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Danielle Cathcart
Gloucester County Chapter: November Meeting | ...
Public Archaeology
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Camden Public Archaeology Day | September ...
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October 2024 Quarterly Meeting Agenda

March 2020 Quarterly Meeting Agenda

UPDATE 3/11/20

The ASNJ is cancelling our March 2020 meeting scheduled for this Saturday, March 14th, due to TCNJ’s request to limit gatherings on school property in the wake of the corona virus threat. We are eager to find ways to reschedule the meeting for a later date. We will keep members apprised of the reschedule date once it is determined.

Thank you!

Archaeological Society of New Jersey March Meeting

Meeting date: Saturday March 14, 2020

Location: Gitenstein Library Auditorium at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
(the auditorium is located in the library basement)

Address: 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing Township, NJ 08618

Parking: Lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be open to visitors. Parking Passes are Required (available here). Please print your pass ahead of the meeting. Extra passes may be available onsite on a limited basis.

Campus map: Go to https://tcnj.edu/about/campus-info/campus-map/

Lecture Series (Gitenstein Library Auditorium)  

11 am - Noon: Board Meeting, All are welcome.

Noon - 1 pm: Lunch (Bring your own/explore campus offerings)

1 - 1:15 pm: Presidents Welcome

1:15 - 1:30 pm: Book Auction (tentative)

1:30 - 1:45 pm: Gender roles in Colonial America: Can ceramics be used as complimentary evidence? by Kiira Jeffers and George Leader, TCNJ

Gender roles changed drastically between colonial and post-colonial America. In colonial America, men and women often worked in the same areas of the farm, while in post-colonial America, women were designated the “private sphere” of the home while men were allowed to work in the public sphere. This paper argues that artifactual data, specifically ceramics, can be used to support already known knowledge about gender roles in the late 18th and early 19th century. The presence of high-quality ceramics could be an indicator of a wealthy family or of a lower-class family buying expensive ceramics but both options lead to a growing middle-class idea of eating together with family. This idea also indicated that he family was well-off and allowed for the wife to be the head of the house. The gender roles of women being placed in the domestic sphere and men in the public sphere can still be seen today, despite strides made in gender.

1:45 - 2 pm: A contextual assessment of entheseal changes in a skeletal sample from historic Philadelphia (ca 1702-1859) by Genevieve F. Duran and Jared S. Beatrice, TCNJ

Characterized by rapid change during the colonial and post-colonial periods, Philadelphia developed into one of the world’s most prominent cities. The recent accidental discovery of the historic (ca 1702-1859) First Baptist Church of Philadelphia cemetery provides a unique opportunity to examine lifeways during this time. This study uses sociocultural, historical, and anthropological perspectives to investigate evidence for activity patterns in a subsample of human skeletal remains from the cemetery.

2 - 2:15 pm: William Green Plantation: Mounting evidence for the presence of Washington's Cavalry (1777-1778) by Erin Meyer and George Leader, TCNJ

The William Green house was built in 1722 and was continuously occupied by the Green Family for four generations.  Documents have indicated that some of the Greens were members of Washington's militia during the revolution.  The plantation itself is named as a billet for the Light Cavalry throughout the war.  Here we discuss new evidence further adding to this claim.

2:15 - 2:30 pm: “Time of a Black boy”: Slavery in New Jersey and the William Green Plantation by Kristin Bridges and George Leader, TCNJ

Growing evidence suggests that the Green Family were slave holders. Their New Jersey homestead, the William Green Plantation was built around 1720. Recent archaeological excvations have recovered thousands of colonial aged artifacts but there remains little physical evidence of slavery.  Mounting archival evidence paints a different picture, one of the Green Family as slave holders and links slavery to the property itself. Here we discuss the new evidence and future research.

2:30 pm: A Walking Tour of The William Green House provided by George Leader *The house is a short 5 minute walk from the meeting space.

