Tuesday, May 4th - Archaeology, Tourism, and Intrigue at the Levanna Site, Cayuga County, NY

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:

Tuesday, May 4th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm, Histories Mysteries -
Archaeology, Tourism, and Intrigue at the Levanna Site, Cayuga County, NY
Jack Rossen, Associate Professor & Chair, Dept of Anthropology, Ithaca College,
at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center, 345 Broad Street, Waverly, NY

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This talk discusses how perceptions and interpretations of the Levanna site have changed throughout the history of investigations at the site. The site was discovered in 1922 and excavated from 1932-1947 and 2007-2009. The site was also an elaborate tourist attraction from 1933-1940. Analysis of the collections recovered over three recent field seasons is underway. Preliminary statements may be made on interpretive changes of the site, including how the site is culturally assigned (Algonkian, Owasco, Cayuga), the type of domestic architecture (small circular versus proto-longhouse), whether the site was palisaded, and the nature of regional ceramic typologies and the famous stone animal effigies. There are also important implications for how archaeologists conducted their business in the 1930s and 1940s and how Native American-archaeologist relationships are changing in the 21st century. There are some features of this site that have been compared to those found at Spanish Hill in South Waverly, PA and is a MUST for those seeking more information about this site as well.

Jack Rossen is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Ithaca College. He received his doctorate from the University of Kentucky (1991). He has conducted archaeological research in Peru, Chile, and Argentina, and has also analyzed archaeobotanical materials from throughout South America, the Ohio Valley and the northeastern U.S. His work on collaborative archaeological and community projects with the Cayuga and Onondaga in what is now central New York began in 1999.

Doors open at 6pm. Admission is $5 for adults , $4 for SRAC members and students. Admission to the SRAC Exhibit Hall filled with thousands of local artifacts is included in the admission price. Call the Center at 607-565-7960 for more information.