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Anthropology and Folklife | New York State History | Archaeology and The Ancient World | Native American Studies | Hudson Fulton Champlain Quadricentennial

Understanding Past Native American Cultures in the Hudson Valley Through Archaeology

A lecture by Eugene J. Boesch

This presentation examines Native American cultures and adaptations in the southeastern New York region from the area's earliest occupation by humans, at least 13,000 years ago, to the period of initial European exploration. Changing climate and environmental settings over that time, particularly the end of the last ice age and the appearance of an essentially modern climate, as well as population movements, resulted in the development of many prehistoric cultures and diverse life ways.

These life ways are reflected by the Native American cultures that are recognized for the region, referred to by archaeologists as the PaleoIndian (11,000 - 6,500 B.C.), Archaic (6,500 - 1,000 B.C.), Woodland (1,000 B.C. - A.D. 1,500), and Euro-American Contact periods (A.D. 1,500 - 1,650), as well as by the variety of archaeological sites that have been identified there. Slides and Native American artifacts will be employed during the presentation, followed by a question and answer period.

This lecture is available from November 1, 2008 to January 1, 2011

Can be tailored to a high school audience

Setup Needed

  • Slide projector and screen required
  • Microphone optional

Dr. Eugene J. Boesch

Senior Archaeologist, Historic Preservation and Archaeology

Dr. Boesch received a Ph.D. in Anthropology from New York University, specializing in Native American cultures and adaptations in the Eastern Woodlands of North America. He has operated a cultural resource firm in the Hudson Valley for over twenty years and has taught at various area colleges and universities. A concern for local historic preservation issues has led him to serve as a member of the Westchester County and Putnam County Historic Preservation Advisory Committees.

Telephone: (845) 628-3826
Address: 581 Long Pond Road
Mahopac, NY  10541
Putnam County
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