2-iS BUREAU OF .\MERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bclu 176 



Difficulty was encountered in classifying tlie "White object mate- 

 rials. Finally, a functional dassitication was made. This serves 

 the purpose i-easonably well, but as there is a certain amount of over- 

 lapping of categories, some cross i"efei"ences were used to compensate 

 for this. ''Trade goods" in the main consist of beads, shale, and 

 catlinite pipes, though many of the other "White object materials 

 obviously could be in this cla&siiication as well. 



The site is compared with Forts Berthold I and II, located at 

 Like-A-Fishhook Village, McLean County, X. Dak., since they are 

 the only fur trade posts dating from approximately the same period 

 for which comparable data are available. 



THE SITE DESCRIBED 



The site is located in the SWi.4^"El4 sec. 1, T. 153 N. R. 94 W., 



Mountrail County, northwestern Xorth Dakota. It is situated on 

 the north, or left, bank of the Missouri River about 2 miles above 

 the former mouth of the "Wliite Earth River. Since 1945 the chan- 

 nel of the '\"\liite Earth has shifted and the stream now flows into the 

 Missouri River about a mile upstream from the site. 



The remains of the post wei\> found on the second terrace of the 

 Missouri River, well above flood stage, and about 300 yards north of 

 what was probably the bank of the "White Earth River at the time 

 the post was in operation. The terrace slopes slightly to the south- 

 east, but is otherwise relatively level. The post was built on the edge 

 of the terrace, faciuix south and overlooking the former channel of 

 the Wliite Earth River, with the Missouri River several hundred 

 yards farther south (map 7). 



Befoi-e the site was excavated, several features were evident from 

 the surface, although the area had been under cultivation for a few 

 years. Low himunocks were evident on the north and east, and nu- 

 merous shallow circular depressions were also visible. Occupational 

 debris exposed by cultivation consisted primarily of fired-clay chink- 

 ing, with some bone scrap and a few artifacts. Some material on the 

 surface definitely postdates the occupation of the fur trade post. 

 Among the modern items found were a 1935 copper-cent piece and 

 fragments of soft -drink bottles. 



The site was admirably situated with respect to game and water 

 resources. Game was previously abtmdant in the area and included 

 bison, deer, antelope, elk. bear, beaver, and numbei"S of game birds. 

 Some of these animals are represented in the bone found in the site. 

 The river bottoms supported a great amount of timber, among which 

 is Cottonwood, ash, boxelder, willow, and diamond willow. "Wild 

 plums, chokecherries, and other wild fruits grow along the river 

 bottoms today. 



