The East Terrace Site
Hearths

Seven concentrations of cobbles that are probably parts of old fire hearths were uncovered during the excavations. They ranged in diameter from two to five feet and contained between 10 and 40 cobbles each. What distinguishes these rocks from other cobbles at the site was their arrangement within dense rings filled with black, organically-stained soil and charcoal. A majority of the rocks were also cracked and reddish. When rock is heated to high temperatures, as would occur in a hearth, its crystals expand. As the rock cools, they contract. After being repeatedly heated and cooled some rocks turn reddish, develop cracks, and eventually split. All of these clues support the conclusion that the seven features are remnants of old fire hearths.

The 'Preserving Minnesota's Cultural Resources' web site is jointly sponsored by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Agreement No. 75077.