Archaeologists find stone arrowheads in North America

Archaeologists have found hundreds of 1200-year-old stone arrowheads and pottery fragments buried under an Illinois hillside.

The discovery near a village about 56km east of St Louis is "a significant site. They discovered a keyhole-shaped house and what appears to be a small village", said Brad Koldehoff, a state archaeologist.

"Keyhole" houses are dwellings made of clay and logs with rooms half submerged in the ground. The large, dome-shaped living area at one end was reached by a long, straight, covered entrance, hence the name "keyhole".

Microscopic examination of debris from their ancient garbage pits shows the inhabitants ate venison and turkey, plus what are today considered weeds. One common dish was a sort of pancake made from the seeds of knot weed.

The village dates from the Late Woodland period, from about 600 to 800AD, said Koldehoff.