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Dakota Midday: Exciting Finds At Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

Archeology Laboratory, Augustana College

Researchers and students from Augustana College and the University of Exeter in England are finishing up their work at the Thomsen Center Archeodome at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. This summer the team made some interesting finds. Last month they uncovered 1,000 year old charred kernels of corn and sunflower seeds. This past weekend they found an intact ceramic pot. It’s small, but it’s the first time archeologists have found an intact piece of pottery since regular research started at the site in 1928.

Adrien Hannus is director of the archeology laboratory at Augustana and the project director at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village. He joined Dakota Midday and discussed the significance of this summer's discoveries.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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