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Artifacts in Focus: Cast Iron Toy Bank (February 19, 2020)

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toy bank 2-19-20.jpg

Privies, which are essentially historic outhouses, can contain a wealth of information about the individuals who used them and are remarkably reflective of the time period of their use! "Archaeologists have found that privies embody 'ideas about cleanliness, health, beauty, and privacy, as well as providing data on diet, socioeconomic status, divisions between households, construction methods, and maintenance behavior,' according to Kathleen Wheeler..."

This cast iron toy bank was recovered from a privy identified during an archaeological excavation. What might this object say about the individuals who used the privy?

Learn about privies and their historical significance here: https://daily.jstor.org/privies-vaults-of-the-past/, and let us know what you think about this fantastic find! 

📸: Joshua Butchko

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Artifacts in Focus: Rancocas Projectile Point (February 12, 2020)

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Rancocas-point-2-12-20.jpeg

This week’s #artifactinfocus is short, sweet, and to the point! 

This is a pre-contact period broken quartz projectile point found along the North Branch of the Rancocas Creek during an archaeological survey. 11,000 years ago, humans started populating the Rancocas Valley. Native Americans relied on the Rancocas Creek for fishing and trapping, as well as transportation and irrigation.   

“The earliest Europeans named the creek for Remkokes, the native king who occupied the surrounding lands. Whether this was the traditional name given to the stream by the indigenous people is unknown.”  (https://rcnwt.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/theforksoftherancocas.pdf)  

📸: Allison Gall 

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Artifacts in Focus: Lens (February 5, 2020)

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lens - 2-5-20.jpg

This week, we have selected an object of curiosity, described as: "A quirky little lens found recently on a site in Trenton, NJ. The edge is threaded. Thoughts on what it's a part of?"

Please leave your insight in the comments on our social media platforms! We look forward to hearing your ideas!

📸: Joshua Butchko

View the Original Posting Here
Comment on Facebook
Comment on Twitter
Comment on Instagram

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Artifacts in Focus: Porcelain Saucer (January 29, 2020)

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We have a rare treat for you this week! We received two submissions of the same artifact by two different individuals, showing the moment it was discovered in the field and the moment it was pieced back together after the excavation.

This porcelain saucer was made between the 1750s and 1790s, and was found in a context dated to 1801 at the Dunham House in Woodbridge, NJ during the society’s recent research excavation in September 2019. The saucer was used by the Barron Family, who occupied the house until 1870.

The Barron name was an important one in town, as the family was one of the first to settle in Woodbridge in the late seventeenth century. Well known for their patriotism and philanthropy, the Barrons made many contributions to their country and town.

You can learn more about the Barron family and the history of Woodbridge here: https://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/935/Woodbridge-Walking-Tour-Map---Volume-I-PDF.

Learn more about ASNJ field excavations here, and keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to dig! https://www.asnj.org/volunteer-digs

👀: Discovered by Joshua Butchko
🍽: Reassembled by Michael Gall

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Artifacts in Focus: Bone Needle Case (January 22, 2020)

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bone needle case - 1-22-20.jpg

This bone needle case was recovered from a sub-floor pit in a c. 1690-1720s slave quarter/out-kitchen in Burlington County. It is decorated with repeating series of four incisions. The repetition of four has significant magical and spiritual meaning for several West African cultures, particularly those of the Kwa language cultures who were heavily exploited for enslavement. It likely served a divination purpose at the site as it was found in association with quartz crystal, quartz pebbles, and a copper spoon. A similar bone needle case was also recovered from a c. 1700-1730 slave quarter at Utopia in Virginia. The NJ bone needle case along with the identification of a subfloor pit and other artifacts found at the site more commonly in the Chesapeake region may speak to the sale of enslaved Africans from that area northwards to NJ.

📸: Photographed by Allison Gall

📩: Submitted by Adam Heinrich

> We want to see more! Photos of your artifacts can be submitted via direct message to our Facebook or Instagram accounts, or by email to asofnj@gmail.com. Please include a small text blurb to be featured with your photo if selected. We will select one each week to highlight on our social media platforms and our website.

