346 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



refuse; these were thin, flat spHnters, neatly worked and perforated 

 in two or more places in the middle. Several pieces of tubular bone 

 were found, one of them being marked with six incisions drawn 

 across the object. Of considerable interest were the fragments of 

 mentapodial bone scrapers, or drawn shaves. The two fragments dis- 

 covered lacked the joints that served as handles at either end. 



Some pieces of worked antler were obtained, among them two 

 specimens that seemed to be parts of chisels or small wedges. One 

 piece of antler worked in the form of a small cylinder and broken, 

 seemed to have been part of a flaking tool used in making flint 

 articles. 



In one pit in the center of the slope was a dog's skeleton, and 

 near it a fragment of a human skull. The bones of the dog w^re 

 properly related, except the hind legs which had been dug away after 

 burial and partly calcined by the fire from a pit that had intruded 

 into the burial. The human skull fragment was the only human bone 

 found. Efiforts were made to locate the burial ground but it was not 

 discovered. Local traditions related by the people about Matinicock 

 mentioned the finding of skeletons in other places, and thus it may 

 be that no burial ground w^as associated with the site at least not 

 nearby. 



The only cultivated vegetable foods found were a few kernels of 

 charred corn, one bean and what seemed to be a plum pit. 



From our excavations it w&s concluded that the site marked a 

 small village of the Matinicock Indians, and that the time of occupa- 

 tion was precolonial. The spot was well sheltered, the soil, especially 

 on the top of the rise, was dry and well drained, access to the tide 

 creek was easy and the fresh-water brook furnished an abundant 

 v.ater supply. Food must have been plentiful and well within reach. 

 The waters of the creek were filled with fish and the mud afforded 

 a plentiful supply of oysters. From the site it was an easy row to 

 any part of Oyster Bay proper, while the overland trails led to 

 inland hunting grounds. 



Dos or is Pond Site 



While conducting our excavations at Matinicock, Mr Harring- 

 ton and myself found it possible on frequent occasions to visit 

 other sites. Many of these were too scattered and too small to 

 repay investigation. With one, however, we were particularly 

 impressed. This was situated on Dosoris j^ond. near (ilen Cove, 

 and lay entirely upon the estate of Mr James Price. Of the many 

 visitors who came to our camp at Matinicock, Mr Price had been 

 orie of whose sympathy we were sure. He at least realized that the 



