Millelacs Aspect

  One of the most interesting aspects of the Woodland pattern in Minnesota is the Mille Lacs. It is believed to have been the culture of the Sioux or Dakota Indians. The Sioux inhabited Mille Lacs Lake and are believed to have spread out from this area. The discovery of earthen vessels for cooking food, and bones of deceased relatives (carried with them to be placed somewhere else) have been made.

The shores of Mille Lacs Lake are covered with many mounds and village sites where pottery (believed to have been made by the Sioux) has been found. We know these sites do not belong to the Chippewa because they made no pottery and are not known to build mounds. However, the parts of the vessels which were found have different designs to them. Sometimes being made by pieces of wood being notched and making impressions in the clay by pressing against it, or making circular marks with the end of the stick. Some of the pottery found have a resemblance to that of the Hopwell Indian's work, however, no Hopwell sites are known of in the state

Although different mounds all across Minnesota have been studied with the assumption that Mille Lacs type are mainly concentrated in the central part of the state, the exact boundaries are not known.