Majors: Archaeology, Geology
Research Advisors: Dr. Tim Messner
Presidential Scholar Advisor: Dr. Jan Trybula
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Title: Composition Analysis of Iroquoian Ceramics by way of Radiometric and Mineralogical Analysis
The deep history of the Adirondacks is poorly understood. The conventional understanding is that ancient Native peoples did not live there. Ironically, there are many archaeological sites that depict a rich and complex history. For example, at the Kimberly site, located in Speculator NY, researchers discovered a Haudenosee hamlet dating to ~AD1400. Numerous pieces of pottery suggest a long term occupation consisting of many family units. The nature of this occupation remains poorly understood. This research seeks to answer the question of if this settlement is connected to a larger network of settlements reaching into the Mohawk Valley. I plan to do this by identifying particular quirks of the ceramic that are tempers, and the unique clay recipe that it is composed of in order to trace it back to a particular specific culture or location.