Vail Site facts for kids
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Vail Site
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| Location | Parkertown Township, Maine |
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| Area | 7.5 acres (3.0 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000246 (original) 84001474 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 23, 1980 |
| Boundary increase | January 11, 1984 |
The Vail Site is a very old Native American archaeological site. It is found in a quiet, faraway part of Oxford County, Maine. This special place sits near an old path of the Magalloway River. Sometimes, parts of the site are covered by water from Aziscohos Lake, which is a lake made by people.
The Vail Site was first found in 1979. Since then, experts have dug there many times to learn more. At the site, archaeologists found at least eight places where people set up tents. They also found a big "kill zone." This was a spot where ancient Native Americans hunted many caribou. In 1980, a small part of the site, about 1-acre (0.40 ha), was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list keeps track of important historical places in the United States. Later, in 1984, the listed area was made bigger to 7.5 acres (3.0 ha).
Contents
What Makes the Vail Site Special?
When experts dug at the Vail Site, they found many interesting things. They explored eight tent sites, which were places where people lived. Six of these tent sites had lots of evidence of tool making. They found many well-made stone points, like those used for spears or arrows.
How Did Ancient People Live Here?
The other two tent sites were closer to the old river. They might have been flooded sometimes. Experts believe that between 36 and 60 people lived at these sites. They think these groups stayed for only about 8 to 10 years. The tent sites were set up in a curved line, about 110 metres (120 yd) long.
Things found at the tent sites match what was found at the "kill site." The kill site was on the other side of the old river. This suggests that the same people used both places.
Who Lived at the Vail Site?
Archaeologists believe that the people who lived at the Vail Site were Paleo-Indians. These were some of the very first people to live in North America. They lived there about 13,000 years ago!
Why Did They Move After 10 Years?
Staying in one camp for about 10 years was common for ancient people. For example, Native groups in Alaska long ago would do the same thing. They would move when the caribou herds, which they hunted for food, became too small in that area. This shows that the people at the Vail Site likely followed the caribou herds for their survival.
