Ancient Campsite Gives Glimpse Of Minnesota’s Past

CHANHASSEN, (AP) - State workers who were preparing a site for bridge work have uncovered an old campsite that gives a glimpse of what Minnesota might have looked like 8,000 years ago.

The campsite was recently discovered along the Minnesota River while workers prepared for the $54 million replacement of the Highway 101 bridge that links Carver County and Shakopee.

Archaeologist Frank Florin says artifacts were found 10 to 12 feet below the ground in an area mostly covered by swamp. He says the campsite is like a well-preserved time capsule. It shows that long ago, prairie grasses covered the land and lakes were merely waterholes.

Small groups of native people roamed the wild and camped in the river bottoms, close to water, fish and game.