Nez Perce Village

The sign's figures match Hatwai, the village site on the far bank downstream near the Clearwater River Casino, excavated in 1977 and 1978. Archaeologists sampled ten pit houses there and estimated at least thirty more unexcavated, and the National Register nomination calls it the largest village on the Columbia Plateau between about 4,400 and 3,300 years ago, a size not matched again until the last two thousand years. Its oldest tools date to nearly 11,000 years ago. The Nez Perce know it as a former village with political ties to Lapwai, the reservation's seat.

What the plaque says

Nez Perce Village This important archaeological site--occupied for 10,000 years or more--has at least 10 pit houses as much as 5000 years old. Two styles of houses were used. Some were fairly square with interior benches dug out for use by a family or two. Others were round--20 to 30 feet wide and two to three feet deep--but lacked benches. This village reached its height from about 4100 to 2600 years ago, but remained important enough that when fur traders arrived in 1812, they made this their main camp. 332 Text prepared by the Idaho Historical Society Marker made & installed by Idaho Transportation Department

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Spalding — 3.4 mi
  The Nimiipuu went to St. Louis asking about a book. What came back was a mission, a printing press and a museum.

More markers nearby

• Coyote's Fishnet — steps away
• Ant & Yellowjacket — 2.4 mi
• Spalding's Mission — 3.6 mi
• Lapwai Mission — 4.6 mi