POINTED BONE TOOL

ca. 1550-1675

1987.57.01

As one of only two permanent village sites excavated in Montana, the Hagen Site - a National Historic Landmark north of Glendive - tells an important story of cultural evolution on the Northern Plains. Artifacts gathered from the site include pottery sherds that bear characteristics of Great Lakes' ceramics; hoes, picks, squash and pumpkin seeds that suggest the inhabitants were familiar with agriculture; and the remains of 341 buffalo, indicating this was a hunting-oriented site. Taken together, these artifacts indicate that the Hagen Site (which was settled sometime between 1550 and 1675) may be the key to a crucial turning point of a people with Woodland roots as they transitioned to Plains bison culture.