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The Society for
Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc. Fall 2006 ________________________________________________________________________ Archaeology Month in Pennsylvania The annual celebration of archaeology in Pennsylvania will fill the month of October with events to promote our archaeological and historic resources. There will be many opportunities to enjoy and share our heritage with our colleagues and to encourage the public to join us. Event Announcement—This event is co-sponsored by the SPA to celebrate Archaeology Month in Pennsylvania On October 14, 2006, a day-long program entitled "Exploring Pennsylvania's Native American Heritage" will be held at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA from 9:00am until 6:30pm. The program will investigate the Commonwealth's Native American heritage through the eyes of Native American speakers, archaeologists, historians, and educators. Planned presentations and discussion topics include: Native American Origins, ExplorePAhistory.com, Caring for Native American Collections, Cultures in Contact, The Carlisle Indian School, and Teaching Native American History. Daniel Richter, historian and author of Native American's Pennsylvania (2005), will present a keynote address. Throughout the day chapters of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc. will exhibit artifact collections and various films will be shown featuring Native American culture and archaeology. Other activities include a demonstration of Native American tool manufacture, a hands-on program for children, a tour of The State Museum's Anthropology and Archaeology Gallery, and tour of the museum's archaeology lab and storage facility. The day will close with a reception and book-signing by numerous program presenters. A fee of $25 will be charged for the event. Students are eligible for a $15 program fee. Seating is limited and pre-registration is strongly encouraged. For more information, call Steve Warfel, Senior Curator, Archaeology, The State Museum of Pennsylvania at 717-783-2887 or e-mail at swarfel@state.pa.us. PENNSYLVANIA ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS October 2006 SAVE THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE
Archaeology Month is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc., and the Pennsylvania Archaeological Council. Its purpose is to increase awareness of the important historic and prehistoric archaeological sites in the Commonwealth. These sites are part of the heritage of all Pennsylvanians. Everyday, archaeological sites are destroyed. We hope that through the Archaeology Month events, more Pennsylvanians become aware of this part of our history and work to protect our endangered resources. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public. Note: the following event listings are organized by region. Northeast Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Forks of the Delaware Chapter 14 Event: How To Register Archaeological Sites Date & Time: Thursday, 5 October, 8 PM Location: Palmer Township Library, Northampton County. Directions can be found at Chapter 14's web page at the Siftings web site - www.siftings.com. Contact: James Wosochlo, Phone: 610-442-5622, Email: jimwosochlo@yahoo.com Description: This will be a working session to demonstrate how to prepare archaeological site registration forms for sites in Pennsylvania, including working with topographic maps, county soil surveys, determination of UTM coordinates, and other information needed to complete the form. Participants are encouraged to bring information about sites they have discovered. Southeast Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - John Shrader Chapter 21 Event: Hay Creek Valley Historical Association’s (HCVHA) Apple Festival Date & Time: Saturday, 14 October, 7 AM-4 PM Location: Joanna Furnace, Route 10 near Morgantown, Berks County Contacts: Cathy Spohn, President, Chapter 21, Phone 610-678-1274 (home) or 610-205-6711; Email cspohn@state.pa.us, Charles Jacob – Phone 610-469-9530 Description: John Shrader Chapter 21 will have an information stand at HCVHA’s annual Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace. Chapter members have been actively engaged in the archaeological investigations and restoration of Joanna Furnace over many years. SPA members will provide information on archaeology, the role of the SPA, and the various projects Chapter 21 members have been involved with in addition to our work at Joanna. We will have an exhibit of the archaeological research and field schools held at Joanna Furnace. The current excavations at the hot blast engine area and wheelwright shop will be open for visitors to see. Admission is free and parking is on site. SPA Chapter 21 will also have an information stand at HCVHA’s annual Fall Festival that runs from Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 12, 2005, also at Joanna Furnace. Admission is $5 per person over age 12 on Friday and $7 per person on Saturday and Sunday. Passes for $10 for two are available through the contacts listed above. Besides the archaeological exhibits, there will be an archaeology for kids program, living history presentations, antique cars and agricultural machinery, a Civil War encampment, music and other attractions. The