Archaeologists Uncover Treasures

Archaeologists uncover artifacts left behind by ancient Iowans from approximately 12,000 years ago. They help tell the story of Iowa's past.

Today the modern archaeologists carefully uncovers these artifacts and pieces together the story of how these ancient people lived. Historians can rely on written records, such as diaries and letters, to learn about the past, but the early Indians of Iowa had no written language. For the most part the archaeologists must rely on small bits of evidence buried on the ancient campsites. A stone projectile point is all that is left of an ancient spear. An axe made of stone was grooved on the sides so it could be lashed to a wooden handle. A fishhook carved from bone. These tools and other ancient artifacts left here for thousands of years, tell archaeologists where men camped, where he killed game, what type of meat he ate and where he cooked and warmed himself by the fire.