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Archaeological Research

2008 Ford Scholars Project Description

Description of the Project:

Since 2004, I have been involved in a long-term project in the Mid-Hudson Valley, investigating prehistoric settlements of the region, focusing particularly on the relationships between the river valley settlements and the occupied shelters on the Shawangunk Ridge, and between the Hudson River and the settlements to the southwest across the Shawangunk Ridge.  We have excavated at two shelters, one located at Trapps Gap, along a major route from one side of the ridge to the other, and the second located farther north on the ridge which was probably used as a hunting station.  Using stylistic and geological methods we hope to be able to determine the source of the artifacts found in the shelters and thus the likely routes of trade.

Since 1984, I have worked in the Shumagin Islands to understand the ecological and social patterns among the Islanders and how they changed over the 5-6000 years the Islands have been occupied.  In the Shumagins, there is only one known burial site, which was “excavated” twice in the late 19th Century.  A colleague of mine is initiating a project to reinvestigate the Burial Cave to determine whether it has remains left with sufficient integrity to merit a major excavation.  Since I have both worked in the Shumagins and have excavated an Aleut Burial Cave, she has invited me to join her if she acquires funding for this summer.

Anticipated Summer Activities:

In the Mid-Hudson Valley we will be continuing survey work on the Shawangunk Ridge begun by last year’s Ford Scholar, which supplements and supports the excavations by the Vassar College Field Course.  In addition to completing the survey of the ridge and undertaking test excavations in some of the shelters we have found to determine whether or not they were occupied prehistorically, we will continue analysis of collections from last summer and the last two falls.  The aim of the project is to understand the place of the Shawangunk Ridge in the 10,000 year prehistory of the Mid-Hudson Valley.

In the Shumagin Islands we will be investigating a Burial Cave on Unga Island which was excavated twice in the 19th Century.  Through test excavations, our aim is to discover whether any prehistoric deposits remain in the Cave which could provide us with a fuller understanding of Aleut Burial Patterns and the position of the cave within Aleut Prehistory.  This project, which will last about two weeks, is being organized by a colleague and may or may not take place this summer.

Preferred Student Qualifications/Skills:

Prior anthropological or archaeological or geological course work is desirable but not mandatory.  The student should be comfortable tramping about in the out of doors and getting dusty and muddy.  Knowledge of or interest in learning about GIS is important as is basic statistical competence.

Anticipated  Follow-up Teaching/Professional Activity:

The student will be asked to present the results of our summer work to the introductory archaeology course in the fall.  In addition, we will be writing up our results for presentation at regional archaeological conferences in New York and, possibly, in Alaska.