funds raised go to sponsor archaeology and restoration at Joanna Furnace. Besides a new exhibit in the Charcoal Barn, our dig site at the Wheelwright Shop will be in operation. Archaeology Month posters and special event information will be mailed to members of SPA. Central Bureau for Historic Preservation / Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Event: Fort Hunter Excavation. Date & Time: Monday, 11 September Sunday 1 October Open to the public during weekdays from 9:30 to 3:30. Location: Fort Hunter, 5 miles north of Harrisburg Description: The Bureau for Historic Preservation will be involved in an archaeological investigation of Fort Hunter, the site of a French and Indian War supply fort. A remote sensing investigation has been conducted and our project will include test excavations in hopes of locating remains of the fort. On 9/17, the park will sponsor Fort Hunter Days which will attract 5000 visitors and on 10/1, the park will sponsor Pennsylvania Indians Festival Day which will attract 1500 visitors. For both of these annual events, there will be a wide variety of other exhibits available to the public. State Museum of Pennsylvania Event: " Exploring Pennsylvania's Native American Heritage " Date & Time: 14 October, 9 AM - 5 PM; Reception 5 - 6:30 PM Location: The State Museum of Pennsylvania Fee: $25 , student $15 program fee Contact: For more information, call Steve Warfel, Senior Curator, Archaeology, The State Museum of Pennsylvania at 717-783-2887 or e-mail at swarfel@state.pa.us Description: This day-long program will explore Pennsylvania's Native American heritage through the eyes of Native American speakers, archaeologists, and historians. Informative discussion sessions will examine Native American Origins, ExplorePAhistory.com, Caring for Native American Collections, Cultures in Contact, The Carlisle Indian School, and Teaching Native American History. Daniel Richter, historian and author of Native American's Pennsylvania, will present a keynote address. Throughout the day members of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc. will exhibit private artifact collections and various films will be shown featuring Native American culture and archaeology. Other activities include a demonstration of Native American tool manufacture and tours of The State Museum's Anthropology and Archaeology Gallery and the museum's archaeology lab and storage facility. A reception and book-signing by numerous program presenters will close the day. Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – Bald Eagle Archaeological Society, SPA Chapter 24 Event: Spring Creek Day, hosted by the ClearWater Conservancy. Date & Time: Sunday September 17, Noon - 5:00 PM Location: Milbrook Marsh Nature Center, 614 Puddintown Road, State College, PA. Contact: For more information on the archaeological activities contact Mary Alice Graetzer 814-238-5239 or Meli Diamanti diamanti@ahcinc.biz . Description: The Bald Eagle Archaeological Society will host a table with information on artifact identification and chapter activities. We will also hold a popular demonstration of artifact excavation, processing, and analysis. Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Conejohela Chapter, SPA Chapter 28 (Lancaster & York County) Event: Safe Harbor Petroglyph Day Date & Time: Saturday, October 8, 10 AM - 4 PM (Rain Date: October 9) Location: Safe Harbor Dam, Powerhouse Road, Conestoga (Lancaster County), PA Contact: For more information contact Paul Nevin, 717 252-4177 or Chapter28SPA@aol.com Description: This one day celebration of the rich rock art tradition on the lower Susquehanna River features large format photos, an 8 x 20 foot rendering of the Little Indian Rock Petroglyphs, lectures, demonstrations, and local Indian artifacts. Visitors can also bring their own artifacts to be identified. Northwest Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - North Fork Chapter, SPA Chapter 29 Event: Annual Archaeology Show Date & Time: Saturday, September 30th from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM Location: Clarion Holiday Inn (Exit 62 - Interstate 80) Fee: The event is open to the public with admission set at $3.00 for all attendees age 12 and older. Description: Exhibitors from Pennsylvania and New York will display some of the finest privately held large groupings of prehistoric and historic Native American relics from this region. Exhibits include flint tools and points, ground stone items, pipes, beadwork and pottery. In addition to exhibiting, these individuals will be available throughout the day to answer questions about their hobby and provide free identification of artifacts brought in by the public. Other daylong activities will include a series of short educational slide and lecture programs on various topics of local fieldwork excavations and artifacts presented by regional archaeologists, demonstrations by craftsman skilled in working with flint to make stone tools and points. A sanctioned atlatl (spearthrower) competition will be held outdoors along with demonstrations and hands on practice for beginners wishing to learn the use of spears thrown with this handheld device used for thousands of years prior to the invention of the bow and arrow. The Pennsylvania game commission is currently considering a policy which would permit the use