THE ARCHAEOLOGIST - Vol. 9, September 16, 2011

THE ARCHAEOLOGIST

THE INCORPORATED ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER

OF THE NEW YORK STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

Vol. 9, September 16, 2011

Chapter Web Site -  http://ioccnysaa.blogspot.com/

Chapter email - ioccnysaa@gmail.com

Chapter meetings are held on the third Friday of each month except July and August.

*****   NEW LOCATION FOR MONTHLY MEETING   *****

The September meeting will be held on Friday, the 16^th, at 7:30 P.M at

Mulberry House (Middletown) Senior Center.

Map: http://tinyurl.com/4ygxwyt

The address is 62-70 West Main Street in Middletown. The location is handicapped accessible. If it works for us, we will continue to hold our meetings there and then move to the new location with them. The following maps show its location.

Change In Meeting Schedule

          The presentation will be first followed by the business meeting.

 This Month’s Speaker

Edward V. Curtin

Short Biographical Sketch

            Edward V. Curtin is the President of Curtin Archaeological Consulting, Inc., located in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County, New York.  He is an archaeologist with a Ph.D. in anthropology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.  He is best known for his interest in the Archaic period (1,000-8,000 B.C.) of the Northeastern United States, but he also is intensely interested in all things related to the archaeology of the Hudson valley.  His writing on these subjects includes “The Ancient Mohicans in Time, Space and Prehistory” (New York State Museum Bulletin 501, pp. 5-18), “Recent Investigation of Archaic Sites at Hemstreet Park on the Upper Hudson River” (New York State Archaeological Association Newsletter, Fall 2009, pp. 1-3) and the forthcoming “A Small Site in Coxsackie, Circa A. D. 1200:  Some Ecological Issues Concerning Its Age and Location” (submitted to New York State Museum Record).  He also contributes to Fieldnotes, Curtin Archaeological Consulting’s blog at www.curtinarchaeology.com/blog.

The Missing 2000 Years: 

The Continuing Mystery of the Earliest Archaic in the Hudson Valley

by Ed Curtin

Curtin Archaeological Consulting Inc. and the Van Epps-Hartley Chapter, NYSAA

            The great New York State Archaeologist Bob Funk referred to the period between the end of the Paleoindian era and the bifurcated base point horizon as “the missing 2000 years”-- a period 8,000-10,000 radiocarbon years before present that archaeologists know too little about.  This presentation provides a survey of information and thoughts on this earliest part of the Early Archaic, including Bob Funk’s intriguing original position based upon his 1960’s excavation at Sylvan Lake Rockshelter.  His hypothesis that Early Archaic assemblages would look at least somewhat Laurentian is re-examined in light of more contemporary views concerning Late Paleoindian-Early Archaic horizons typified by unfluted lanceolate points, various kinds of Dalton points, and Kirk-Palmer corner-notched points.  Due consideration is given to a possible early side-notched point horizon.  Slides of Early Archaic artifacts from sites in Saratoga, Albany, and Greene Counties illustrate the talk.

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President’s Message

            I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I want to thank Tom Brannan for hosting the picnic last July. At least 30 members attended including several kids who had a great time throwing darts with the atlatl.

As you can see from the comments above we will be meeting at the Middletown senior center. This will make our meetings more accessible to some of our members If you have any comments, positive or negative, regarding the site please let me know. Call me or email ioccnysaa@gmail.com.

            In July Ray Decker resigned as treasure and Jon Leonard was appointed by the executive committee to take over until Ray’s term ends in the fall of 2012.

            I will not be able to attend the September and October meetings since I will be away. I will be in Peru from September 10th to October 11^thworking with scientists from Dresden University, Germany. Then the following week I fly to Phoenix, Arizona for a week. I have been asked to be the keynote speaker at the Heard Museum conference. I will also be surveying some sites with local archaeologists during this trip. Chuck Tudor will be running the meetings.

            I will be at the annual dinner in November and look forward to seeing everyone at that time.

Dave

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September and October Meetings

We will need someone to help set up the digital projector and computer for the speaker in September and October. If you can help with this please let me know as soon as possible.

