Little Maquoketa River Mounds State Preserve
Encyclopedia
The Little Maquoketa River Mounds State Preserve is an Iowa
state owned archaeological site and natural area located within the city of Sageville
(just north of Dubuque
) on U.S. Highway 52.
It is high up on a limestone ridge above the Little Maquoketa River
, not too far from the river's mouth with the Upper Mississippi River
. Covering about 42 acres (169,968.1 m²), it contains a fenced-in 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) burial area with 32 mounds. The graves have been related to the Late Woodland
culture, about AD 700-1200. Significant consultation went on with Native American tribes regarding the establishment of the preserve.
The land was purchased by the Iowa Department of Transportation
in 1977, and in 1981, it became a state archaeological and geological preserve. By agreement with the state, the Dubuque County Conservation Board maintains and administers the area.
The remainder of the preserve functions as a park with a hiking trail, featuring mature forest and a segment of native blufftop prairie. As a part of the Driftless Area of Iowa, it has some geologically interesting areas, particularly the high limstone bluffs.
There is a parking lot. Access is year-round.
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
state owned archaeological site and natural area located within the city of Sageville
Sageville, Iowa
Sageville is a city in Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. The population was 203 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sageville is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
(just north of Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
) on U.S. Highway 52.
It is high up on a limestone ridge above the Little Maquoketa River
Little Maquoketa River
The Little Maquoketa River is a direct tributary of the upper Mississippi River. It must be distinguished from the Maquoketa River, a distinct and separate river ; these two rivers are not tributary to one or the other.The Little Maquoketa River is largely confined to Dubuque County, Iowa, and...
, not too far from the river's mouth with the Upper Mississippi River
Upper Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River is the portion of the Mississippi River upstream of Cairo, Illinois, United States. From the headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the river flows approximately 2000 kilometers to Cairo, where it is joined by the Ohio River to form the Lower Mississippi...
. Covering about 42 acres (169,968.1 m²), it contains a fenced-in 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) burial area with 32 mounds. The graves have been related to the Late Woodland
Woodland period
The Woodland period of North American pre-Columbian cultures was from roughly 1000 BCE to 1000 CE in the eastern part of North America. The term "Woodland Period" was introduced in the 1930s as a generic header for prehistoric sites falling between the Archaic hunter-gatherers and the...
culture, about AD 700-1200. Significant consultation went on with Native American tribes regarding the establishment of the preserve.
The land was purchased by the Iowa Department of Transportation
Iowa Department of Transportation
In the U.S. state of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Transportation is the state government organization responsible for the organization, construction, and maintenance of the primary highway system...
in 1977, and in 1981, it became a state archaeological and geological preserve. By agreement with the state, the Dubuque County Conservation Board maintains and administers the area.
The remainder of the preserve functions as a park with a hiking trail, featuring mature forest and a segment of native blufftop prairie. As a part of the Driftless Area of Iowa, it has some geologically interesting areas, particularly the high limstone bluffs.
There is a parking lot. Access is year-round.
Sources
- Little Maquoketa River Mounds State Preserve, Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesIowa Department of Natural ResourcesThe Iowa Department of Natural Resources is a department/agency of the U.S. state of Iowa charged with maintaining state parks and forests; protecting the environment; and managing energy, fish, wildlife, land resources, and water resources of Iowa.The Mission Statement: To conserve and enhance...
, Retrieved July 20, 2007 - Iowa State Preserves, Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesIowa Department of Natural ResourcesThe Iowa Department of Natural Resources is a department/agency of the U.S. state of Iowa charged with maintaining state parks and forests; protecting the environment; and managing energy, fish, wildlife, land resources, and water resources of Iowa.The Mission Statement: To conserve and enhance...
, Retrieved July 20, 2007 - Dubuque County Conservation Board, Retrieved July 20, 2007