Excavation of a Langford Tradition house from Noble-Wieting, McLean County, Illinois

ISM Location: Dickson Mounds

For Immediate Release:

Lewistown, IL --The Illinois Valley Archaeological Society (IVAS) will meet Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at the Dickson Mounds Museum beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Featured speaker will be Dr. G. Logan Miller, assistant professor of anthropology at Illinois State University, will present a talk titled “Excavation of a Langford Tradition house from Noble-Wieting, McLean County, Illinois”. This event is free and the public is invited to attend.  Refreshments will be available following the presentation.

During the Mississippian period (1000-1400 AD) the largest prehistoric North American city existed right here in Illinois. The rise and fall of Cahokia reverberated throughout eastern North America, resulting in many population movements and new ways of life in the region.  Archaeologists refer to the new lifeways in northern Illinois at this time as the Langford tradition. While most major Langford sites occur along the upper Illinois River and the Chicagoland area, one site that does not fit the pattern is the village of Noble-Wieting in McLean County. Since the early 1900s archaeologists have puzzled over the site’s anomalous nature. Over the past two years Illinois State University and the Illinois State Archaeological Survey returned to this important site to learn more about what drew people to the area. This  presentation covers what a recently excavated house structure can tell us about this enigmatic village.

Dr. G. Logan Miller’s research and publications cover topics related to lithic technology and Midwestern prehistory. He has directed archaeological field schools in Illinois and Ohio.

The Illinois State Museum—Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown and Havana off Illinois Routes 78 and 97. The museum is open free to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day. Tours and special programs are available for groups with reservations. For more information call 309.547.3721 or TTY 217.782.9175 or visit the museum's web site at https://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/content/welcome-dickson-mounds. Also check out weekly updates on Facebook at “Illinois State Museum – Dickson Mounds”.

Contact Person: Christa Foster

Contact Email: christa.foster@illinois.gov

Contact Phone: 309-547-3721

Release File (pdf): ivas_sept4_2018.pdf

Release File (doc): ivas_sept4_2018.docx