Welcome to the Oxbow Archaeologists
An Affiliate Group of
Chippewa Nature Center
Midland, Michigan
Michigan Archaeology
Citizen Scientists
An Affiliate Group of
Chippewa Nature Center
Midland, Michigan
Michigan Archaeology
Citizen Scientists
We are a professionally mentored group of amateur archaeologists and an affiliate group of Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan.
We conduct archaeological research on the grounds of Chippewa Nature Center. We investigate both prehistoric Native American campsites and historic settler cabins.
The Oxbow Archaeologists meet on Wednesday evenings (6-8 P.M.) and Saturday mornings (9-12 A.M.). We are always looking for volunteers to help with our projects.
On August 28 Chippewa Nature Center announced plans for construction of a new Nature Education Center. This building will be located on the Badour Gate site. The Oxbow Archaeologists have been involved in the planning and since the location was determined in the spring of 2022 we have been conducting excavations at the site. So far the excavations have failed to produce intact archaeological remains but rather a scatter of material disturbed by plowing and bioturbation (plant roots, rodent burrows, etc). The building itself will be located on the lower density eastern end of the site and plans call for bringing in fill dirt to build up the area where the building will actually be located. In the 2022 and 2023 seasons we have focused our excavations on the slightly higher density western portion of the site. This area will be impacted by the drain field and a ditch along Homestead road. While the archaeological remains are not as sensitive as some other sites, we are trying to recover as much material as possible before construction begins next spring. Too find out more or to get involved either visit us at the site on a Saturday morning or see the Oxbow Archaeologist website's contact page!
The Oxbow Archaeologists completed excavations at the Badour Gate site on October 24, 2023. We are now washing and sorting artifacts from the site in the Resource Building on Saturdays and Wednesday evenings.
The Oxbow Archaeologists found this fluted Barnes point while sorting a large collection of artifacts from a site near Mapleton. The collection was donated to CNC last year.