Modoc Rock Shelter

Modoc Rock Shelter

Part of the site
Location Randolph County, Illinois, USA
Nearest city Modoc, Illinois
Architect Natural Feature
Architectural style Prehistoric Erosion
NRHP Reference # 66000328
Significant dates
Added to NRHP October 15, 1966[1]
Designated NHL January 20, 1961[2]

Modoc Rock Shelter is a rock cliff at the edge of the Mississippi River Valley that was undercut by Ice Age floods. This site is significant for its archaeological evidence of the Archaic period in the Eastern United States. The site has over 28 feet of sediment that contain artifacts. Evidence from the site, including four separate periods of Archaic occupation and one of a later period, suggests that the cultures of the Eastern Woodlands may have been comparable in age to the big game hunting cultures of the Great Plains. Based on the analysis of artifacts, archaeologists discovered that 9,000 years ago this rock shelter was used as a short-term camp by small hunting groups; by 6,000 years ago this rock shelter was used for long-term based camps by several families which were involved in activities of everyday life; and, by around 4,000 years ago evidence found in the sediment layers suggests the site was again used by small hunting parties as a short-term camp.[3] There tools included concave projectile points, scrapers, choppers, hammer stones, and bone awls. Evidence has shown that during occupation, the inhabitants had a diet that consisted of deer, raccoon, opossum, birds, and fish.

Many of the footpaths leading to these caves still exist, although they are almost impossible to access due to deterioration.

The Modoc Rock Shelter site was discovered in 1951 by archaeologist Irwin Peithmann, who is known for teaching himself about the customs of Native Americans by living among them. The site is a rock cliff located in the Mississippi River Valley.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 "Modoc Rock Shelter". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  3. ↑ "Illinois State Museum". Retrieved October 11, 2011.

Coordinates: 38°03′46″N 90°03′49″W / 38.06278°N 90.06361°W / 38.06278; -90.06361


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