The site covers more than 3 acres and extends 30 feet down into the alluvial deposits of the Illinois River valley.

Other significant discoveries made at the site include early evidence of North Americans using stones to grind food and keeping domesticated dogs.

[5] Artifacts and evidence from the excavation helped archeologists revise their thinking about early inhabitants from nomads to a sedentary people living in year round structures.

The discovery was made by Northwestern University anthropologist Stuart Struever who stumbled on the farm and the rich trove of historically significant artifacts that lay beneath the cornfields after a tip from a local farmer.

Under his leadership, the site became one of the largest excavations of its era, drawing over 10,000 yearly visitors; it is considered to be the Center for American Archeology's most important discovery.