Ithaca College

As part of an experiential learning component of the North American Archaeology class, students were able to visit and learn about one of the most famous sites in the northeast.

Jack Rossen, Anthropology Department, and seven students took an overnight field trip to Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Avella, western Pennsylvania on April 9-10. They were given a talk and private tour of the site by Dr. James Adovasio, the site’s excavator, now Provost at Mercyhurst College. Meadowcroft is famous as the earliest documented habitation of the northeast, with an occupation as early as 15,000 years before present. Dr. Adovasio discussed the site’s geological history and complex stratigraphy, the excruciatingly careful methods used to excavate, including razor blades, and the decades-long controversy, including the final vindication. The site is now a National Historic Landmark and is protected by a million dollar specially designed structure that is a marvel unto itself. This field trip was supported by an Educational Grant Initiative (EGI) grant from the Humanities and Sciences Dean’s Office.