Protecting ancient Northhampton

From James Cachat and the Massachusetts Ethical Archaeological Society:

DOT is meeting tonight with the City of Northampton because they plan to move forward with their project on the unique ancient site in Nayyag.  This site was recommended for the National Register of Historic Places by DOT's own archaeologist.

Despite disinformation by Ms. Misch of Northampton gov't., the facts of this case are named in the attached report, along with the actual statements made in February 2021 by DOT officers and questions from the public.

Tonight at 6:30, DOT is having a meeting in Northampton that can be joined by remote.  The news report says 6 pm, but the state site says 6:30.

To join, go to: mass.gov/event and look for this meeting.  Follow instructions there.

Mark Anderson, Tribal Cultural Resources Officer for Aquinnah Wopanaak (Wompanoag) has stated on record that this site should be perserved and that it appears to be a village site.

Narragansett Tribe also stated in newsmedia their concerns for preservation at this site early in the process.

DOT is not reporting either tribe's statements in public messages.

DOT admitted in the Feb., 2021 meting (as detailed in link below) that:

1.  Traffic circles increase the number of accidents at a given intersection.

2.  The place concerned here had a below-average rate of accidents in the 5 years studied previously.

3.  There are 0 fatalities on record for this intersection.

4.  There are several known archaeological sites less than a mile from this site.

5.  The site was recommended for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places by DOT's own archaeologist.

6.  Only a couple of years earlier, DOT demolished another ancient site, 8,500 years old, less than a mile down the road from this site.

7.   A traffic light can be installed at this intersection.

8.  The most accident-prone intersection in the entire state - and the world - is a traffic circle in Longmeadow.