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Executive Board Election: Vote for the Candidates for the ASNJ Executive Board (2020-2022)

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Vote for the Candidates for the ASNJ Executive Board (2020-2022). Take a look at the candidates who are running for board positions, download the ballot and please hand deliver it at the January 18th, 2020 meeting.

Candidates for the ASNJ Executive Board (2020-2022)

Candidate for President

Michael Gall

I am running for President of the ASNJ. I have been a member of the society since 1998 and an ASNJ board member since 2008, having served as Member-At-Large, Treasurer, Membership (2nd Vice President), and President. I have worked tirelessly to promote the society; developed relationships with historical societies, universities and County Cultural Commissions; helped modernize our web presence with other board members; and have directed several public archaeology opportunities through the Society for our members. As President, I will continue to serve and promote the Society’s interests.

Candidate for 1st Vice President (Education)

David Mudge

I have worked hard to advance the cause of archaeology in the state and region, both in my job and in my off hours. From the production of documentaries, to the development of teaching guides and exhibits, I have striven to bring the past to life for the public edification. As part of my efforts, I have reached out to various representatives of the Native America community many times, in order to give them a stronger voice in their history. As I read various news items and comments, I am convinced that we still need to work hard at informing the public on the value of archaeology, and helping the public to make informed decisions regarding preservation options.

Candidate for 2nd Vice President (Membership)

Richard Adamczyk

I am running for the 2nd Vice President, Membership position. I am currently performing the duties of this position and have been for the past year. I hope to continue managing the society's membership list and enact new initiatives to help increase our numbers. I want to work with the Social Media Coordinator to improve our online presence and encourage new members to join. I would also like to work with the Vice President of Education to reach out to high schools and universities, attracting the next generation of archaeologists to the society.

Candidate for 3rd Vice President (Programs)

Kristen Hohn

Kristen Hohn is a Historic Archaeologist and Preservation Specialist working for the Monmouth County Park System, with 10 years of experience in the Middle Atlantic Region. Her research interests include 18th-century textile production and the economic development of New Jersey in the early American nation. The position of Program Chair falls within her existing skills set, as a past board member, and later president, of a collegiate non-profit philanthropic organization. Comfortable negotiating program spaces and with professional networking, Ms. Hohn hopes to use her existing connections with historic organizations throughout the state in the scheduling of future meetings and society events.

Candidates for Treasurer (Vote for 1)

Jesse Walker

I have served on the ASNJ executive board since 2016 as the newsletter editor and am a Senior Archaeologist working in the cultural resources management department at AECOM in Burlington, NJ. I specialize in Native American archaeology and conducted archaeological investigations in New Jersey over the last 17 years. I have also co-authored an article in the ASNJ Bulletin on the Hoffman site (28Gl228) based on analysis collaboration with Guy DiGiugno. As Treasurer, I will continue to manage the organization’s bank accounts and finances.

Danielle Cathcart

I have over a decade of archaeological experience in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, working for academic and non-profit institutions, as well as in cultural resource management since 2010. As a former and active member of several professional organizations, I have participated in panel discussions, presented original research, and served as a steering committee chair for the CNEA. I am detail-oriented and place great emphasis on accuracy and efficiency in my work as a material culture analyst and collections manager. Thank you for your consideration.

Candidate for Recording Secretary

Matthew Del Guercio

I am a graduate student of anthropology at Monmouth University and a field technician for Richard Grubb and Associates, NJ. I also work as the site manager of a local historic site, the Parker Farmstead in Little Silver, NJ. I have a strong interest in the historical archaeology of New Jersey. As a hardworking and organized individual, I hope to be an asset to the ASNJ while serving as recording secretary.

Candidates for Social Media Manager (Vote for 1)

Sabrina Madjeski

Hi all! I'm Sabrina and I'm the current social media person for ASNJ! I'm constantly on social media and I enjoy taking photos and posting them on social media (I mean just take a look at my personal social media haha!) I also share, etc. photos that others either post on social media and/or send to me. I do spread the word as to what's going on in the history and archaeology field.

