The Archaeology of Akwesasne
By Francis (Francesco) Scardera
One of the earliest archaeological surveys making reference to the areas surrounding Akwesasne was conducted by Ephraim G. Squier which resulted in the publication of the 1851 Aboriginal Monuments of the State of New York, modelled after his collaborative success with Edwin Davis, the 1848 publication Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley. Squier’s work set the benchmark for archaeological surveys and has inspired others to document sites.
Although Squier’s opinion may have shifted a little as he ventured north and closer to the St. Lawrence, he failed to acknowledge that native Indians were the architects and builders of the earthworks and mounds. It was commonly held at the time, that the earthworks and mounds were built by an extinct, separate and superior race or “semicivilized nations which formerly had their seats among the sierras of Mexico, upon the plains of Central America and Peru” (Squier and Davis 1848:301). It was not until 1887 when Cyrus Thomas of the Smithsonian Institution began to challenge the “lost tribe” theory (Thomas 1887:80).
Despite what appears to be a voluminous work, there is increasing evidence that Squier’s survey was incomplete due to a lack of funds (Barnhart 2005:102) and poor weather (Meltzer 1998:59). As a result, there are many archaeological remains that have not been properly documented.
On my very first day of surveying in Akwesasne, someone remarked, “Why do we need to do an archaeological survey Akwesasne? We already own this land.” Ownership of land does not imply that archaeological sites have been identified or that they are being protected. The goal of a survey is not necessarily to excavate, but to identify and protect sites.
Similarly, Squier and Davis set out to document earthworks and mounds before the ploughs of agriculture and development projects, like railways and canals, would erase all evidence. The continued growth of the Akwesasne community, coupled by the proliferation of development projects, may inadvertently be erasing undocumented sites.
We have all noticed evidence of the past on our very own properties. Perhaps it’s an old foundation or barn, a trail grandpa talked about, an oddly shaped rock or boulder, or a legend you once heard. Maybe you once found a projectile point or a broken piece of pottery, or came across a very old photo in the family collection. Share your stories. Help us document the past.
Montreal Teacher Makes Prehistoric Find
Friday, November 18, 2005A Montreal archaeologist is hoping the rare example of Indian rock art he rediscovered will encourage people in the region to share stories of other possible treasures.
Francis Scardera found the red ochrestreaked rock face along the Indian River drainage system in upstate New York.
He says it is a prehistoric work of art, which, in North America, means it dates back between 500 and 2,000 years.
Scardera reported his find for the first time in October at the Conference on Iroquois Research, but is hoping now to be able to find even more.
“I’m convinced that there are a lot more out there,” he says, referring to Indian rock art long believed to have been washed away by centuries of weathering.
He hopes that when people get news that there are ancient works of art in this part of North America, that others may offer up tips on where to find more.
Location was a mystery for decades
The last time the rock face was seen was in a 1920 photograph, which was kept by a museum in New York State, but Scardera says the exact whereabouts of the rock were lost.
So the Loyola High School archeology teacher took that photo, along with aerial photos, and spent years trying to pinpoint the exact location of the art.
He was thrilled when he stumbled upon the Indian art, and shared the news with others who had also been curious about where the art lay. He was also the one to inform the owners of the land what secrets their property held.
Red ochre painting
It is uncertain which Indian tribe is responsible for the art, Scardera says. It could have been Oneida, Mohawk, Algonquin, Iroquois, or a number of other tribes which frequented the Iroquoia area at that time.
The area is known to archaelogists as the land covered by the modern-day St. Lawrence Valley, southern Ontario and Quebec, nestled betwen the Adirondacks and the Great Lakes.
The red ochre drawing might represent people standing on a boat, although Scardera says it is too difficult to surmise what the art depicts.
Red ochre powder, which was often used as a dye or paint, was likely mixed with animal fat for consistency, Scardera says. And he says that animal fat could could be carbon-dated, which will allow experts to figure out with some certainty when the painting was done.
Picture rocks are extremely rare in that area, experts agree. It’s believed that there are only two other known works of Indian art in the northeastern U.S., and they are both in Maine.
Reprinted
Article can be found at: CBC.ca
