IO NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



earth and its hidden records of early races, the archeologist develops 

 a knowledge of geology from the human side. To the arche- 

 ologist both geology and history have a special significance. The 

 archeologist knows how primitive man literally hewed out his 

 material culture from the rocks that the geologist knows as schist, 

 granite, quartz and flint. Civilization grew out of man's pound- 

 ing these rocks with his stone hammers. The archeologist thus 

 builds up the foundation upon which history rests and affirms that 

 history can not be understood aside from the knowledge afforded and 

 the light shed by archeology. 



The keen interest in the archeology of New York State has 

 resulted in a growing demand for explanatory literature. Essential 

 facts have been scattered through books, departmental bulletins, 

 pamphlets and periodicals, and have not been available to the student 

 or collector who did not possess a considerable library. For some 

 time it has been apparent to the writer that a general handbook was 

 needed. Indeed, the announcement that one was in course of pre- 

 paration brought forth numerous requests that copies be reserved. 



This volume is a response to a need expressed by many collectors 

 and professional archeologists. It is a brief attempt to define the 

 various cultures, to describe certain type specimens, certain import- 

 ant excavations, and, finally, to give a list of localities showing 

 evidences of aboriginal occupation. We shall not here discuss the 

 history of the tribes found at the opening of the colonial period or 

 lo describe European trade articles. 



The lists of sites are probably incomplete. New places will 

 be discovered from time to time. Certain errors no doubt will be 

 found in the lists, for our citations have been compiled from long 

 lists furnished by several hundred collectors, or drawn from his- 

 torical works and county histories. We are deeply grateful to those 

 who have furnished information, lists and copies of maps. With- 

 out such aid this volume would not have been possible. A partial 

 record of names of those who assisted in the compilation of sites will 

 be found in another part of the volume. 



From the beginning great interest in the progress of this work has 

 been manifested by the Director of the State Museum, Dr John M. 

 Clarke. He has shown a real appreciation of the interests of students 

 and collectors, and has not only liberally supported our efforts to 

 acquire illustrative material but has made possible the acquisition of 

 the thousands of archeological specimens that make up the State 

 Museum collections. Special thanks are also due to Jacob VanDeloo, 



