Drone technology reveals ancient farming practices in Michigan

In recent research conducted in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Dartmouth archaeologists, in collaboration with Menominee tribal leaders, employed drone technology to uncover new insights about ancient farming systems established by ancestral Menominee communities. This location, situated along the Michigan-Wisconsin border, has been recognized for its historical significance, including burial mounds and village sites excavated in previous decades. By using lidar technology, researchers were able to detect agricultural ridges, building foundations, and burial mound locations that had long been concealed by forest growth. This advancement allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the agricultural practices that took place around the year 1000, with evidence suggesting that these practices were refined over the subsequent 600 years. The archaeologists focused their survey efforts on 330 acres but noted that evidence suggests the site may extend to twice this area. Drone surveys took place in May 2023. Following the survey, excavation at three agricultural ridges near the Menominee River revealed broken ceramics, charcoal samples, and soil modifications that indicate significant agricultural activity in the area. Radiocarbon dating of the charcoal samples pinpointed the period of construction and use to around 1000 CE. The collective findings demonstrate that the Menominee ancestors executed a sophisticated farming system, which included modified soil and topographies to enhance the cultivation of crops such as corn at a northern limit for its growth. The historical context provided by this research helps to preserve the heritage of the region and contributes to the wider understanding of indigenous agricultural practices in North America.