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The 2011 field school will investigate Native American village sites dating from the 10th to 12th century. We are investigating the origins of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. Archaeologists have long maintained that the Confederacy was formed rather recently, either just before or after the arrival of Europeans (A.D. 1450-1650). The Haudenosaunee maintain that their confederacy is over 1,000 years old. Excavations at the Levanna site from 2007-2009 have found the first archaeological evidence of an early confederacy in the form of longhouse architecture, symbols on artifacts and smoking pipes.The 2011 field season will search for evidence at nearby sites contemporary to Levanna to support the evidence of that site.

Students will learn archaeological field techniques, including excavation, special sample extraction, mapping, and documentation. Since 2000, my archaeological field schools (conducted through Ithaca College, TC3 and Wells College) have promoted a new vision in archaeology that has come to be known as “indigenous archaeology.” This is a collaborative archaeology that includes Native people and seeks to make archaeology a positive force for them, instead of the negative force it has too often been. Besides learning the fundamental methods of field archaeology, students will also learn about the political context of the research, including the Cayuga people, their land claim, problems, and progress. A series of speakers including Native leaders, Clan Mothers, and artisans will visit the site to discuss their perspectives on life, history, and archaeology. We will also visit various sites, museums, and landmarks of historic interest in the area. The goal is to have a multifaceted experience that places the excavations into their proper cultural context. Archaeology is then an active shaper of social values and not just the study of old items. This is a unique vision for an archaeological field school.

For more information, contact Jack Rossen at jrossen@ithaca.edu.

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