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3D bird’s eye view map of Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota amid broader view of Knife River’s path toward the Missouri River, which winds out in the distance. Strips of green land surround the blue rivers, while surrounding land further out is tan. A dozen points are noted around the rivers.

Extended Description

The historic site is shaped like a diamond on top of a triangle. The Knife River runs through it from the west side and down, before curving around to rejoin the Missouri River. This description will work from left to right to note 7 historic villages, represented by small clusters and rings of mounds, and 2 forts, represented by a triangle and a square. Several points are labeled in the Hidatsa language with English translations.

The Knife River (Mé?chi?aashish Mááhį Pasah [M] neesihUsAhaánu [A]) snakes toward the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site from the west.

Within the park boundaries, above the river is Big Hidatsa Village (Mirahací Awadish, or “willow village”), from circa 1600 to 1845.

Below the river, inside the park boundaries, is Sakakawea Village (Awadixáá, or “elongated village”), from the 1790s to 1834.

Below that is Lower Hidatsa Village (Awadixáá Xíe, or “lower elongated village”) from circa 1525 to 1780.

Just below the park boundaries and on the Knife’s west bank is Ahami Village (Awaxá?wi, or “mountain [butte] village”) from the 1790s to 1834.

Over to the Missouri River (Awáádi Máátah [M] čiinaaNišíšu [A], or “river”), where the Knife joins the Missouri is Rhuptare Village (Awa?ihbú Awadish [M], or “earth point village”) from the 1790s to circa 1806.

On the opposite bank further right is the Deapolis Village (Awadí Oogo?shdásh [M], or “village of few”) from circa 1806 to 1837.

Heading farther east on the river’s south bank is a point known by two names at different points: Mitu’ahakto’s (M) (“east village” or “first village”) from 1822 to 1837 and niineesawatuúNU (A) (“over the rise”) from 1838 to 1860.

Right next to this site is Fort Clark, represented as a square, from 1831 to 1860.

Directly above Fort Clark, on the north bank, is Fort Mandan, represented by a triangle, the site of a Lewis and Clark encampment from 1804 to 1805.