“What was Spirit Knoll like 1,000 years ago?”

By Kerri Sorrell on May 9, 2013 in Blog

Hikers explore the Spirit Knoll area.
Photo by Randall Williams

Written by Anita O’Gara

On Saturday I stood on a windy knoll north of Sioux City, thinking about what life would have been like 1,000 years ago on that spot.

About 25 of us hardy souls hiked for two hours across Spirit Knoll and the addition we’re working to add to it. The winds, drizzle and temps in the 40s were a challenge, but we enjoyed experiencing the place together. I love hiking with people who really know their birds and prairie plants! They see things I would have missed, and they can tell me things about nature that are fascinating.

I’ve been on nature hikes at wonderful places across Iowa. What was different about this one?

At Spirit Knoll, the native people of the Mill Creek Culture laid their loved ones to rest. Archeologists tell us of Kimball Village, in the flat floodplain below these rugged hills, where artifacts show approximately 30 homes were gathered in a fortified village. Just as Sioux City anchors this territory today, people lived in this anchor city on the Missouri River. Their cemetery, though, was high in the hills above – as was discovered accidentally while this site was being prepared by a previous owner to serve as a housing development.

Hikers explore the Spirit Knoll area.
Photo by Randall Williams

It’s worth a pause to consider the people before us who found this place special. They felt the wind and the drizzle here, just as we did on Saturday. Did they thrill to see the first native prairie plants emerging from the winter, just as we did? We saw a Black-crowned Night Heron. Did they see this bird, too – and what name did they give it?

We don’t know how extensive the archeological resources at Spirit Knoll might be. An initial archeological survey will reveal much to us within a year or two.

But I know enough already to spark my imagination and to give this site a certain aura that’s hard to describe.

I’m glad INHF was able to purchase both adjoining parcels of land, so that the prairie can thrive and people will be able to visit this place. Some will simply enjoy a stroll in the wide-open spaces or some time with a fishing pole or a hunting dog. Others will be more aware that they’re walking where people walked, mourned, or pondered life a millennium ago.

Stay up-to-date on future events at Spirit Knoll as well as the nearby Stone State Park by visiting the Friends of Stone Park blog.