The Arvilla Complex is primarily defined by
burials distributed across central Minnesota, the Red River Valley and its
tributaries in Minnesota, North Dakota and Manitoba. Artifacts and skeletal
material in the sites dates from 500 to 600 AD. The Complex disappeared in the
southern part of its range by 900 AD. It may have persisted for several
centuries longer in the North.
The Complex is characterized by both linear and circular mounds with
extended or flexed complete and disarticulated primary burials, bundled
secondary burials frequently associated with red and yellow ochre. The burials
are placed in pits dug under the associated mounds. Burial goods include marine
shell, bone, and antler ornaments, bone and antler utilitarian objects, and
pottery elbow pipes. Chipped stone tools are less common than bone and antler
and pottery vessels are rare. Artifacts are primarily northern with an
intrusion of marine shell trade goods of southern origin.
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