Yankeetown Site

Yankeetown Site spans 140 acres along the Ohio River in Warrick County and contains remains of a prehistoric settlement from the Late Woodland period. The location shows scattered traces of hearths, pits, and dwelling structures that left behind thousands of pottery pieces and stone tools.

Excavations in April 1950 by archaeologist Glenn Albert Black uncovered pits, hearths, and thousands of pottery pieces dating from 700 to 1100 CE. The site records an important period of human settlement along the river during the Middle Ages of North America.

The people who lived here created a distinctive pottery style called Yankeetown fillet, marked by special surface techniques that spread throughout the region and reveals how they expressed their identity through crafts.

Reaching the site requires following US Route 66 to Yankeetown Road, then heading south on local county roads until you reach the area near Little Pigeon Creek. The location sits in an open outdoor setting, so dress appropriately for weather and bring water for your visit.

The riverbank erodes at a steady rate each year, continuously revealing new artifacts and bones in the exposed sections along the shore. This ongoing natural process has allowed archaeologists to make discoveries that would have remained buried otherwise.

Location: Warrick County

GPS coordinates: 37.90030,-87.30610

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:25