By Geophile
An article about native stone sites appeared in our local paper today. Quoted in it are Fred Werkheiser, Chief Bob Red Hawk Ruth, and Tim Powell of the Penn Museum. Apparently with the cooperation of Fred and some Indians, the museum is carrying out research at what sounds like the Oley Hills site. A picture of one of the cairns at Oley Hills appears on the first page of the article, which may be found here. Unfortunately only part of the article is online.
This is exciting, because this is the kind of research that would have to be done in order for entities like the Archaeological Conservancy to be willing to spend money on sites like this. Of course the research could prove inconclusive, but this is a huge step in the right direction!
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This is about rock piles and stone mound sites in New England. A balance is needed between keeping them secret and making them public. Also arrowheads, stone tools and other surface archaeology.
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Thanks for the link, that was a pretty nicely written article. It made Fred appear very level headed and helped promote the idea of taking these sites seriously.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how the Native American interest effect recognition of the site. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a "cabin"? Or is this simply a misspelling of "cairn"?
ReplyDeleteNorman
Having the University of Penn involved in this will hopefully make the archaeological establishment take notice of this important site, which for too many years has been ignored or dismissed as just the whimsical work of a crazy German farmer. I should know, as I've spent many years researching and lecturing about the site to various groups in the Northeast.
ReplyDeleteNorman
I would guess cabin is indeed a mistake. The person who took the photograph was not the author of the article. Some people pronounce cairn as KA-rin, which is very close in pronunciation to cabin. I'll bet the mistake was made over a cell phone.
ReplyDeleteThe print version says cairn. It includes two other pictures, including one of Fred at the site. I wish they'd put the whole article online instead of only half, but it is well written and gives a balanced look at many angles of the topic.
ReplyDeleteHaving Penn get involved could be crucial. Academia has long turned a blind eye to Eastern Native stoneworks. The secret is getting credible academic researchers such as Penn, to gain the trust of the Native groups who have always known of the stone sites. Somebody, who will not roll out a backhoe to dig up a site looking for beads and bones. Another crucial need is for the PHMC to wake up to what they have ignored in their own backyard for so long. Pennsylvania protection laws are among the weakest in the Nation. Frank M Longswamp Pa
ReplyDelete