Alexis Alemy

I am seeking the position of Social Media Manager. I have experience managing institutional social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram and have many ideas that I would like to implement for the ASNJ including daily posting related to both the specific activities of the ASNJ and to archaeology in New Jersey as whole. My mission is to increase public engagement with the ASNJ social media pages in an effort to raise awareness of the organization, archaeology, and the value of history and historical research by posting content consistently and maintaining an active social media environment, informed by the collective work of members of the ASNJ and archaeologists in New Jersey.

Candidate for Newsletter Editor

Joshua Butchko

Greetings all! For those who don’t know me, I’ve been employed at Hunter Research, Inc. since 2003, where I currently serve as Principal Investigator, Laboratory Director and Company Safety Officer. I specialize in historic material culture and have a knack for executing effective monitoring programs, but my experience is well rounded. Lately, I’ve been especially keen on public archaeology programming and exhibit development. My interest in the Newsletter Editor position is in part borne from my interest in returning to my past life as a student newspaper editor, but also because I think it’s the right opportunity to get more involved with ASNJ. There are several issues in CRM and the field of archaeology at large which I’d hope to acknowledge where possible via the newsletter. These include accessibility, diversity and public outreach. If selected, I look forward to working with the board to provide our very best to membership and other readers.

Candidate for Bulletin Editor

Richard Veit, Ph.D.

I have been a member of the ASNJ for over twenty years. During this time, I have served as a Member-at-Large (1993-1998), Treasurer (1998-2004), First Vice President (2004-2007), President (2007-2011) and Third Vice President—Programs (2012-2013). Since 2016, I have served as Bulletin Editor. I am also a Fellow of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey and a Registered Professional Archaeologist. My BA in Anthropology is from Drew University, my MA is from the College of William and Mary and in 1997 I completed my Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, I am a Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University. I teach courses on archaeology, cultural anthropology, historical archaeology, historic preservation, and New Jersey history. Prior to coming to Monmouth, I worked in cultural resource management for CRCG, Louis Berger and Associates, and Gannett Fleming. I still do occasional consulting on historic cemeteries and tree-ring dating. My research interests include the archaeology of colonial New Jersey and early American material culture. As Bulletin Editor, I look forward to supporting the ASNJ by publishing the best current research on New Jersey archaeology.

Candidate for Webmaster

Evan Mydlowski

I am currently on the ASNJ Executive Board as the Webmaster (1 year) and would like to be re-elected into this position to continue to help make the ASNJ web presence flourish and grow. I have been designing and maintaining websites for 7 years, and I have most recently designed the new website for the ASNJ. My experience includes maintaining the online version of Monmouth University’s Newspaper, The Outlook, for 4 years, as well as, help design their present website to showcase their content. I believe that the latest version of the ASNJ website can only get better from here on out and I would like to be the person to continue to oversee and improve the process of adhering to the flow of visitors of the website and evolving trends within the online community. I am excited to implement new ideas for the ASNJ and the website if I am chosen to continue in my position.

Candidates for Member-At-Large (Vote for 2)

Michelle Davenport

I am running for a seat on the Board for the Archaeological Society of New Jersey as a Member-at-Large. During graduate school, I served as Vice President of the anthropology department’s Graduate Student Association, where I realized just how important it is for an organization to receive input from all of its members. The ASNJ is able to serve the New Jersey community because of its active membership, comprised of members originating in a wide variety of academic and professional disciplines, and I look forward to continuing to facilitate effective communication between members and the board. Through the ASNJ, I am constantly learning about the history and prehistory of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic, which is a relatively new area for me. As a member of the ASNJ and a Member-at-Large, I look forward to not only continuing to learn from all of you, but also hope to bring a wider archaeological and historical perspective to local research questions as a result of my own experience.

