Archaeology is the recovery of material evidence remaining from the past.

Archaeological discoveries of early Indian settlements have been made in Southeastern Virginia.

Why is archaeology important?

Archaeologists study human behavior and culture through the recovery and analysis of artifacts.

Scientists are not in agreement as to when and how people entered the Western Hemisphere.

Where is one of the oldest archaeological sites in the United States located?

Cactus Hill is located on the Nottoway River in southeastern Virginia.

Evidence that humans lived at Cactus Hill as early as 15,000 years ago makes it one of the oldest sites in North America.

An archaeologist excavating at Cactus Hill.

Artifacts such as these found at CactusHill provide archaeologists with evidence about the people who used to live there.These stone tools date back about 15,000 years.