SUMAC BLUFF

THE SUMAC BLUFF SITE (20MD25)

(by Scott Beld)

The Sumac Bluff site (State Site Number: 20MD25) is a prehistoric Archaic and Woodland site on the grounds of Chippewa Nature Center. The site is located on the banks of the Chippewa river just north of its confluence with the Pine river. Excavations were conducted at the site in the summers of 1971 and 1972 under the direction of Fel Brunett and Michigan State University student Rodney E. McCurdy. In 1976, Doreen Ozker published this material in the Michigan Archaeologist Volume 44, Number 4, pages 283-313.

Since Dr. Ozker published the material from this site our knowledge of Michigan's prehistory has increased and new interpretations, particularly with regard to the dating of some of the material from the site, can be offered. Photographs of most of the diagnostic artifacts, including the pottery which was not illustrated in the original report, can be found by following these links:

SUMAC BLUFF SITE, MARCH 20, 2004

This photograph shows the Sumac Bluff site as it appears today looking to the southwest. Today CNC's "Sugar House" is located on the site and this photograph was taken during CNC's Maple Syrup Festival. The large oak tree on the extreme left is where measurements for the site were taken from. The excavations were conducted in the vicinity of the "Sugar House" and to its left -- approximately 150 feet west of the oak tree.

Return to Chippewa Nature Center.

Return to the Michigan Archaeological Society.

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