1,000-Year-Old Corn Cobs, Kernels Found at Mitchell Site

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — Archaeologists in southeastern South Dakota have uncovered corn cobs, corn kernels and sunflower kernels that are more than 1,000 years old.

Officials say the discoveries at the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell show that people who lived in the region at the time had a diverse diet.

The village is the only active archaeological site open to the public in South Dakota. Students from the University of Exeter in England and Augustana College in Sioux Falls work every year at the site that holds dual status as a National Register and National Historic Landmark site.

Augustana archaeology professor Adrien Hannus told The Daily Republic that the new discoveries indicate the village dwellers weren't exactly primitive. He says it was a successful village of farmers, hunters and foragers.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.