Palmer Site | |
_(1).JPG) Vicinity of site, 2013 | |
| Nearest city | Palmer, Nebraska |
|---|---|
| NRHP reference No. | 66000447 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966[1] |
| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964[2] |
ThePalmer Site, also known as theSkidi Pawnee Village and designated by theSmithsonian trinomial25HW1, is a prehistoric and historicarcheological site nearPalmer, Nebraska inHoward andMerrick Counties. The site is a Native American habitation site associated with theSkidi people, a branch of thePawnee people, which may have been documented by anAmerican exploratory expedition led byStephen H. Long in 1820. It was declared aNational Historic Landmark in 1964.[2] The site is located on private property.
The Palmer Site's primary period of occupation is believed to have been in the early 19th century. Its features include 120 lodge sites and a feature interpreted as acouncil circle, as well as a Native American burial ground, from which several burials were removed or relocated due to nearby road construction.[3]
The site was recorded by at least three separate 19th-century exploratory expeditions. Stephen H. Long's 1819-20 expedition along theLoup River almost certainly encountered the village, describing its location and that of several other villages. Another expedition visited the village in 1833, and an 1844 expedition documented that it was abandoned. This village is believed to have been the site of the notoriousMorning Star ceremony, a Skidi custom of human sacrifice. It was also probably the home ofPetalesharo, a Pawnee warrior of famously interrupted one of those ceremonies by rescuing that year's victim, aComanche girl. Petalesharo is believed to be buried here.[3]
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