The Southwold Earthworks National Site of Canada, Ontario
The Southwold Earthworks, located near St. Thomas Ontario was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1923. The earthworks are the only visible signs that exist today of a former civilization that existed here over 500 years ago. The Attiwondaronk Nation which once stretched from Kent County to the Niagara peninsula made this area their home. The site contains the remains of an aboriginal village that may have included as many as 24 longhouses. The double walled earthworks is fascinating. The outer earthworks surround a 2 acre oval shaped village except where a stream entered and exited. This outer palisade was constructed first. Posts, or tree trucks pointed on the bottom were driven into the ground. Earth from both sides was scrapped leaving the present trench. The inner palisade was made in much the same way with soil again taken from around the base and put against the posts.
