Digging up the Past at KaDoHa Village

For most people, when they think of Murfreesboro, the Crater of Diamonds State Park is the first thing that comes to mind and rightfully so. It is the only diamond mine in the world where the public is invited to dig openly. That’s a big deal because it is one of 7-8 places in the world where diamonds are still actively being produced. And they operate under a “finder’s keepers” mindset; whatever you dig up, you get to take home.

But, down the road is another gem of a destination – The Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village. It’s hard to miss its location when you arrive in town, but many overlook this stop when researching and planning. After a great family visit during spring break, I would say it is a not-miss destination in South Arkansas.

KaDoHa Indian Village in Murfreesboro, Arkansas is a fun family destination in Southwest Arkansas. It is a great visit to complement the Crater of Diamond State Park, day trip from Hot Springs, or skip all those destinations and just come here to learn more about the Native Americans who called this land home, and dig for your own gems or complete a metal detector tour to find military and Indian artifacts.

The Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village is a preserved archaeological site committed to studying and telling the story of the Ka-Do-Ha people. Derived from a Spanish word, kadohadocho, meaning “real chiefs,” their archeological mounds are topographically identifiable as you pull up but exploring what they contained is the real treasure of the trip.

These grounds were inhabited by Native Americans more than 1000 years ago as a camp and ritual site and were later a troop gathering field during the Civil War. An amateur archeologist excavated the place in 1964. A young man had been hunting on his grandfather’s land when he came across the mounds, and his grandfather sent in the young archeologist.

The Kadohadcho council was highly respected and part of a more prominent tribe or Confederacy as it was called, consisting of six divisions. This council met on these hallowed grounds conducting leadership meetings, ritual sacrifices and corporate tribal gatherings. Many of the artifacts gathered on this site and displayed in the Trading Post indicate this was a very agriculturally based society that used the area woods to collect and preserve medicinal herbs, berries and roots.

Another indicating factor of this tribe is their pottery. Considered the “true original American artist,” basins, jars and jugs, as well as shell and glass fibers used to make hair and jewelry accessories are on display in the museum section. They believed their leaders had sovereign power until death, and as these burial mounds were excavated, many of the pieces on display had been buried with the chiefs to help transport them into their afterlife. This Mound Builder community is remarkable.

Highlights of a visit to the Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village

Visitor Digging site
Ancient Art Exhibit
Burial Grounds
Picnic Areas
Gem Mining
Metal detector excursion
Historic Indian Trading Post

Do not leave Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village without trying out the Gemstone Adventure, where they promise a genuine cut diamond in every bucket. If you are coupling this excursion with a visit to the Crater of Diamond State Park, you might be frustrated by an empty sifter. Not here, everyone who buys a bucket goes home with a bag of gems, and some might say less cranky children and grandparents!

Other Native American Historical Destinations and Features across Arkansas:

Fort Smith | Trail of Tears walkway on Fort Smith National Historic Site, the last departure of all five Native American tribes into Indian Territory as part of the Indian Removal Act of 1830
Scott | Toltec Mounds Archeological Park is the largest Native American site in the Mississippi River valley
Parkin | Parkin Archeological State Park preserves the site of a 17-acre Native American village that Hernando de Soto first explored
Bentonville | Museum of Native American History houses the private collection of David
Arkadelphia | Caddo Indian pottery at Clark County Historical Museum and Ouachita Baptist University campus library, Salt Mine remnants on Courthouse lawn
DeQueen | Caddo Indian Ritual Site and Salt Mine as well as lead way for the Fort Townsend Arm of the Trail of Tears
Crystal Springs | Burls Smokehouse includes Mayan and Aztec artifacts from around the country
Little Rock | Mount Holly Cemetery is the burial site of Elizabeth “Quatie” Ross, wife of the Cherokee chief John Ross and died aboard the steamboat Victoria while completing the final Cherokee Nation detachment
Garfield | Battle of Pea Ridge National Historic Site preserves and shares details of the battle on the hill. This location was the first site of Indian Troops’ participation in the Civil War.
Across the State | the National Park Service has recognized the Trail of Tears as a National Historic Landmark. NPS provides an interactive map to follow three paths along different portions of the state.
Similarly, the Arkansas Heritage Trail provides a driving path along the Removal Routes and history of the Trail of Tears and struggles in 31 Arkansas cities.