Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Nottoway River, winding through southeastern Virginia, holds significant archaeological sites that illuminate the region's deep human history. Two notable locations stand out:
Located in Nottoway County, this site preserves evidence of the Occoneechee people, a Siouan-speaking tribe that occupied the region during the Late Woodland and Contact periods (circa 1000–1700 CE). The site includes village remnants, burial mounds, and artifacts reflecting trade networks extending to the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. Excavations have revealed pottery, stone tools, and European trade goods, documenting the dramatic cultural transformations wrought by colonial contact.
Straddling Nottoway and Dinwiddie Counties, this site encompasses both prehistoric Native American occupations and the remains of Civil War-era fortifications. The area's strategic location near the Petersburg railroad lines made it militarily significant. Archaeological work has uncovered projectile points, ceramics, and military artifacts spanning thousands of years of human use.
Together, these sites demonstrate the Nottoway River's enduring role as a corridor for settlement, trade, and conflict—from ancient indigenous communities to the upheavals of the American Civil War. They are managed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and offer valuable insights into the region's layered past.