Schwerdt Site facts for kids

The Schwerdt Site (pronounced Shwert) is an ancient place located by the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County, Michigan. It's like a time capsule from about 1400 to 1600 A.D., which was a long time ago, before Europeans arrived in America. This site is part of what archaeologists call the "Berrien Phase." It shows a mix of cultures from the late Woodland time and also some influences from the Upper Mississippian people.

Discovering the Schwerdt Site

Archaeologists are like detectives who study the past. In 1976, experts from Western Michigan University were exploring the area. They found clues that led them to the Schwerdt Site. Later, in 1977 and 1979, they carefully dug up parts of the site to learn more about the people who lived there.

What Archaeologists Found

During their digs, the archaeologists found many interesting things. They uncovered special spots in the ground called "features," old tools and pottery (called "artifacts"), animal bones, and even bits of ancient plants. These discoveries help us understand daily life long ago.

Special Spots in the Ground

The archaeologists found 46 "features" at the Schwerdt Site. Many of these were deep pits used for cooking, called "roasting pits." Inside 14 of these pits, they found roots from a plant called American Lotus. They often found these roots mixed with bones from large fish called sturgeon. Similar cooking pits have also been found at other ancient sites nearby along the Kalamazoo River.

Animal Bones and Ancient Beliefs

Most of the animal bones found at Schwerdt were from lake sturgeon. These large fish were likely an important food source. Archaeologists also found two black bear skulls. These skulls were found near the top of two pits, and their lower jaws were missing.

This is interesting because a similar bear skull was found at another ancient site in Wisconsin. Researchers think this might be a sign of "bear ceremonialism." This means that the ancient people might have had special rituals or beliefs connected to bears. They might have honored bears in some way.

Tools and Arrowheads

The people at Schwerdt used many tools made from stone. Most of these stone tools were small, triangular "Madison points." These points are often called "arrowheads" because they were likely used on arrows for hunting. Madison points are commonly found at late prehistoric sites in the eastern United States. This shows that the people at Schwerdt were part of a wider culture that used similar tools.

Ancient Pottery Styles

Almost all the pottery found at the Schwerdt Site belonged to the "Berrien Phase." This pottery style was also found at the Moccasin Bluff Site, which is about 70 miles south of Schwerdt. The pottery at Schwerdt helps us connect the people who lived there to other groups in the region.

Here are some of the pottery types found:

• Moccasin Bluff Modified Lip: This pottery had a rough surface from being pressed with cords, but then smoothed over. The rim (lip) was folded or crimped with stick or fingernail marks.
• Moccasin Bluff Impressed Exterior Lip: Similar to the above, but with clear finger impressions on the lip.
• Moccasin Bluff Plain Modified Lip: This pottery had a smooth surface and a special notched rim.
• Schwerdt Scalloped: This type had a unique wavy or "scalloped" rim. It's similar to pottery found at other sites in Michigan. Some of this pottery was even found with European trade goods, meaning it was still being made when Europeans first arrived. Experts think this pottery might have been made by the Potawatomi or Sauk tribes.
• Huber Ware: This pottery was different because it used crushed shells instead of grit to strengthen the clay, and it had smooth surfaces. This type of pottery was found at many sites, including some with European trade goods. It's possible that the Miami tribe, who lived near Lake Michigan, made this kind of pottery.

Why the Schwerdt Site is Important

Archaeologists believe the Schwerdt Site was a place where people camped for part of the year, around the 1400s. It was not a permanent village, as there are no signs of houses or farming. The presence of sturgeon bones and American lotus roots suggests that people visited the site in the spring and early summer. This is when sturgeon swim upriver to lay their eggs, and lotus roots are ready to be gathered.

This tells us that the people living here likely moved around throughout the year. They probably had a main village where they farmed, and then they would travel to places like Schwerdt for seasonal activities like fishing and gathering plants. The Schwerdt Site helps us piece together the ancient way of life in Michigan.