of this weapon as a legal hunting device. Books and other educational items about local Native American culture will be available for sale by the sponsoring organizations and some of the event participants. An afternoon drawing for door prizes will also be held. Department of History and Anthropology, Edinboro University of PA Event: Open House, Fort LeBoeuf Museum Location: Waterford, PA Date & Time: Every Saturday and Sunday in October, Noon to 4 PM Contact: Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, (814) 7322570 or wolynec@edinboro.edu Description: Archaeological displays at the museum include remains from the beaver trade, WPA excavations in the late 1930s, and Eagle Hotel excavations conducted by Edinboro University Archaeological Field Studies from 1975 through 1987. Of special local interest is a replica of the only known original of Celeron's lead plate and a highly detailed model of an Iroquois village. There is no admission charge. Event: Open House, Archaeological Excavations - The Search for the Original Footprint of Academy Hall Location: Edinboro University of PA, in front of Cole Auditorium Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Thursday, October 3 - 19, 10:00 AM to Noon Contact: Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, (814) 732-2570 or wolynec@edinboro.edu Description: As part of the sesquicentennial celebration of the founding of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, students enrolled in the Archaeological Field Studies Program will be searching for evidence of the first location of Academy Hall, the earliest building on campus. Members of the general public are welcome to observe students as they conduct archaeological excavations. Groups are requested to make reservations in advance. There is no admission charge. Event: Lecture - "The Archaeological Past in Jeopardy" Location: Hendricks Hall 126, Main Campus, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA Date & Time: Wednesday, October 4, 6 PM to 7:15 PM Contact: Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, 8147322570 or wolynec@edinboro.edu Description: The discussion and activities will center on videos which show the destruction of archaeological sites. There is no admission charge. There are numerous web sites where you can find further information about archaeology in Pennsylvania. Among these are: Pennsylvania Archaeological Council http://www.pennarchcouncil.org/ ; Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology http://www.pennsylvaniaarchaeology.com/ Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission / Bureau for Historic Preservation http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bhp/ Fishbasket Villages The Autumn 2006 issue of Westsylvania magazine features Ken Burkett and the Fishbasket Site. The story and photographs are outstanding. Ken didn’t forget to mention the Society and provide information to contact the SPA. Thank you, Ken SPA at the Pennsylvania Farm Show The SPA will again partner with PennDot, the Pennsylvania Archaeological Council and the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission in an educational display at the Farm Show in Harrisburg in January 2007. Volunteers are needed to man the booth, and hand out membership and background information on the Society and archaeology in Pennsylvania. We hope to get a good response from new contacts as well as a boost to our membership and a heightened awareness of the importance of conservation and preservation of archaeological site in Pennsylvania. Amanda Valko-Fritz will be the contact for information and volunteer opportunities. News from the 2006 Annual Meeting The Society would like to thank Allegheny Chapter #1 for hosting the 2006 Annual Meeting in Washington, PA on May 5-6. Elmer Erb Permanent Fund Trustees Dr. Roger Moeller was appointed to fill the un-expired term of Tom Kirshner until 2008. Albert Moore and James Herbstritt were elected to new six-year terms to serve until 2012. This brings the trustee’s reorganization to completion and enables the trustees to perform the necessary financial functions to insure a viable investment plan. The treasurer has requested an audit. Awards Committee Dr. Catherine Spohn reported that only nominations for the Archey and J. Alden Mason awards were received. All members and chapters are encouraged to make nominations. The award nomination forms are available on the SPA website. 2006 Awards Archey Awards were presented to Richard L. Ziegler, French Creek Chapter 26 and Ronald Powell, Cumberland Valley Chapter 27. The J. Alden Mason Award was presented to Amanda Valko-Fritz. Pennsylvania Site Survey 2005 Total number of recorded sites were down considerably in the state for 2005. There were 246 new sites bringing the total of recorded sites to 20,465. Site recording is an important tool in protection of sites. No nominations were received for the Frances Dorrance Award. This award is presented to the SPA Chapter recording the most sites annually. Noel Strattan has offered to track the sites reported by chapter of the SPA if recorders will be diligent in providing this information on the site recording form. She will forward the results to the awards committee. Jacob L. Grimm IV C-14 Award was presented to Cumberland Valley Chapter 27. Chairman Jim Herbsritt issues the following