The Abbott Farm National Landmark figures prominently in the history of American archaeology and includes archaeological sites spanning the past 10,000+ years of Indian life in the Delaware Valley. Charles Conrad Abbott, for whom the landmark is named, was one of the major figures embroiled in the debate over the existence of an “American Paleolithic” during the 19th century, fueling his argument with finds made on his property and in the Trenton area. The incredibly extensive excavations that have been conducted over the years in and around Abbott’s Farm provide an unprecedented view of Indian life in the Delaware Valley. The full value of this research has yet to be fully realized. Come tread the same ground as Abbott and early archaeological luminaries Ernest Volk, Alanson Skinner, Leslie Spier, Ales Hrdlicka, and Dorothy Cross. The walking tour will include visits to a sample of lowland/floodplain and upland localities, allowing participants to appreciate the linkage between environmental settings, geomorphology, stratigraphy, and Indian use of the landscape. Handouts will summarize the cultural and natural stratigraphy of each location and serve as the basis of discussion. In the uplands we’ll have the opportunity to examine wind blown sediments and the soils that develop in them. We’ll also visit the ruins of Abbott’s house and base of operations, “Three Beeches”.
The tour will leave the meeting hotel at 11:00 AM and arrive at the Abbott Farm before 12:00. We’ll explore the parts of the landmark until about 2:30 at which time we’ll travel to the New Jersey State Museum (about 20 minute drive) in Trenton to examine artifact collections from the Abbott Farm (3:00-4:30), and to be on hand for the opening of the new exhibit, Cultures in Competition: Indians and Europeans in Colonial New Jersey (4:30-6:00), sponsored by the Friends of the State Museum. During the walking tour we will be using established paths through both wooded and open areas, so choose your footwear accordingly. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Those needing more substantial comestibles are urged to brown bag it. Across the street from the meeting hotel are Wendy’s, MacDonald’s, and Denny’s. Refreshments will also be available at the exhibit opening at the New Jersey State Museum. Your guide for the walking tour will be Michael Stewart from the Department of Anthropology at Temple University. Stewart has been a part of archaeological investigations in and around the Abbott Farm that began in 1981 and were only concluded this past year!
Pre-registration is required for the walking tour, which also includes subsequent events at the State Museum. The walking tour is limited to 20 persons on a first come, first served basis. Participants must register by October 15. Both the walking tour and museum events are free. Those not on the walking tour but wishing to attend the exhibit opening (4:30-6:00) at the New Jersey State Museum must provide their own transportation from the meeting hotel. To register, fill out the form below and send to: Michael Stewart, Department of Anthropology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Email submissions should go to schurch@ushwy1.com (Please note the numeral “1" in the email address). Your registration will be confirmed by phone call and/or email.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
_____YES, I will go on the walking tour of the Abbott Farm National Landmark and attend subsequent events at the New Jersey State Museum.
NAME:________________________________________________________________
STREET ADDRESS: :________________________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS: :________________________________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER: :________________________________________________________________