The Mitchell Indigenous Archaeological Site & Museum

The Mitchell Prehistoric Indigenous Archaeological Site & Museum in Mitchell, South Dakota is the only active archaeological excavation in the state open to the public. Visitors can watch archaeologists uncover a 1,000-year-old Plains Village while exploring artifacts, a reconstructed earthen lodge, and interactive exhibits inside the Thomsen Center Archeodome and Boehnen Memorial Museum.

With more than four million artifacts discovered, the Mitchell Site offers a rare opportunity to experience archaeology in action and learn about the Indigenous communities who once lived along the shores of Lake Mitchell. Outdoor exhibits, native plant gardens, and cultural artwork further connect visitors to the landscape and heritage of the Northern Plains.