Jack Rossen, 3/12/2009 · 0 comments
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SCHOOL
IN THE CAYUGA HOMELAND
(Eastern Lakeshore)
Jack Rossen, Ithaca College (jrossen@ithaca.edu)
May 27-July 2, 2009 (5 ½ weeks)
The 2009 field school will be run through TC3 (Tompkins Cortland County Community College). We will enter our third field season at the 10th century Native American village, the Levanna site. The site has been alternately considered to be Algonkian, Owasco, and Cayuga in cultural affiliation. So far, excavations have confirmed that this site is indeed Haudenosaunee (Cayuga) in cultural affiliation. This is important in opening an entire class of “Owasco” sites to potential repatriation. There are two major research issues (along with several other questions) to be addressed: 1. Is there evidence for the A.D. 900s origins of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and 2. How does this site illuminate the long-term presence and development of the Cayuga people in their homeland?
The Levanna site was discovered in 1924 and partially excavated in 1934 by Harrison Follette, Carter Woods (then at Wells College), and William Ritchie (who went on become the NY State Archaeologist for many years). The archaeologists came into conflict with local landowners, resulting in a dispute over artifacts and later in court, over the authenticity of the site. The locale was a tourist attraction from 1934 to 1940, including a “Temple of Effigies” with large stone representations of animal clan symbols. Cayuga and Onondaga Indians danced at the site on weekends. Despite this colorful history and controversy, no professional archaeologist returned to the site until we conducted limited test excavations there in June, 2007. We found much of the site to be intact and unplowed. There is also a vast local archive of photos and documents about the 1930s excavations and tourist period.
There are thus many stories at this site. One is the purely archaeological story of understanding the time and meaning of the village and its place in the long prehistory of New York. The second story involves the actions of 1930s archaeologists and their relationships with local people and Native tribes. When an archaeologist embarks on a project, the primary consideration is to find a great story, and there are several here. Another major consideration is to conduct the excavation with care and love for a place of the Cayuga ancestors. We will excavate the trash heaps and house areas, which are well-defined at the site. We will not disturb human remains.
Students will learn archaeological field techniques, including excavation, special sample extraction, mapping, and documentation. Since 2000, my archaeological field schools (conducted through Ithaca College and Wells College) have promoted a new vision in archaeology that has come to be known as “indigenous archaeology.” This is a collaborative archaeology that includes Native people and seeks to make archaeology a positive force for them, instead of the negative force it has too often been. Besides learning the fundamental methods of field archaeology, students will also learn about the political context of the research, including the Cayuga people, their land claim, problems, and progress. A series of speakers including Native leaders, Clan Mothers, and artisans will visit the site to discuss their perspectives on life, history, and archaeology. We will also visit various sites, museums, and landmarks of historic interest in the area. The goal is to have a multifaceted experience that places the excavations into their proper cultural context. Archaeology is then an active shaper of social values and not just the study of old items. This is a unique vision for an archaeological field school.
Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm
There will also be breaks, visits to archaeological sites, museums, the SHARE Farm, and a few evening guest speakers
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