Stamper Site facts for kids
|
Stamper Site
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | 36.728150, -101.320510 |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Optima, Oklahoma |
| Built | 1200 |
| Architectural style | Antelope Creek Phase |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000635 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964 |
The Stamper Site, also known as 34TX1, is an important archaeological site located in Texas County, Oklahoma. This site is special because the discoveries made here have helped experts understand how different groups of people connected and moved around the southern plains a long time ago. Because of its historical importance, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Contents
Discovering the Stamper Site
The Stamper Site is found south of the town of Optima. It sits on a flat area next to the North Canadian River, below a higher cliff. The site is named after Charles Stamper, who settled in this area in 1886.
What Was Found at the Site?
At the Stamper Site, archaeologists have found eighteen "rooms" or structures with walls. You can still see parts of these walls on the ground today. Digs at the site have also uncovered stone tools, pieces of pottery, and signs of human burials. These finds help us learn about the people who lived there.
Early Investigations and Discoveries
Local people knew about the Stamper Site for many years before professional archaeologists studied it. In 1929, J. Willis Stovall from the University of Oklahoma (OU) found the site. He was likely working at another nearby site at the time.
In 1933, the University of Oklahoma funded a dig at the Stamper Site. During this dig, archaeologists explored several of the rooms. They even investigated one room that had been damaged and the largest structure at the site. More research happened in 1934 as part of a government program called the New Deal. However, this program ended in 1935.
Understanding the Site's History
After studying the early reports and discoveries, experts believe that some areas of the site have up to six feet of cultural deposits. This means that people lived there for a very long time, leaving behind layers of their daily lives.
In 1950, a report suggested that the Stamper Site was a key example for something called the "Optima Focus." However, newer research and discoveries have shown that the Stamper Site is very similar to another ancient culture known as the Antelope Creek Phase. This helps archaeologists understand how different groups of people lived and interacted in the past.
