One Village in the Mountains
The archeological records state for thousands of years Native Americans had occupied the land known as Virginia today. Between 1490 A.D. and 1530 AD, in what is now known as Bland County, a small group journeyed to a valley nestled between two mountains beside the waters of Wolf Creek. There was natural protection from the harsh winter winds, a contant source of fresh water, abundant collection of trees, wild game, nuts, herbs, clay and fertile bottom land to grow their crops. The people contructed a palisade circular village.
It is estimated that as many as 100 people made their
home in this village near what we now call Bastian, Virginia. They
lived here for several years. Where they arrived from, where their
journey took them to
and exactly who they were remains somewhat of a mystery. But they left
behind the remains of a village, and a brief story of living in
this place. It is this story that we invite you to experience
first hand.
In
2009, the village began a 3 year plan of being remodeled. The new
village will represent the 14 structures found on the
archeological site as close as possible. WCIV staff are busy
placing post for each post found on the site map recreating every
structure. Every feature (firepit, storage) will also be recreated. This
process is creating a new insight of original village life and how the
people who once inhabited this land existed.
