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Double Ditch State Historic Site

North Dakota

On a hill overlooking the Missouri River near the mouth of the Heart River, this Indian village was occupied by the Mandans from about 1500 to 1780.  Thus, it had been abandoned for over 20 years when the Corps of Discovery passed by on October 22, 1804.  Clark wrote in his journal: "passed ... old village on the S. S. and the upper of the 6 villages the Mandans occupied about 25 years ago this village was entirely cut off by the Sioux & one of the others nearly, the Small Pox destroyed great numbers"

The Mandans lived in dome-shaped earthlodges 20 to 65-feet in diameter.  All that remains today are approximately 150 circular depressions indicating where the lodges once existed and clear indications of the two fortification ditches that enclosed the village.

Following Lewis & Clark