The Mooney site (Smithsonian trinomial: 21NR29) is a precontact Native American archaeological site on the Red River Levee in Norman County, Minnesota. It is a multicomponent site consisting of remains from both the Archaic and Woodland traditions. No diagnostic Archaic artifacts were found. However, animal remains and lithic materials recovered from one meter below the Woodland artifacts returned a carbon 14 date that provided the basis for the Archaic classification. The Woodland tradition is defined by a vertical scatter of materials, dated to about 1000 using thermoluminescence methods. Many animal bones were found at the site, reflecting a great emphasis on a wide range of hunting activity that focused on bison. Artifacts such as local and exotic lithic materials were found, as well as a wide variety of pottery and other ceramic remains. Much of the pottery followed the Sandy Lake model; however, some artifacts were placed in a new class of artisanship known as Red River Ware. Site information The Mooney site is a very large archaeological site, around 109 square meters, located in Norman County of northwest Minnesota. Its northern tip is located one hundred and fifty meters south of the Red River. It is a multicomponent site spanning the Plains Archaic and Woodland Periods which date to approximately 3400–940 B.P. It has produced evidence of big and small game hunting as well as fishing. It reflects at least two settlements over an unknown period of time but including a warm-season occupation. All but of the site's surface have been disturbed by plowing. The northwestern and southern tips of the site were destroyed many years ago when soil was taken and used, for dike construction. Artifacts can still be found on the dike near the south side. Woodland evidence The Woodland remains show at least two settlements over an unknown amount of time; however, it is known that this time included some warm seasons. The majority of artifacts recovered from the Woodland period were pottery. Pottery was discovered at 1825 locations and at least 68 vessels are represented by the remains. Fifty-one of the vessels are thought to belong to a pottery classification known as Salt Lake ware. Salt Lake ware is a well known ceramic style common to central and eastern Minnesota and is defined by its straight rim and chord marked decoration style. Six other vessels are thought to belong to a style of pottery known