Matthew Tomaso

Born and raised in Warren Township, New Jersey, I worked and studied in Maine and Texas in the late 1980s and early 1990s, returning to the garden state to teach a field school and classroom courses in archaeology and earth science at Montclair State University in the mid-1990s. I have also worked in Cultural Resource Management since 1987 and have served on the ASNJ’s and a few other organizations’ executive boards almost continuously since 1997. My interests in archaeology are very diverse, but, having done my graduate work under the late Karl W. Butzer, I tend to emphasize an understanding of environmental contexts, formation processes and evidence-based approaches to cultural phenomena. I would like to serve, again as Member-At-Large. I believe that my depth of experience both inside of and outside of New Jersey, my strong interdisciplinary academic and regulatory background and my employment with a broadly interdisciplinary consulting firm allow me to offer a somewhat unique perspective on the Society’s concerns, initiatives and future.

Download the ballot and please hand deliver it at the January 18th, 2020 meeting.

January 2020 Quarterly Meeting Agenda

Archaeological Society of New Jersey January Meeting

Meeting date: Saturday January 18, 2020

Location: Monmouth University

Address: 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ 07764

Link: https://www.monmouth.edu/


11:00am – 12:00am Board Meeting in Young Auditorium in Bey Hall. All are welcome.

12:00 – 12:45 Break for Lunch (On your own)

Lecture Series (Young Auditorium in Bey Hall)  

12:45 – 1:00 Presidents Welcome

1:00 – 1:15 Elections

1:15 – 1:30 Book Auction

1:30 – 1:50 “That These Dead Shall Not have Died in Vain,” The Above-Ground Archaeology of New Jersey’s War Memorials.” – Presented by: Richard Veit, Ph.D., Melissa Ziobro, and Mark Cianciosi, Monmouth University.

1:50 – 2:10 “Look what just washed up on the Jersey Shore: Influences of climate change on archaeological sites in New Jersey” – Presented by: Gregory D. Lattanzi, PhD, Curator/State Archaeologist New Jersey State Museum Trenton, New Jersey.

2:10 – 2:30 “Pits, Tobacco, and Ceremony: Enslavement on a Delaware Farmstead” – Presented by: Michael J. Gall, Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc.

2:30 – 4:00 Artifact “Show and Tell” Bring your artifacts for identification, display and discuss with others.

For more information, contact Darryl Daum [ddaum3@gmail.com]

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Gloucester County Chapter: Meeting - November 6, 2019

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Upcoming meeting at the Gloucester County Chapter of the ASNJ:

Adam Heinrich - Resource Procurement and Lithic Processing at the Archaic Period Sorbello 1 Site (28-Sa-214) in the Oldmans Creek Drainage, Salem County, New Jersey.

Wednesday November 6, 2019 at 7pm. West Deptford Public Library, 420 Crown Point Rd, Thorofare, NJ

October 2019 Quarterly Meeting Agenda

Archaeological Society of New Jersey October Meeting Program

Meeting date: Saturday October 19, 2019

Location: Washington's Headquarters Museum and Ford Mansion

Address: 30 Washington Place, Morristown NJ 07960

Link: Ford Mansion - Washington's Headquarters - Morristown National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)


10:30am – 12:00am Board Meeting downstairs in the Headquarters building. All are welcome.

12:00 – 1:00 Break for Lunch (On your own) 

Lecture Series in Auditorium
 

1:00 – 1:15      Presidents Welcome 

1:15 – 1:45 “Hidden Archaeological Treasures of Morristown National Historical Park” –Presented by: Steve Santucci, West Morris Mendham High School, ASNJ Board Member, MNHP Volunteer. 

1:45 – 2:15 “The Avalon Old Bridge Prehistoric Site (28-Mi-275)”–Presented by: Lauren Lembo, MA, RPA

2:15 – 2:45 "Salvage Archaeology at the Hendrickson Farm" – Presented by: Kristen T. Hohn, MA, RPA

3:00– 4:00 Guided tour of mansion for ASNJ members only. Please RSVP Darryl Daum (ddaum3@gmail.com) if you would like to attend this tour. The tour can only accommodate 20 people so the first 20 to respond will be able to attend. 

