During the summer of 1969, a large number of burial grounds were
found and excavated at the outlet of Gull Lake. This was directed by Alan
Kutchera. These mounds were irregularly shaped and seemed to show signs of dual
and even triple burials in one mound. The total site, located on the eastern
edge of the Gull Lake dam, contained twelve complete burial sites and parts of
others.
The actual first work done on the site was by Alan Boraas in the summer of 1968. This initial work was a sketchy burial mound location map. When Dr. Boraas informed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of his finds they requested the University of Wisconsin, where Boraas taught, to excavate. In 1969 the university heeded the request and sent Alan Kutchera, a graduate student of Dr. Boraas. Kutchera's wife, Marsha, contributed as cook for her husband's first lead role as field excavation director.
There is at least a forty mile radius around the Gull Lake Site were no excavations have been done. There were also burial mounds close to the Gull Lake find near the Mille Lacs Lake area, all of which have been heavily disturbed and covered by lake shore cabins and road construction. The Gull Lake Dam Site is extremely significant in this regard. It is important for plotting and documenting the prehistoric significance of this region of Minnesota.
The evidence from excavation of the Gull Lake Site is very interesting and valuable to the prehistoric knowledge of the region. It was found that the area was indeed a burial site of massive importance. The projectile points, stone flake debris and pottery found on the site gave evidence of Malmo and Kern inhabitants. The same were found in the Mille Lacs area carbon-dated to periods of 800 B.C. and 200 A.D. The Gull Lake dam excavation site is the only undisturbed site in the area and will be explored further.