report: Results of this year's SPA Jacob Grimm C14 Award submission from Beta Analytic has been returned . One wood charcoal sample from the multi-component (10,000 BC to AD1730) Ebbert Spring site (36FR367) assayed out at 1010 +/- 60 radiocarbon years. The date converts to 1020 +/- 60 years before present based on the conventional age selected as AD 1950 by the science of radiocarbon. The date, obtained from a small sample of wood charcoal from a refuse pit, contained a partially intact Albemarle-like ceramic vessel, Clemson Island -like potsherds, a Lagoon-like biface fragment and a Levanna-like point. Members will recall the most recent issue of the Pennsylvania Archaeologist, Volume 76, No. 1, which featured the report on the Ebbert Spring site. SPA congratulates the Chapter for it's archaeological contribution and for receiving the Jacob Grimm award. Publications Bill Tippins,editor, reported that we are essentially back on schedule for publication of the Pennsylvania Archaeologist. He has manuscripts for the Fall 2006 issue but the need for manuscripts continue. He thanked his editorial staff, Verna Cowin, Paul Raber and Bill Johnson for helping to get the journal back on schedule. The SPA Newsletter funding has been provided for from the grant monies in the last few years. It was decided that email newsletters should be offered to anyone who wishes to receive their newsletter in that format. The newsletters are always available on the Society’s website and can be emailed to chapters upon request to be passed on in chapter newsletters. Contact the Secretary with requests for email distribution. Chapter Reports All active chapters have submitted annual reports of their 2005 activities to the Secretary. Chapters reported a variety of educational and public involvement programs. The most pressing concern was maintaining membership and recruiting new members. The Society has several printed informational items that can be used to promote the SPA and its chapters. Visibility at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and other local events has helped with membership but we are still losing members. Chapter’s must emphasize the need to belong to the state society. Chapter officers are required constitutionally to be members in good standing with the Society. Archaeological Legacy Insitute is an Oregon based educational group promoting the Archaeology Channel. They are asking the SPA for sponsorship and monetary support. We ask the board and members to investigate the activities and mission of this groups and send comments to the next board of directors meeting. View the Insititute at: www.archaeologychannel.org PLEASE LOOK AT YOUR MAILING LABEL! If there is a red dot, you did not receive the Spring 2006 Journal and this will be your last Newsletter. 2006 subscriptions will be accepted until October 1, 2006. All membership applications received after October 1 will be credited to 2007 and the two 2006 journals will only be available as back issues. Please direct any questions to the Treasurer. Will You Receive the Pennsylvania Archaeologist for 2006? Not if you haven’t renewed for 2006. Check the label on this Newsletter and notify the Treasurer if there are any questions. Please consider renewing as a Sustaining Member. 2006 Membership Fees Active………………..$20.00 Institutional… ……….$30.00 Family………………..$25.00 Student……………….$18.00 Sustaining…………….$30.00 Life………………….$400.00 Benefactor…………..$500.00 Name______________________________ Address____________________________ City_____________________ State______ Zip________________________________ E-Mail _____________________________ SPA Chapter No.___Name_____________ If you would like a membership card, please include a self-addresses stamped envelope. Send to: Treasurer, SPA P.O. Box 10287, Pittsburgh, PA 15232-0287 In Memorium: William J. Mayer-Oakes, a mainstay of the Upper Ohio Valley Archaeology Survey from 1950-1956, passed away Feb 4, 2005 in Lubbock Texas where he was a retired professor at Texas Tech University. Mayer and Don Dragoo, as UOVAS Field Archaeologists working in the Section of Man, surveyed and excavated in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southern New York to establish the chronology and culture history of this region. Bill authored Prehistory of the Upper Ohio valley: An Introductory Archaeological Study, published in the Annals of Carnegie Museum in 1955, as well as numerous articles about the results of this research. In 1956, Bill left Carnegie Museum and moved into the university setting, serving on faculties at Toronto, Manitoba, Oklahoma, and ultimately Texas Tech University. Bill attended SAA meetings in Pittsburgh in 1983 and 1992. On his 1992 visit he was honored by the Section of Man with a reception attended by a number of the avocational archaeologists who worked with him in the 1950’s as well as his professional colleagues. He was presented with the Section’s C.V. Hartman Award in recognition of his great contributions to the archaeology of the Upper Ohio Valley. Bill died the same year as Jim Swauger. They were the final two of the original Carnegie Museum staff member involved with the Upper Ohio Valley Archaeological Survey, Don Dragoo having predeceased them. John A. Zakucia John was a life member of the Society and former field associate for the Carnegie Museum, the