2004 Pennsylvania Archaeologist 74(1):5-10
A Review of the Monongahela Drew Phase and an Introduction to the Drew "Tradition"
Richard L. George

The author introduces the primary theme of this volume of Pennsylvania Archaeologist; namely, an examination of the Drew tradition of the Monongahela culture. The history of the Drew site and the term Drew phase are reviewed. The author proposes that the term Drew "phase" be replaced with the term Drew "tradition", based upon evidence presented in this volume. Other Monongahela cultural phases are reviewed as a matter of background.
 

A partial excavation of the Monongahela Drew tradition Kelso site in 1971 -72 disclosed a compound stockade, burials, and a diversified representation of ceramics. The limited excavation added little to the pre-excavation assessment that the site was "V"-shaped; unusual in the Monongahela culture. The earlier of  two C - 14 dates places the Kelso site occupation at A.D. 1155, contemporaneous with other Chartiers Valley Drew tradition Monongahela sites. It is concluded that Kelso site artifacts are typical of the Drew tradition, based on comparisons with those of the Drew site itself and similar sites in the area. Discussion focuses on comparisons of site physiographic configurations, settlement patterns, subsistence economies, and artifacts of Kelso with other Drew tradition sites, particularly those located in the Chartiers Valley. Also discussed are possible ethnic origins of the Drew people and the apparent causes of their disappearance from the Chartiers Valley by the  12th century.
 

The Wilkinson site (3 6WM344) is a Late Prehistoric Monongahela village site located on a high hill in East Huntingdon Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In 1981 , the author and Christine E. Davis conducted a field school at the site for members of the Westmoreland Archaeological Society. The excavation of a 500 sq m area exposed two house patterns and a portion of a third. Artifact and settlement patterns indicate that the A.D. 1 3 th century site is a part of "Drew-Two", a new designation that defines a series of sites that share some, but not all, Drew tradition attributes.
 

Drew tradition origins, attributes, occupation dates, and site distribution are examined in light of new research. Analysis of pottery samples from a series of Drew tradition sites indicates that there are a large number of loci that do not conform to the stylistic criteria of the Drew phase, yet which are clearly still a part of the cultural entity designated in this volume as the Drew tradition. The author proposes that the term "Drew-Two" be used to identify sites which possess these unique manifestations. Lastly, the author examines theories regarding the ultimate fate of the Drew people, including the proposition that they migrated out of the Upper Ohio Valley around A.D. 1400, and eventually settled west of the Mississippi River.
 

Located in western Washington County, Pennsylvania, the multi-component Dunsfort site (36WH477) was partially excavated by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and volunteers in 1 992-93 . Artifacts from the Middle/Late Woodland locus are typical of the Fairchance phase, as recorded at the Fairchance Mound and Village, Marshall County, West Virginia. The presence of four species of native cultigens qualifies Dunsfort as an "eastern agricultural complex" site. Significant evidence at Dunsfort indicates that the site was primary used as a seasonal black walnut processing camp. Middle/Late Woodland people were apparently using heated stones to facilitate the cracking of the hard walnut shells; perhaps the first documented case of such a procedure. It is also hypothesized that the Fairchance Notched points, which are found in abundance at the site, functioned as hafted tools employed for remo ing nutmeat. Also of interest is the dating of the previously undated Garvers Ferry Corner Notched point type at approximately A.D. 640, based on a radiocarbon date from an associated feature.