ARCHEOLOGY

What kinds of archeological sites do we have in Vermont?

Why are Vermont's archeological sites important?

What does "prehistoric" mean?

There seems to be more concern with archeological resources than ever before. Why?

What I should do when I uncover artifacts or find an archeological site?

Who owns archeological sites and artifacts on private land?

Whom should I contact to talk about preserving archeological sites on my land or in my town?

Where can I learn more about archeology in Vermont?

As a teacher, where can I go on the Internet to learn more about archeology curriculum for my K-12 students?

Can I collect artifacts or dig sites on public land?

Do burial sites have special protections?

Where can I find more information about state or federal laws that protect archeological sites?

Where can I learn more about Vermont's Native American history, culture, and traditions?

What kinds of archeological sites do we have in Vermont?
Vermont has a remarkably rich and diverse archeological heritage that spans 12,000 years of human history. The sites range from 12,000 year old Native American campsites used by the earliest Vermonters - called the Paleo-Indians, to revolutionary war shipwrecks, from 12th century Native American farming sites (the earliest known in northern New England), to abandoned 19th century mining communities. More typical are the hundreds of long deserted 19th century farmsteads with their tell tale cellar holes and stone walls, and the small, largely invisible, Native American seasonal campsites that span both the very long period of prehistory and the shorter period of recorded history.

Consider that thousands of Native Americans lived in what is now Vermont for 12,000 years; that each of those years spanned the four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall -- much as we know them today; that a full range of living activities occurred during each season; and that many of these activities left behind a tangible record in the soil. From this perspective we can begin to get a glimpse of the number and variety of Native American sites that may exist in Vermont. Vermont has a very rich store of archeological sites from the last 300 years, representing long forgotten stories of exploration and war, relations with the native occupants, early settlement, industry and commerce, tourism, many aspects of transportation history, and the unwritten stories of minority communities (about Native Americans in particular, but also black Americans).

Why are Vermont's archeological sites important?
Vermont's prehistoric and historic archeological sites are a crucial link with much of our past. For most of Vermont's long 12,000 year old history, people did not write. In the period of written history, most people didn't write and were not written about. Archeological sites are often the only source of information for the longest part of human history in Vermont. Vermont's archeological sites can also inform us about past environments, landscape changes, climatic changes, and the ways in which native people and their cultures successfully adapted to such changes.

What does "prehistoric" mean?
"Prehistoric" refers to the very long span of human history before ("pre") written records were kept. Some Native Americans and archeologists prefer the term "precontact" to describe the 1000's of years of Native American history prior to contact with Europeans. However, the terms "prehistoric" and "precontact" are interchangeable and using one or the other is a personal preference. Sites that pertain to the "historic period" refer to those that date after 1609, often described in Vermont as the beginning of recorded history when Samuel de Champlain explored and wrote about the lake he named after himself.

There seems to be more concern with archeological resources than ever before. Why?
In the last 25 years we have learned that occupation of Vermont by native people throughout the prehistoric period was much more intensive and widespread than previously thought. We have also begun to appreciate the extent and diversity of sites from the historic period, which in Vermont began in 1609, when written records began to be made. As more and more of Vermont's archeological resources are destroyed, we are increasingly concerned with discovering and preserving our remaining archeological heritage and improving our knowledge of these threatened resources. For these and other reasons, federal and state laws require consideration of important archeological sites when development projects are planned.

What I should do when I uncover artifacts or find an archeological site?
Your discovery may be important and one way to find out is to ask the State Archeologist in Montpelier or other archeologist about your find. Documenting your discovery is desirable, including making a map of the find spot, taking photos, and recording the "what, where, when, who, and how" of the discovery. This information can be forwarded to the State Archeologist (or provided to another archeologist) to help determine the type of site and its potential importance.

Who owns archeological sites and artifacts on private land?
Archeological sites and their artifacts on private land belong to the landowner. The landowner has a right to do anything he or she wants with the site. Landowners can collect artifacts from their own sites, can give permission for other people to collect artifacts, or can prohibit artifact collection and other site disturbances on their land. However, under state law, even a landowner cannot disturb or destroy a burial site of any kind.

Whom should I contact to talk about preserving archeological sites on my land or in my town?
Fee simple purchase of land as well as acquisition of development rights through conservation easements are important ways to preserve archeological sites or archeologically sensitive lands. Often, efforts to conserve one resource, such as farmland or forest, can be integrated with preservation of archeological sites. A community's purchase of land for conservation or for recreation can sometimes be combined with protection of archeological sites. Organizations such as the Vermont Land Trust and the many community-based land trusts can assist in preserving important archeological sites through conservation easements. The Archaeological Conservancy is a national organization that purchases important sites to ensure their protection. In Vermont, they recently purchased an important Native American site in Ferrisburgh, near Lake Champlain.

