Kimball Village | |
 | |
| Location | Address restricted[2] |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Westfield, Iowa |
| Area | 1.9 acres (0.77 ha) |
| MPS | Archaeological Resources of Initial Variant of the Middle Missouri Tradition in Iowa MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000343[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 2010 |
| Designated NHL | December 23, 2016 |
Kimball Village is anarchaeological site located in the vicinity ofWestfield, Iowa, United States. It is one of six known Big Sioux phase villages from theMiddle Missouri tradition that existed between 1100 and 1250C.E.[3] The site, located on a terrace overlooking theBig Sioux River, has well-preserved features, includingearth lodge and storage pits, and evidence of fortifaction. The site was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 2010,[1] and as aNational Historic Landmark in 2016.[4][5]
Kimball Village is located in northwestern Iowa, in ruralPlymouth County. It is set on a terrace set between the Big Sioux River and theLoess Hills. The site is identifiable as a mound rising in the floodplain, and occupies an area of just under 2 acres (0.81 ha).
Charles R. Keyes, a professor atCornell College in Iowa, his assistant Ellison Orr, and 14 workers from theWorks Progress Administration first excavated the site in 1939, after Keyes heard that artifact hunters were finding objects in this area. They discovered houses, hearths, storage pits, burial features, and over 9,000 artifacts.[3] Other excavations have been done in 1942, 1963 and 2009, the latter determining the full extent of the site. These investigations revealed that the village had at least 20 dwellings organized in five rows facing south. It was fortified by a timberpalisade and possibly also a ditch. As of its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 2016, the site was described as remarkably well preserved, having suffered little erosion damage. Only 3% of its area had been investigated by archaeologists.[6]
