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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist
73(1):1-7 |
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An examination of the four town names of the
Massawomeck Confederacy recorded by Henry F1eet in 1632 lends support to the
theory that the Confederacy was multi-lingual, with Algonquian and Iroquoian
components. The presence of Petroglyphs adds further support to this thesis. In
addition, a case is made that the Hereckeenes, a non-Massawomeck tribe mentioned
by F1eet, were Algonquian speakers, linked with various toponyms including
Allegheny. |
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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 73(1):8-54+errata |
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The Foley Farm site (36GR 52) is a multi-component
sitelocated on the headwaters of the W heeling Creek drainage in western Greene
County, Pennsylvania. It is the type site that defines the Foley Farm phase of
Monongahela culture. Traits that characterize this protohistoric phase include
an artifact assemblage of native and European manufacture: ceramics with
pronounced punctated collars and corded-dowel decorated interior lips of
collarless vessels; "foreign" style ceramics from eastern Ohio; ceramic beads;
and seventeenth century trade items of iron, copper, brass and glass. A
distinctive burial program and a nonfortified community pattern are also
indicative traits of the phase. In 1983 and 1984 the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission (PHMC) conducted archaeological investigations at the site,
where an internal community pattern of planned house rings and a petal structure
ascribed to a terminal Monongahela culture occupation dated to the ca.
1570/80-1615/120-35 A.D., period was revealed. Sub-plowzone features of
Monongahela ascription including postmolds, semi-subterranean post-lined storage
pits, hearths, burial pits containing the remains of sub-adults and, a small
bank slope sheet midden were identified at the southeast edge of the site.
Meager evidence of earlier campsite utilization by Late Archaic through Middle
Woodland groups was present on the site proper and is indicated by an assemblage
of diagnostic bifaces and other lithic artifacts from the plowzone stratum.
Issues currently under debate regarding Monongahela house architecture, petal
structure function and the displacement/demise of the Monongahela culture are
also addressed. |
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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 73(1):55-74 |
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Within the Schuylkill River drainage of southeastern
Pennsylvania archaeological investigations at the Rivercrest Site (36MG 112 )
uncovered stratified colluvial deposits at the foot of a hillslope. Previous
investigations interpreted the footslope to contain bioturbated sediments with
little archaeological significance. Contrary to this interpretation, recent
excavations exposed a complex soil profile with colluvially transported parent
material and a distinct artifact horizon. In order to understand the nature of
these deposits sand grain granulometric analysis was employed . This paper
evaluates the effectiveness of particle size analysis in establishing a
relationship between colluvial deposition and human occupation. The outcome of
this investigation indicates that these techniques can provide a useful means to
understanding sedimentation and human habitation patterns at archaeological
sites in upland settings. |
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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 73(2):2-15 |
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The Hershey site (36La l162) , a small, unpalisaded
Susquehannock village, was excavated by Penn State field schools under the
direction of the late James Hatch during 1998 and 1999. This site has
significant implications for interpretations of Susquehannock settlement
patterns and demography. |
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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 73(2):16-30 |
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The Hershey Site (36La1162) is a contact period
Susquehannock village site located in western Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Excavations during the 1998 and 1999 field seasons indicate the site was
occupied for only a short time during the mid-17th century. The analysis of
trade artifacts from the Hershey Site and comparison to other nearby
Susquehannock villages is yielding new insights into the chronology and
settlement pattern of the region. These data provide a more detailed
understanding of Susquehannock adaptations to a rapidly changing socio-cultural
landscape. |
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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 73(2):31-48 |
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The Mount Davis Tar Kiln site 36So287 is located atop a high
mountain summit in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Local oral
tradition holds that the remains of a trench system and earthen
mounds represent t he ruins of a 19th century pitch pine tar
rendering operation. An archaeological surface survey of the kiln
site was conducted for the generation of a plan view map and surface
elevation profiles. A general history of the American tar making
industry and tar kiln design is reviewed. This general history
provides a context from which the local oral history of the kiln
site is evaluated against the physical evidence collected by the
surface survey. From the evidence presented a history of pitch pine
tar making in the Mount Davis area is proposed |
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2003 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 73(2):49-58 |
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The Vickers Pottery (36Ch l l8) operated from 1823 to 1882 in
central Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles northwest of
Philadelphia. A collection of redware vessel sherds recovered from
the original site of the pottery is housed by the West Chester
University Department of Anthropology and Sociology. The analysis of
this collection seeks to standardize and de scribe the range of
vessels produced at and re covered from the site of the
Vickers Pottery. Results offer a window through which to
view the work of a family of known potters during a specific and
especially long time-period. It assists in painting the
picture of life in the country on the outskirts of
Philadelphia in a nation that was still struggling through change.
The outcome will contribute to the understanding of the local
potting tradition of Chester County. Because there is a
definitive link between this pottery assemblage and the Vickers
family, the collection can be considered something of a type
collection, offering a point of comparison for understanding
links between local potteries and the regional range of
distinctive styles and traditions. |
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