Middle Fort Ancient period, between 1200 and 1400 CE. This was during the Anderson phase.
What Did They Eat?
During the Woodland period, the people living at Ronald Watson Gravel site ate a lot of nuts. They also farmed native plants. These plants were part of what is called the Eastern Agricultural Complex. Some of the plants they grew included:
These plants were important food sources for the ancient people who lived along the Ohio River.
