The Ancient Meadowcroft Rockshelter
Meadowcroft Rockshelter, an archaeological site near Avella in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania, provides a unique glimpse into ancient human life. Overlooking Cross Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River, this site contains evidence of continuous human habitation for over 19,000 years. If these dates are accurate, Meadowcroft would be one of the earliest known sites of human presence in the New World.
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Location and Geological Features
Located 27 miles west-southwest of Pittsburgh, the site operates as a division of the Heinz History Center. It includes a museum and a reconstructed Monongahela culture Indian village from the 1570s. Meadowcroft is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Treasure. The rockshelter, a natural formation beneath an overhanging cliff of Morgantown-Connellsville sandstone, lies in the Allegheny Plateau, northwest of the Appalachian Basin.
Archaeological Discoveries
Excavations and Findings
Native Americans left the site during the American Revolutionary War. Albert Miller rediscovered it in 1955 when he found artifacts in a groundhog burrow. He reported his findings to James M. Adovasio, who led excavations from 1973 to 1979. Further excavations continued through 1989 and resumed in the 1990s by Adovasio and the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute. Meadowcroft remains one of North America’s most meticulously excavated sites.
The site produced potential pre-Clovis remains found as deep as 11.5 feet underground. Artifacts include pottery, bifaces, lamellar blades, and a lanceolate projectile point. Flint from Ohio, jasper from eastern Pennsylvania, and marine shells from the Atlantic coast suggest long-distance trade. The arid environment preserved a significant collection of flora and fauna, providing insights into the diet and lifestyle of ancient inhabitants.
Dating and Controversy
Radiocarbon dating suggests the site was occupied as early as 19,000 years ago. However, these dates are controversial. Critics argue that ancient carbon contamination might have affected the results. Independent tests showed no evidence of groundwater contamination, supporting the early dates. If accurate, Meadowcroft offers crucial evidence of pre-Clovis human habitation in North America.
The Miller Complex
Archaeologists found a unique type of arrowhead, named the Miller Lanceolate projectile point, at the site. Similar artifacts in the Cross Creek watershed define the Miller complex. This complex includes thin bifaces, prismatic blades, and debitage related to tool maintenance. The Miller complex’s technology appears distinct from subsequent Paleoindian fluted-point assemblages, suggesting a unique cultural development.
Tourism and Recognition
Visitors to Meadowcroft can see tools and campfires made thousands of years ago. The site features a recreated 16th-century Monongahela village and buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2005, Meadowcroft also holds designations as a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Treasure and an official project of Save America’s Treasures.
Significance
Meadowcroft Rockshelter stands as a testament to early human ingenuity and adaptability. It offers invaluable insights into the lives of prehistoric hunters and gatherers. As one of the oldest known human habitation sites in North America, Meadowcroft continues to intrigue archaeologists and visitors alike.
Sources: Wikipedia
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