The natives of this region of what would eventually become Michigan called themselves the Concrete People. Did you know the word we used for fabricated stone is actually a Native American word? The Concrete lived in this area circa 400-1100 AD; a lot longer than we late comers have lived in Michigan! This was one of the largest villages in the region with approximately 500 permanent residents at the peak thriving on farmed squash, corn, and beans, and trading with other villages closer to the great lakes for the large fish that swam there.
Based on the archaeological evidence, the Concrete were a people of small stature at only 4 to 4 1/2 ft tall. You can see the evidence in their master stonework (after all: that's where we got the word Concrete from!) and see evidence of their small stature in their homes. The Concretes were eventually absorbed into other surrounding tribes; disputes never turned out very well, so the fact that this tribe lasted for 700 years is quite a tribute! Disputes were troublesome for the Concretes because of their comparatively small stature and their penchant for expressing their stonework skills in all aspects of life: concrete arrows don't work nearly as well as wood shafts and feather fletching.
It is said that the walls of the Concrete Peoples' houses were covered with great sketches and drawings. This was one way they could express themselves in a more light hearted way; after all: no matter how good your stonework skills, concrete is still gray! Nine hundered years of weather have taken a toll on the artwork.
The Chief's house was in the center of the village; the rest of the tribe lived around his house. On the outside edge of the village lived the outcasts and the sickly tribe people. You can see their areas from the cache site too, near the tree line.
The cache is a plastic 35# kitty litter box with a few trading items and some plasticized paper for the log. Also, there is a box of sidewalk chalk for the kids (and the kids at heart!). We've received extra special permission from the archaeologists to draw pictures on the village walls to restore the area back to what it was 900 years ago. Any Concrete arrows found must be turned into the park office!
Have FUN & remember that, some imagination will keep you young.
My Thanks to the Island Park staff for approval of this cache in their fine park.
Special thanks to TreePlanter for the original cache here! GC1M3CM
Permit ILRA #15-050A
Group making the find and artwork, too!
