Molstad Village, Archaeological site near Mobridge, South Dakota, United States
Molstad Village is a fortified Native American settlement with earth lodges arranged both within and outside a bastioned palisade structure. The site covers approximately 9.9 acres along the western bank of the Missouri River.
The village was inhabited in the middle of the 1500s and belonged to the Chouteau aspect of the Middle Missouri cultural classification. Archaeological excavations during the 1960s revealed four lodge sites containing post holes, storage pits, and artifacts from daily life.
The settlement's name honors Irene and Oscar Molstad, who owned the cattle ranch covering this archaeological site. Irene was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, linking the site's past directly to indigenous communities in the region today.
The site sits about 6 miles southeast of Mobridge and requires advance planning before visiting. It is wise to verify current access conditions ahead of time, as conditions can vary with weather and maintenance needs.
Excavations at the site uncovered thousands of pottery fragments along with stone and bone tools from bison. These discoveries offer a direct window into the daily crafts and survival skills of those who lived here centuries ago.
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