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Dayton, Ohio: SunWatch Indian Village: Dog Skeletons

800-year-old Indian village, built as a giant sun calendar. See the skeletons of sacrificed dogs that were buried in a ceremonial house.

Address:
2301 W. River Rd, Dayton, OH
Directions:
I-75 exit 51. Drive west on Edwin C. Moses Blvd. After the third stoplight turn left onto W. River Rd. Drive until it ends. Parking lot on the right.
Hours:
April-Nov. Tu-Sa 9-5, Su 12-5; Dec.-Mar. Sa 9-5, Su 12-5 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
937-268-8199
Admission:
Adults $7.
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Visitor Tips and News About SunWatch Indian Village: Dog Skeletons

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SunWatch Indian Village.

SunWatch Indian Village: Dog Skeletons

Nice historical sight. I wouldn't call it Roadside America oddity material but I'm really glad we stopped. Reasonable prices, run by nonprofit.

[Cozysocks, 07/28/2019]

Village.

SunWatch Indian Village: Dog Skeletons

I recommend visiting in the Fall, when the "three sisters" gardens are at their prettiest. If you're nice, the employee might give you a heads-up regarding which direction to take to avoid field trip groups.

[Kitsa, 07/08/2017]

Also, please direct us to the dog skeleton display.

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park - Dog Skeletons

SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park is reconstructed on the archaeological site of an 800 year old village. You can go inside the Indian houses, watch a video, and see displays in the museum. The face of a villager, found in one of the burials, has been scientifically reconstructed so you can see what the people looked like. There's even a couple of dog skeletons, which were sacrificially buried in their ceremonial house. The village was set up as a giant sun calendar, so that's how it got its name. The site is tucked away on the riverside, stuck between a sewer plant and the town dump! It's worth the effort to find it, because it's an actual Native American site, not a fake model like some other places! It's a nonprofit, so support it!

[Jill Malusky, 03/23/2003]

Nearby Offbeat Places

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Big Apple Made of FlatwareBig Apple Made of Flatware, Dayton, OH - 2 mi.
In the region:
Legend of Ha Ha Pizza, Yellow Springs, OH - 19 mi.

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