The Hacklander Site, also designated 20AE78, is an archaeological site located on the south shore of the Kalamazoo River east of Douglas, Michigan. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[1] The site is significant because it represents much of what is understood about Woodland period life in the region.[3]
Hacklander Site | |
 | |
   | |
| Nearest city | Douglas, Michigan[2] |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°38′5″N 86°9′45″W / 42.63472°N 86.16250°W |
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002150[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 27, 1973 |
Description
editThe Hacklander Site is along the south shore of the Kalamazoo River next to a small stream. The site extends to the base of a nearby bluff paralelling the river.[4]
The Hacklander Site is a large multi-component Middle Woodland period site,[5] likely representing an ongoing seasonal occupation of the site.[3]
History
editComponents at the site indicate that it was occupied during the Late Woodland period, possibly as early as 600 CE. The site was likely used as a seasonal camp through approximately 1000 to 1100 CE. The site was sporadically used later with evidence of occupation in approximately 1200-1300 CE, some time after 1300, and around 1760-1820. These later occupations were likely unrelated to each other and to the site's earlier use as a seasonal camp.[4]
The Hacklander Site was discovered in the 1960s[6] by a local collector, who notified archaeologists of the site in 1971.[4] Initial excavations were carried out in 1971 and extended into the next year. Over two years of excavations, researchers discovered more than 20,000 ceramic potsherds, as well as 80,000 stone artifacts (including Woodland points) and debitage.[3]
The site takes its name from George Hacklander. He purchased the property in 1928 and his estate sold it in 1973. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) bought part of the land in 1941 and their construction of a river access point for boating has had a major impact on the site.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ The NRIS gives the location of the Hacklander site as "Address Restricted." However, references (i.e., Garland) make it clear that the site is located at the Hacklander River Access Site. Geo-coordinates are approximate.
- ^ a b c Kidorf, Kristine M.; Grammer, Scott; Busch, Jane C. (January 2010), Saugatuck Historic Coastal Survey Report, Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance and Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society
- ^ a b c Sorensen, Jerrel H. (1978), The Lithic Assemblage of the Hacklander Site, Allegan County, Michigan (Thesis), Western Michigan University
- ^ a b Garland, Elizabeth B.; Kingsley, Robert G. (1978), Archaeological Survey to Determine Prehistoric Settlement Patterns in Allegan County, Michigan: 1978 Field Season, Western Michigan University
- ^ Mangold, William L. (September 2009), The Middle Woodland Occupations of the Kankakee River Valley and Beyond: The Goodall Tradition Revisited and Reinterpreted (PhD Thesis), Indiana University
Further reading
edit- Garland, Elizabeth B. (1976), Completion Report, Hacklander Archaeological Project. 1975 Excavations, Allegan County, Michigan, Office of the State Archaeologist, Bureau of History, Department of State. Lansing.