Double Ditch, Archaeological site in Bismarck, United States.
Double Ditch is an archaeological site in Bismarck with remains of earth lodges, storage pits, and two concentric fortification rings spread across approximately 10 acres. The location sits along the Missouri River bank and reveals the traces of a large fortified settlement.
The Mandan established this fortified settlement and inhabited it over several centuries. Archaeological evidence shows the location changed in size multiple times as the population fluctuated over time.
The site shows how the Mandan built their homes and what objects they used every day. The pottery and tools found here tell stories about their daily routines and farming practices.
The site is open to visitors and maintained by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Self-guided tours with interpretive signs allow you to explore the archaeological discoveries at your own pace.
Four different fortification ditches show that the settlement changed its boundaries multiple times. This pattern reveals much about how the community grew and shrank throughout its history.
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