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Clarion University Archaeological Dig open house |
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Written by Publisher
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Thursday, 02 July 2009 |
Photo by Natasha Mattis
Melaine Lowrie, a high school student, Athena Pack, Christy Weaver, John Valimont and Sam Sears are immersed in the pit searching for artifacts.
By Natasha Mattis
Special to The Kane Republican
MARIENVILLE – Dr. Sue Prezzano of Clarion University and her students held an open house at their archeological dig site along the Clarion River in the Allegheny National Forest.
The site was previously a Mill town with a couple hundred people, which existed from the 1850s to 1910. The specific area that is being dug up is the location of an old blacksmith shop and a barn. Plenty of metal debris and burnt planks were discovered in the dig area that were covered by years of erosion due to flood waters.
Last year slivers of pottery dating back to 800 AD were found at the dig site. An Indian trading bead from the early 1700s was discovered; projectiles points, a digging implement, and undated knife blade and a knife edge have also been found. These finds and the numbers of them, indicate a long human occupation in the river valley.
“The more we can involve people, the more respect they have, the more they do service work the greater the appreciation. We can develop a nurturing, caring attitude and reconnect people to their own heritage through education,” said a Marienville district ranger Rob Fallon of the Allegheny National Forest.
The class held by Dr. Prezzano consists of 15 undergraduate students and 10 high school students from across Pennsylvania. A Title 3 Secure Rural Schools grant, provided by Elk County and Elk County Conservation District, a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant helped to support the project.
Dr, Prezzano became interested in archeology when her sister threw her archeological college textbook at her, and she just knew that’s what she wanted to do. She has been doing fieldwork since 1973, and teaching since 1995. She’s been on digs in Italy, Antigua, West Caribbean, East Mississippi and all over California. Native American archeology is her specialty.
The undergraduate students are second-year students, and the group consists of two group leaders.
“We need to expand our minds and see what else is out there,” said Stephanie Spock, a student taking part in the class.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 July 2009 )
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