field director for Youngstown State University with the Hopewell Furnace Project. He founded the Beaver County (Amockwi) Chapter of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, co-founded the King/Beaver chapter of the Archaeological Society of Ohio, was a member of the Mahoning Valley Archaeological Society and was responsible for most of the archaeological findings in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. He received the Society’s Archey award in 1959. Thomas Kirshner Thomas S. Kirshner, who died April 2, 2006, was a graduate of Penn State University ( classmate of Robert LaBar) with a degree in engineering. He also was a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, where he received a master's degree in education. He was a former high school teacher at the Elizabeth Forward High School, having taught electronics and electricity. Tom was a longtime member and past president of the Westmoreland Archaeological Society; and the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. Tom was recipient of its Archey Award and serve on the Elmer Erb Permanaent Fund Committee as trustee and chairman. The Kirshner site located on the property surrounding his home was the site of excavations for a number of years. Tom and Natale shared the site for educational purposes with many profesessional, avocational, boy scout and interested groups over the years. His family is in the process of preserving the site and artifacts. Robert T. Frederick Bob died Aug. 23, 2006 .He was retired from U.S. Steel Corp., and served in the U.S. Air Force in World War II. He was a member of the Somerset Archaeological Society and the Westmoreland Archaeological Society as well as an SPA member. Bob was a longtime member and supporter of these organizations. He offered his home as workspace for cleaning the artifacts from the Consol Site. He was known for his skill at metal work and produced silver point casts for special awards given by the Society. The 2007 Annual Meeting The 2007 SPA Annual Meeting will be held on April 20-22 in Allentown at the Four Points Sheraton Lehigh Valley. The meeting will be hosted by Forks of the Delaware Chapter 14. Mark your calendar and plan to attend now! More details will be available in the next issue of the newsletter. Our newest chapter, North Fork Chapter #29, is planning to host the meeting in 2008. We thank both of these chapters for volunteering to host this important SPA function. Chapters that haven't hosted a meeting recently should consider doing so in the future. Please contact me if you have questions. Mary Alice Graetzer, SPA Annual meeting Chair Note: The board of directors passed a motion to change the meeting dates to the first or second week in April to lessen conflicts with other activities. Contribution Opportunities If you are looking for meaningful ways to honor a friend or commemorate an occasion, consider a donation to one of the Society’s dedicated funds. · The James G. Luhman Fund will support Archaeology Month activities and educational initiatives. · The Elmer Erb Permanent Fund maintains Life Memberships and supplements Society projects. The Society is grateful to the John Shrader Chapter 21 for its contribution to the Elmer Erb Permanent Fund in honor of John Shrader. 2006 ESAF Annual Meeting ESAF Annual Meeting Eastern States Archaeological Federation73rd Annual Meeting Co-hosted by: Massachusetts Archaeological Society and New England Antiquities Research Association NOVEMBER 8-12, 2006 Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel (888) 976-9254 or www.rplaza.com Fitchburg, Massachusetts Identify yourself as attending the conference for the discounted rate of $79 per room (same price for singles, doubles, or triples) Banquet Speaker: Brian Robinson (Peabody-Essex Museum) Title: Researching the Bull Brook Paleo-Indian Site Tours: Robbins Museum of Archaeology, Crowd Site (lead mine), and Rockhouse Shelter Reduced Rates: Sturbridge Village, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Higgins Armory, and Worcester Art Museum Program Chair: Curtiss Hoffman Wk: 508-531-2249 Email: curtiss.hoffman@bridgew.edu Department of Anthropology Bridgewater State College Bridgewater MA 02325 Arrangements Chair: Alan F. Smith Wk. 978-486-0688 Email: asmith@johnmilnerassociates.com John Milner Associates 410 Great Rd Littleton MA 01460 Help SPA—Join or Renew Your ESAF Membership Through SPA Use this form below (or a copy) and make checks payable to: Treasurer, SPA. Send to P.O. Box 10287, Pittsburgh, PA 15232-0287 US Individual 1 yr. 2006……...$30.00 US Individual 3 yr 05-07……...$75.00 US Individual 3 yr 06-08……...$75.00 US Institution 1 yr 2006………$40.00 For other membership categories, see www.esaf-archeology.org Members receive Archaeology of Eastern North America; Bulletin of the Eastern States Archaeological Federation; calls for papers for the November Annual Meeting; preliminary program for the annual meeting; and special mailings. ESAF membership through SPA Name___________________________ Address_________________________ City__________________State______ Zip Code________________________ E-Mail__________________________ Total Amount Enclosed____________ Society for American Archaeology 72nd Annual Meeting April 25-29, 2007 Austin, Texas www.saa.org
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