Note: some GPS apps and devices do not have this address correctly mapped. If it looks like it's taking you to downtown Morristown or to our larger Jockey Hollow area, try using our directions listed at the bottom of this program.

Members are encouraged to park in the lower parking lot. The board meeting entrance is in the rear of building closest to the lower lot.

Driving Directions:


Traveling Southbound on 287

·Take Exit 36

·On the exit ramp take the fork for "Morris Avenue/ Lafayette", the left exit lane.

·After you get off the exit ramp you need to immediately get over to the far left lane to turn left at the light onto Ridgedale Ave.

·Left at the next light onto Morris Avenue (Route 510 East).

·Stay going straight on Morris Ave. Go over 287.

·Continue on the left, make the left fork, and follow the signs for Washington’s Headquarters. (You’ve just gone around in a big circle because of all the one-way streets in town.)

Traveling Northbound on 287

·Take exit 36A, Morris Ave

· At the end of the exit ramp, turn right to be on Morris Avenue (Route 510 East).

·Immediately get over to the left.

·Continue on the left, make the left fork, and follow the signs for Washington’s Headquarters.

For more information, contact Darryl Daum [ddaum3@gmail.com]

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Hendrickson Volunteer Dig (Middletown, NJ) Acknowlegements

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This weekend the ASNJ and Monmouth University teamed up to conduct a salvage archaeology project at the Hendrickson Farm in Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ. The project was directed by Monmouth County Park System and ASNJ member Kristen Norbut. Numerous ASNJ members and Monmouth University students assisted with the dig. Richard Veit took dendrochronology samples and Adam Heinrich gathered measurements for a future 3D render of the building. We had a successful day on Saturday, having excavated three units (2 3-foot square units and 1 five-foot square unit). Several features were identified, included a probable early 19th-century smokehouse foundation. We are really excited to see Kristen's forthcoming interpretations compiled from gathered data, historical research, and artifact analysis. 

Thanks to all. It was so great digging with you on such a beautiful weekend day. 

Sincerely,

Michael Gall
ASNJ President

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Gloucester County Chapter: May 2019 Artifact Show Acknowlegements

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View of the Gloucester County Chapter of ASNJ’s 22th Annual Artifact Show held on May 1, 2019 at the West Deptford Public Library, Thorofare, NJ. The event was a great success. Thank you to Guy DiGiugno for organizing the event and everyone one that participated.

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William Green House: Archaeological Volunteer Dig and Site Tour Rescheduled

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Due to rain, the volunteer archaeological dig at the William Green house on the TCNJ campus set for tomorrow (Friday, April 26), has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 30, from 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Please contact Dr. George Leader if you are interested in attending at georgemleader@gmail.com.

Read the original posting here for more details.

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Hendrickson Volunteer Dig (Middletown, NJ) - May 11-12, 2019

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Hendrickson_House.JPG

The ASNJ is participating in a two-day volunteer salvage archaeology dig on May 11-12, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and needs your help. This dig is only available to current members of the society and we are seeking up to 7 individuals to help in each of the time slots being offered. Time slots will be from 9:00-1:00 (May 11), 1:00-5:00 (May 11), 9:00-1:00 (May 12), 1:00-5:00 (May 12). Tools will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own trowels if you have them. If there is a rain day, the dig will be canceled for that day. 

The dig site is at 1275 Greenoak Boulevard, Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ, at the Hendrickson House, a mid-18th-century dwelling that may have an older 17th-century core. We expect to find lots of fantastic early artifacts that will help us better understand colonial settlement in Middletown, NJ. The salvage archaeology project will include the hand excavation of up to three (3) 1 meter square units to investigate for early artifacts and features. 

Please bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and a snack/lunch. Parking will be available along the curb.  Please reach out to me at mjgall79@yahoo.com if you have any questions or sign up if you are interested in participating.