Fundamentally, landowners are the best stewards of the archeological sites on their land. They can control what happens to the sites. For example, a landowner can design a development to avoid impacting a site; can prohibit artifact collecting; and can deter looting or vandalism by keeping an eye on the site.

Where can I learn more about archeology in Vermont?
The Division for Historic Preservation has some free publications on archeology that can be picked up at our offices or mailed to you. However, the best source of information about Vermont archeology is the Internet. The Vermont Archaeological Society, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and many archeology consulting firms working in Vermont have excellent web sites that inform you about recent discoveries, places to visit, dig opportunities, special events, and much more. See the Links section of the Division's Home page. Some national organizations have a great deal of information about archeology on the Internet. For example, Arizona State hosts ARCHNET . The National Park Service's web site has many links to national archeological web sites with information on Early Man in North America, Native Americans, laws, archeology in other states, and archeology education activities. The Society for American Archeology's site includes information on K - 12 archeology education, employment opportunities, new national discoveries, laws, and much more. The Archaeological Conservancy publishes an interesting, readable quarterly magazine available on the Internet.

As a teacher, where can I go on the Internet to learn more about archeology curriculum for my K-12 students?
The Vermont Historical Society and the Division for Historic Preservation have collaborated in developing an excellent archeology kit for Vermont schools. Contact the Vermont Historical Society directly to get more information at (802) 479-8500. The Society for American Archeology publishes on-line an excellent "Archeology and Public Education Newsletter". This is a good place to start looking at available archeology curricula. The SAA also offers an on-line "teaching sampler" with lesson plans on the science of archeology, scientific methods, and stewardship of sites. The American Anthropological Association web site offers numerous classroom resources on archeology and links. Also check out the Archaeology Channel showing short, on-line videos on archeological projects and discoveries. Closer to home, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum offers excellent education programs on Lake Champlain's underwater archeology. Vermont Gas Systems, Inc., recently developed a standards based archeology Educator's Guide for grades 5 - 8. It's available as a PDF on-line.

Can I collect artifacts or dig sites on public land?
It's against state law to dig or otherwise disturb any archeological site on state lands of any kind. Examples of state lands in Vermont include state parks, state historic sites, state wildlife management areas, state forests, and under state waters. Permits are required for professional archeological investigations on state lands and under state waters. See Title 22 of Vermont Statutes Annotated, sections 762, 764, and 782 at Vermont Legislative Council.

It's against federal law to dig or otherwise disturb any archeological site on federal lands. Examples of federal lands in Vermont are the Green Mountain National Forest and the Missisquoi U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

Do burial sites have special protections?
It's against state law to disturb a burial site of any kind, even if it's on private land. Vermont state laws that protect burial sites can be found at Title 13 of Vermont Statutes Annotated, Sections 3761 and 3764; and Title 18 of Vermont Statutes Annotated, Section 5212 at Vermont Legislative Council.

Where can I find more information about state or federal laws that protect archeological sites?
For a comprehensive listing of state historic preservation and archeology legislation visit the National Conference of State Legislature. The National Park Service web site allows comprehensive access to every relevant federal archeological and historic preservation law.

Where can I learn more about Vermont's Native American history, culture, and traditions?

The Abenaki Nation Organization is an excellent source of information about the Vermont Abenakis. This site has many links to help you find additional information.

The Chimney Point State Historic Site in Addison has informative exhibits about Abenaki history, cultural traditions, and art. This is an excellent place to begin to learn about the Vermont Abenaki. Tours and educational programs are available for school groups.

The Abenaki Tribal Museum in Swanton has a large, striking display of Abenaki cultural materials, crafts, and art work from all time periods.

Several useful books about Vermont's historic and contemporary native people include: Frederick M. Wiseman's The Voice of the Dawn, An Autohistory of the Abenaki (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 2001); Colin G. Calloway's The Western Abenakis of Vermont, 1600 - 1800, War, Migration, and the Survival of an Indian People (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990), and William Haviland and Marjory Power's The Original Vermonters: Native Inhabitants, Past and Present (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1994, revised); and the University of Vermont Consulting Archaeology Programs An Introduction to Vermont Archaeology: Native American Archaeological Sites and the Chittenden County Circumferential Highway (Burlington: University of Vermont Consulting Archaeology Program).

The Vermont Folklife Center has recently produced The Abenaki of Vermont: A Living Culture, a 28 minute video that illustrates how today's Abenakis maintain their cultural traditions in day-to-day life. The video and accompanying Teacher's Guide can be purchased from the Vermont Folklife Center.