The archaeology of Minnesota is of interest for three principal reasons. Its geographical situation near the center of the continent, where it is the only state having drainage to the Arctic Ocean, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Gulf of Mexico, gives it importance in the consideration of migrations of early man and of the late prehistoric westward movements of various Indian groups. Until recently, the archaeology of this large area was less well known than that of other areas in the region, so an increased knowledge of it will be of value in contributing to a better understanding of the known archaeological manifestations of the central and northeastern parts of the United States. Finally, over most of the state the last prehistoric remains are of the Woodland pattern, giving an especially good opportunity for a study of that pattern in a relatively unaffected form.
Arktisk råds rolle i polarpolitikken
