The Fort Ancient people chose this area because it offered a mix of useful resources. Forests provided nuts, berries, firewood, and timber for houses. Small prairies like this one supplied tall grasses for house roofs and habitat for deer, elk, and turkey. Fish, mussels, and other aquatic food sources were harvested from the river. Animals like white tailed deer were hunted for meat, but also provided bone tools, sinew for cordage, and hides for making teather.