US Archaeology
The Chicago Field Museum: A Visitor’s Guide
One of the most-visited museums in the country, Chicago’s Field Museum has a little something for everyone. It was originally created to house objects that had been accumulated for the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, and it largely began as a natural history museum. But it’s now equally focused on anthropology, and the exhibits serve
Aztalan State Park: Cahokia’s Sister City
The site of Cahokia, located just outside of St. Louis, is home to the largest earthen pyramid in the United States. But amazingly, it had a sister city roughly 360 miles away, now located about 40 minutes east of Madison, Wisconsin. Inhabited by the Mississippian people from around 1100-1250 AD, Aztalan State Park was designed as a smaller
Hiking Through Effigy Mounds National Monument
Northeast Iowa is home to one of the largest concentrations of ancient mounds in the US, many of which are now located in Effigy Mounds National Monument. Established as a protected area in 1949, the park is home to hundreds of mounds in total, with a few dozen being in the form of animal effigies. The
North Dakota’s Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
If you find yourself driving across the state of North Dakota – either to or from the underrated Theodore Roosevelt National Park – you may be wondering how to break up the journey. Of all the attractions in the central part of the state, the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site should not be
Exploring More Mounds of Illinois
The state of Illinois is home to one of the most significant and impressive archaeological sites in all of the United States: Cahokia, known for its large earthen pyramid. But like its neighboring Midwestern states, Illinois is also home to dozens of smaller mounds, some of which are 2000 years old. During a recent road
Ancient Utah: Exploring Bears Ears National Monument
Established as recently as December 2016, Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument consists of a staggering 1.36 million acres. While it does indeed include beautiful scenery, the land is largely being protected due to its archaeological, historical and religious importance. Bears Ears was founded upon the insistence of native tribes who wanted federal protection for numerous
Sunset Over Mystery Valley
Monument Valley is arguably one of the most beautiful places in North America – if not the entire planet. But visitors are only allowed access to a small portion of it without a guide. And one of the most popular guided excursions in the area is a sunset tour through the aptly-named Mystery Valley. Located
The Mysterious Towers of Hovenweep National Monument
Shortly after the collapse of sites like Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde, the unique Ancestral Puebloan city of Hovenweep arose in what’s now southeastern Utah. Hovenweep National Monument is mainly known for its well-preserved towers built in the 13th century. But their true function remains a mystery. Were they built for defense, or perhaps long-distance
A Tour Through Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients
The Great Sage Plain, which encompasses southwest Colorado and southeast Utah, was settled between 500 and 1300 AD. In its heyday, it was the most densely-crowded part of the Ancestral Puebloan world. Today, a large portion of the area is part of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, home to a staggering thousands of individual
Mesa Verde National Park: The Ultimate Guide
Despite having been occupied for a relatively brief period of time, the cliff dwellings of Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park make up what’s arguably the most breathtaking archaeological site in the United States. But with the park covering such a massive area, and with accessible attractions changing from year to year, planning a visit can
Visiting The Aztec Ruins National Monument & The Salmon Ruins
The Four Corners region of the Southwest United States is arguably the most archaeologically rich part of the country. While Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde are easily the top highlights, many visitors miss various smaller sites that are scattered throughout the region, such as the Aztec Ruins National Monument and the Salmon Ruins. Conveniently, they’re both
Chaco Canyon: The Ultimate Guide
Situated in a remote corner of northwest New Mexico are what were once the United States’ largest manmade structures. Established by the Ancestral Puebloans over a millennium ago, Chaco Canyon (officially known as Chaco Culture National Historical Park) is arguably the most impressive archaeological park in the country. But planning a visit can be tricky,
Exploring Bandelier National Monument & The Tsankawi Trail
Just about an hour outside of Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument is a unique archaeological site consisting of dozens of cave dwellings carved into the walls of the scenic Frijoles Canyon. In the following guide, you can learn exactly what to expect from a visit to the main site, in addition to a hike along
Five Secrets of Central Park
Designed back in the 1850’s, Central Park often tops the list of places to see in NYC, with millions visiting each year. But if you’re the type who generally avoids crowds and touristy places, you may be wondering if there’s more to explore beyond the top highlights. Fortunately, there is. From the secluded Hallett Nature
The Mounds and Mysteries of Ancient Ohio
Long before the first European settlers arrived, the Ohio region was home to some of North America’s most advanced civilizations. As they left behind no writing, we know relatively little about them. But we do know that the Adena, Hopewell and Fort Ancient peoples, as they’re called today, loved to build mounds. And masterpieces like
Cahokia: The Forgotten Pyramid of Illinois
Many Americans are shocked to learn that their country is home to an ancient pyramid that stands as tall as 100 feet. Mysteriously, the fascinating history of Cahokia and its Monks Mound pyramid aren’t covered in most schools. Be that as it may, Cahokia was the largest pre-Colombian urban settlement north of the Rio Grande.