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Elections

            This year two trustee positions are up for election. Currently Richard Havlicek and Gary Keeton hold these positions. Richard will not be continuing as trustee. Gary is willing to continue. If anyone is interested in running for either position nominations will be taken at this meeting. The election will be held in October and the results announced at the annual dinner. Please prepare nominations for this meeting.

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          2011 Archaeological Community Outreach Day at Gander Mountain

September 25th, 10 am to 2 pm!

What is needed? Volunteers to bring show and tell, artifacts, historic material, etc. Members to identify points for the public. Membership information, spring meeting info, flintknappers, displays. Kevin will bring books and displays. The biggest thing we need is to get the word out. Exposure makes this event. Also, if all members invite guests that will help. Please let Kevin Storms know directly or email ioccnysaa@gmail.com if you can help and or display your stuff.

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Annual Banquet in November

Annual dinner - Saturday, November 12, 2011.

Held at Catlin Gardens, 2865 Rt. 6, Slate Hill, NY 10973

Cocktail Hour, cash bar, will be from 5 PM to 6:PM

Speaker will be David Starbuck from 6PM to 7:PM before dinner. His topic will be recent excavations at Fort William Henry, site of "The Last of the Mohicans".

Awards will follow the speaker.

Dinner will be sit down at 7:00PM with Entree choices of

Roast Sirloin of Beef, Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato & Artichokes, or Tilapia Oreganata.

Dessert will be chocolate mousse

Any special meals must be requested in advance by calling Catlin Gardens at 845-355-3555.

Price per person is set at $36.00.

            Jon Leonard will be taking reservations and payment. Make you check out to IOCCNYSAA.

IOCCNYSAA ANNUAL DINNER RESERVATION FORM

** Please make your reservation by November 1^st. If you decide to go after the 1^st call Jon Leonard as soon as possible.

Name..........................................................................................................................

Name..........................................................................................................................

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Dinner Choices………………………………………………………………………………

Total Reservations at $36.00 each................................................................................

Total Amount Enclosed.......................................................

Please mail to:

IOCCNYSAA

Jon Leonard

34 Clark Road

Goshen, NY 10924

            or see Jon at the meeting.             

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                                                             Florist Site

            Stephanie is working at the Florist Site nearly every Sunday morning starting at 9 AM, weather permitting. If you intend to go please contact Stephanie directly to make sure they will be working the site that day.

            This site provides all our members a wonderful opportunity to experience archaeology first hand. We hope all of our members can take advantage of this opportunity to develop their skills as archeologists. If you are new to the chapter here is your opportunity to participate in an archaeological investigation and learn the techniques needed to properly document a site.

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            Dues

If you haven’t paid your dues for 2011 please do so. Please contact our new treasurer, Jon, to send in your payment. Or you can pay your dues at the September meeting.

IOCCNYSAA

Jon Leonard

34 Clark Road

Goshen, NY 10924

2011-08-23 Albany expedition.

Tunkamoose Mastodon Tusks' discover, Glenn (left), listens to Doctor Robert Feranec,  Curator of Pleistocene Vertebrate Paleontology and our host for this visit to the New York State Museum (center) discussing details of the restoration along with chapter member, Cindy (right).

The large tusk, by Lisa Catalano

Museum staffer, Lisa Catalano, who is conserving and doing an awesome job piecing together the thousands of tusk bits.

Glenn with Gary, his proud father.

Here is the center portion of the large tusk, fragmented by the weight of the other tusk resting upon this section for over fourteen thousand years, in addition to the weight of six feet of overburden.

Bob Feranec, Cindy, Clif, Lori, by Lisa Catalano

Our band undergoing scrutiny of Museum security before heading upstairs to the stacks.

This entire cabinet, holds just a portion of the faunal remains recovered from the 1960s Dutchess Quarry Caves excavations.

This deer jaw is embedded in stone!

Remember, when on an archaeological expedition, one most always be alert to one's surroundings - even in a museum!

In Rob's office, Glenn examines this specimen collected in 1885 from Billings Co., Dakota Territory.

Comparing an adult sabretooth canine to "babytooth" canine (note the adult tooth budding through the gum line).

Rob concluded our official tour in the pubic exhibits that have just opened featuring many Orange County specimens.  As we took a break for lunch on the fourth floor dining area, the building shook enough for the overhead lights and signs to sway back and forth! 

