Reported by: Noah Bond
Email: nbond@wpsdtv.com
Last Update: 1/10 7:31 am 
Construction Reveals 1600 Year Old Signs of Human Life in Marion, Illinois
Portions of Southern Illinois are showing signs of growth, but especially in Marion. The cities grown by 1,100 people in seven years, sparking construction projects across the area. One of the latest, is a major distribution center proposed to go up east of the city, but this project hit a snag of sorts. . . when a group of archeologists, from American Resources Group, found pieces of ancient pottery on the construction site.
The pottery dates back to 400AD, that's more than 1600 years ago before the time of Christopher Columbus. The recovered pottery fragments are a window of sorts, to the lives of the native americans who lived on this land so long ago.
Archeologist Steven Titus, says the pottery and other artifacts found indicate the people who anciently owned them traveled in yearly patterns, cooked, and we're probably known for planting and harvesting starchy crops, known today as goose foot. The weed produces clusters of seeds. There is also evidence of squash cultivation.
The pottery pieces were found in a field in the holes Native Americans once used to store food and eventually trash, making them valuable time capsules.
How many others clues lay beneath Marions surface is still a mystery progress could soon crack wide open, thanks in part to the cities growth and expected future construction sites. Houses are still going up. a half million gallon water storage tank is in the works to ease the growing water demands. In addition, city leaders are considering plans for new upper class motels in the area.
Along with the pottery pieces and food archeologist found animal remains, stone tools, charcoal. They each contain important clues about how the people who used them lived 1,600 years ago. Researchers will have to wait about another three weeks to excavate the rest of the site. If things go as scheduled, construction on the distribution center could start late this summer.
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