General Subsistence

© Photographed July 21, 2015

Aztalan State Park

Jefferson, Jefferson County, Wisconsin

43.063353, -88.861921

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General Subsitence

Aztalan is located in a rich natural environment, where a variety of food and other resources are available within a short distance. Domesticated plants, particularly corn, were important, but they continued to gather wild foods such as hickory nuts, acorns, and berries. People hunted large quantities of deer; however, elk, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, fox, and turtle were also hunted and eaten regularly. Birds such as passenger pigeons, ducks, turkey, goose, and swan were skillfully hunted, but villagers are also fond of fish and aquatic wildlife, which could be caught in abundance in the nearby rivers and wetlands. Catfish, bass, suckers, buffalo fish, pike, drum, gar and mussels are all represented in the archaeological deposits. Some meat, fish, and plant foods were processed and stored in pits for later use. There was also abundant wood for building and for fires, plenty of plant fibers for weaving and house construction, and other raw materials to be made into artifacts. 

General  Subsistence

Examples of three different kinds of subsistence activities, and the kinds of tools required. Drawings were done by Ann Hatfield, 1982.

The marker is one of a series of markers located on the grounds of Aztalan State Park, located at N6200 County Rd Q, Jefferson, Wisconsin 53549.

Wisconsin State Park System: Aztalan State Park

Friends of Aztalan State Park

Wisconsin Historical Society: Mississippian Culture and Aztalan

Wisconsin Historical Society Press: Aztalan: Mysteries of an Ancient Indian Town

Aztalan has remained a mystery since the early 19th century when it was discovered by settlers who came to the Crawfish River, 50 miles west of Milwaukee. Who were the early indigenous people who inhabited this place? When did they live here? Why did they disappear? Robert Birmingham and Lynne Goldstein attempt to unlock some of the mysteries, providing insights and information about the group of people who first settled here in 1100 A.D. Filled with maps, drawings, and photographs of artifacts, this volume examines a time before modern Native American people settled in this area.

To receive a review copy or press release, to schedule an author event, or for more information contact the WHS Press Marketing Department:

whspress@wisconsinhistory.org.

Note: This book meets and exceeds the requirements of the Wisconsin American Indian Education Act (Act 31).

The foregoing content used with permission of Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Aztalan is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Wisconsin.

Click here to view all markers at Aztalan State Park.

The marker is in the middle of the property.

Dexter in Doggie Heaven!

 The Visitor Center was closed the day of my visit.

The marker was located at Aztalan State Park in Jefferson, Wisconsin.