Luckily, they waited until we finished eating before evacuating the structure for the earthquake of August 23rd! Since they were expecting aftershocks and not likely to quickly reopen the museum, we headed home early, but very pleased with such a wonderful exploration and thoroughly enjoyable experience hosted by such diligent and gracious hosts!

2011-08/21 at the Florist dig

After the storms of this week, the soil was very moist and clumpy, as expected, but in the still moist air the mosquitos were just voracious! 

 Gary doing his part in laying in line "L."

Pat, Steph, Gary, & Pam

Two test pits of tough digging and hundreds of mosquitos bites drove us off the site early to today, with but two chert chips in the sample bags.

2011 Archaeological Community Outreach Day at Gander Mountain set for September 25th.

2011 Archaeological Community Outreach Day at Gander Mountain

September 25th, 10 am to 2 pm!

What is needed? Volunteers to bring show and tell, artifacts, historic material, etc. Members to identify points for the public. Membership information, spring meeting info, flintknappers, displays. I will bring books and displays. The biggest thing we need is to get the word out. Exposure makes this event. Also if all members invite guests that will help. 

Please let Kevin know directly or email ioccnysaa@gmail.com if you can help and or display our stuff.

Job posting for archaeologist in New Jersey

The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office has one job opening for an archaeologist (Historic Preservation Specialist) position. Applications must be submitted by August 19th.

For more information, please visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/jobs/

Posting is thanks to new member, Veronica. 

THE ARCHAEOLOGIST, AUGUST 2011

THE ARCHAEOLOGIST

THE INCORPORATED ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER

OF THE NEW YORK STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

AUGUST 2011

New York State Museum Field Trip

Some of our members missed the trip to the New York State Museum last June and they were wondering if there would be another. I talked with Bob Feranec, Curator of Pleistocene Vertebrate Paleontology, this week and he said he would be glad to accommodate us on Tuesday, August 23. The visit includes the following:

1. Bob told me “the new exhibit is called "From the Collections". It’s based on major collections and contributors of the NY State Museum's collections. My section will have the Arborio mastodon exhibited as well as having a brief description of the IOCCNYSAA, as contributors to the vertebrate paleontology collections.”

2. It also appears a behind the scenes visit is possible.

3. A visit to the research center where the Tunkamoose Mastodon Tusks are being preserved.

Since this is only a few weeks from now I need to know how many people are interested in going on this field trip as soon as possible. Bob is willing to keep this date open if there is enough interest from our chapter.

The details still have to be worked out and I will contact those who are going with the schedule since we will visit two locations, the museum and the research lab.

If you are interested in going please contact me as soon as possible by phone or email. We need to know by Friday, August 12^th. Contact Dave directly or email ioccnysaa@gmail.com

Dave Johnson

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New Meeting Location – Mulbury House (Middletown) Senior Center

            We are going to hold our September monthly meeting at the Mulbury House (Middletown) Senior Center located at 62-70 West Main Street in Middletown. The location is handicapped accessible. If it works for us we will continue to hold our meetings there and then move to the new location with them. Further information will be included in the September newsletter.

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Florist Site

            Stephanie is working on Florist Site most every Sunday morning starting at 9 AM, weather permitting. If you intend to go please contact Stephanie directly or email  ioccnysaa@gmail.com. 

Note: No dig Sunday August 6th due to scheduling conflict!

            This site provides all our members a wonderful opportunity to experience archaeology first hand. We hope all of our members can take advantage of this opportunity to develop their skills as archeologists. If you are new to the chapter here is your opportunity to participate in an archaeological investigation and learn the techniques needed to properly document a site.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Dues

If you haven’t paid your dues for 2011 please do. Please contact our new treasurer, Jon Leonard to send in your payment. Or you can pay your dues at the September meeting. 

New mailing address:

IOCCNYSAA

34 Clark Road

Goshen, NY 10924

What Are We Missing On Archaeological Sites?

Dave Johnson will give this talk at Museum Village at Old Smith's Clove in Monroe Tuesday, August 2nd at 7pm.

Throughout our region a major component is missing from the prehistoric record. Basically all the organic objects have decade. What remains is predominantly stone tools and pottery. This program will discuss what we are missing from the historical record by examining tools from cultures throughout the world where they still use them in the same way local Native American would have. A collection of tools will be on display during the discussion.