The Attiwandaronk Prehistoric Earthworks was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1923 and is now under the care of Parks Canada.
Please use the Green Historical plaques for your self-guided tour.
The earthworks are the only visible remains of a native village inhabited around AD 1500 by the Attiwondaronk Nation. The double wall of earthworks constitutes one of the most remarkable features of the village. The unusual land formations Southwold Earthworks National Historic Site of Canada, is located near Iona, Ontario, Canada. It is a rare and well-preserved example of an Aboriginal fortified village completely surrounded by earthworks, built by the Attiwandaron (Neutral Iroquois) between about A.D. 1450 and 1550.
Archaeological evidence indicates that the Attiwandaronk Neutrals once occupied a fortified site here at Iona. The Southwold Earthworks was one of the first sites considered for official recognition by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, and was purchased by the Canadian federal government in 1929. Two major archaeological investigations were conducted at Southwold Earthworks, in 1935 during the Great Depression and in 1976. Oral tradition within the local Oneida community speculates that Southwold was used as a ceremonial site, which was enclosed by the palisade so that activities taking place within the village were screened from the view of people outside the wall. According to the same oral tradition, the site would have been occupied not as a year-round village, but as a seasonal place of pilgrimage. The palisade was not defensive in nature, but protected a center for healing and purification rituals. Archaeologists found the site atypical of Neutral villages of the period. It is located on flat land with no natural defensive advantages and, despite the presence of apparent fortifications it contains no evidence of ever having been attacked. Although archaeological estimates of site population were that about 800 people could have lived there, the site has little evidence of the refuse and garbage of occupation.
This is the only Iroquoian village administered by Parks Canada that is commemorated as a village in itself.
1. Answer the following questions: Using the coordinates N 42 40.436 W 081 21.562. a. What years were archaeological excavations conducted? b. What makes these earthworks unique? c. Post a photo from these coordinates with your GPS in the photo capturing a unique site aspect.
To log this find please send your answers to the cache owner. Please do not post in logbook.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.