-Messenger file photo
Field archaeologist Dave Bartlett hands a piece of fire-cracked stone to fellow archaeologist Liz Niec, left, after the rocks were discovered near First Avenue North and Third Street. Bill Whittaker, project archaeologist with the Office of State Archaeologist, explained that the stones, found several inches below the original topsoil level, are probably prehistoric from an American Indian camp site. Without any pottery shards or arrow heads, Whittaker could not estimate their age. The crews were in the area searching for archaeological evidence of the original Fort Dodge.