What We Do
The Mitchell Site, a National Historic Landmark, has been at the forefront of Northern Plains archaeology for over four decades while being the only active archaeological site open to the public in South Dakota.
About Us
The Mitchell Prehistoric Indigenous Archaeological Site is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit. We are a National Historic Site excavating a 1,000 year old Native American village in an enclosed, state of the art Archeodome. Along with the Thomsen Center Archeodome and expansive grounds, we operate the accompanying Boehnen Memorial Museum. With both of these, we engage local, state, and national communities in the serious academic work that is conducted at our site in an accessible and educational way.
The Villagers of the Mitchell Site
The people who lived at the Mitchell Site circa 1,000 AD were part of the Middle Missouri cultural tradition, with close cultural and economic connections to the Mississippian urban center of Cahokia. We estimate that, at its height, approximately 600 people inhabited the village that once stood here. Thought to be ancestral to the Mandan tribe, these villagers lived in earthen lodges and were highly skilled farmers and hunters. They helped to develop what would become the modern strains of corn that are grown today, along with being part of a vast trading network that crisscrossed the entire continent—500 years before European settlement.
Our Mission
Our mission is to protect the Mitchell Site, engage in archaeological research, and expand the awareness of the important contributions of the people who inhabited this site 1,000 years ago. In doing so, we strive to instill a reverence for the past and respect for the wisdom of those that have come before us, along with a clear vision of how to increase institutional success and understanding of current scholarship, attitudes, and public opinions.
“The highlight of our visit was the tour with the archeologist. Our son doesn't sit still long out and get fully engaged with things outside of his certain interests. However, the archeologist had him sitting and talking, cleaning and identifying actual items found in the dig site. It was a very unique and special experience my family will treasure. If I could give more stars, I would!”
— Michelle Day
“This is a definite must visit archaeological dig! We learned so much about the Native Americans who inhabited this region around 1000 AD. They were highly sophisticated with advanced technologies for that time period…make sure you stop here.”
— Cindy Kilic-Murray
“Our host was knowledgeable and seemed to really love sharing the story of the original caretakers of this land…what amazing work they do here! Please consider supporting this site. We learn so much from researching the past.”
— M J