River Basin Surveys Papers, No. 33: Paul Brave Site (32SI4), Oahe Reservoir Area, North Dakota

In 1947 an archeological field party, sponsored by the University of North Dakota and the State Historical Society of North Dakota, carried out excavations in the upper limits of the Oahe Reservoir, in North Dakota. Test excavations were made at the Paul Brave site (32SI4). also known as the Fort Yates site. The elevation of this prehistoric village is between 1,600 and 1,610 feet. The site will be flooded by the Oahe Reservoir when backwater reaches the maximum pool level of 1,620 feet. The work in 1947 was directed by Dr. Gordon W. Hewes, then with the University of North Dakota. The limited excavations in 1947 indicated the desirabiEty of further and more intensive work at the site, and in 1955 the State Historical Society of North Dakota sponsored a second party for full-scale excavation. Funds were made available for this archeological salvage work through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. The excavation was carried out between July 6, 1955, and August 30, 1955.