Unit 1: Set 3: Ancient Villages - Double Ditch Photos

Introduction | Menoken | Huff | Double Ditch | Activities

DD Intro | DD Archeological Studies | DD Photos

An aerial view of Double Ditch State Historic Site
taken from the north. The Missouri River flows
below the bluff. The roads and parking area
allow visitors access to the site.

This early contour map reveals the locations of
earthlodges within Ditch 4.

Magnetic gradiometry produced this picture of the
sub-surface structures at Double Ditch. With this
method, archeologists were able to determine that
the village had had 4 ditches over its long history
and the exact location of each.

In this aerial view, ditches 1 and 2 can be seen.
The depressions indicate storage pits or the
foundations of earthlodges. The elevated mounds
were made of both earth and trash to strengthen
the defensive system.

This mound (named Mound B) was opened in 1905 by archeologists. They gathered information
on how the people of Double Ditch lived by examining their refuse.

Mound B was re-opened in 2005 by archeologists to see if they could gain more
information with modern technology and advanced evaluation methods.

This photograph of an earthlodge of the reservation era shows
a typical circular earthlodge which would have been built in the
1500s at Double Ditch. The structure at the very top surrounds
the hole in the roof where smoke escaped. The hole was
covered by a round bull-boat in the winter to
prevent snow from falling into the lodge.

This floorplan of a circular earthlodge
shows the four post and beam central
supports (the square in the center). The
wall between the entry and the fireplace
helped to prevent drafts from disturbing
the fire or chilling the residents. Beds
were arranged around the walls.

Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions

Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.

Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov

Social Media:
See all social media accounts