Schultz Site facts for kids

The Schultz Site, also known as the Mira Creek Site, is a very old archaeological site near North Loup, Nebraska. Archaeologists use a special code for it: 25 VY 1. This site is the biggest one from the Middle Woodland period in Nebraska. It covers about 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters).

The site has many layers of soil. This suggests that people lived there many times over a long period. It is also one of the oldest places in Nebraska where we find proof of people making pottery. Because of its importance, the Schultz Site was named a National Historic Landmark in 1964. This means it's a special place in American history.

What is the Schultz Site?

The Schultz Site is found near the North Loup River. It sits on the north bank of Mira Creek. This site was once a village. Archaeologists have found signs of at least nine lodge sites. These were likely homes or shelters. They also found three storage pits. These pits were probably used to store food or other important items.

Who Lived at the Site?

The people who lived at the Schultz Site were mostly hunter-gatherers. This means they hunted animals and gathered plants for food. They hunted large animals like bison and deer. Their culture is known as the Valley Variant or Valley Focus. This group lived in the area between the years 1 CE and 500 CE. The Schultz Site is very important for understanding this culture. It is considered the main example, or "type site," for the Valley Focus.

Digging Up the Past

The Schultz Site was first explored in the 1930s. The Nebraska State Historical Society led these digs. They received money from the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was a government program that helped people find jobs during the Great Depression. These early excavations were key. They helped archaeologists identify the Valley Focus culture. This was the first time this ancient group was recognized in the region's history.

As of 2008, the site had not been dug up again since 1939. During the first excavations, many pottery pieces were found. These included parts of at least five pots that could be put back together. Many smaller broken pieces, called sherds, were also found. The reconstructed pots vary in height. They range from about 2.4 inches (6.1 cm) to 17.5 inches (44.5 cm) tall. Many of them have special cord markings on their surfaces. These marks were made by pressing cords into the wet clay before it was fired.