Prehistoric Indian Village sees record-high attendance

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota’s only active archaeological site that’s open to the public saw a record-high attendance in July.

More than 4,030 people visited the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell last month. Officials are crediting the attendance record to the renovation of the Boehnen Memorial Museum, special events including the Archaeology Awareness Days, and the ongoing excavation at the site conducted by college students.

Cindy Gregg is the executive director of the village. She says the increased attendance not only helps support the museum, but also benefits businesses on the north side of Mitchell.

The village was occupied more than 1,000 years ago by Native Americans who lived in earthen lodges. The village’s occupants were skilled farmers, growing crops such as corn, beans, squashes, sunflower and tobacco.