1. March 5, 2019     "What Everyone Should Know About the Archaeology of Connecticut"

This initial episode provided a general introduction to Connecticut archaeology; Dr. Jones was accompanied by FOSA member Don Rankin. The discussion wasfocused around two of Dr. Jones' papers, which can be found at https://uconn.academia.edu/BrianJones, titled,
• "The Colonization of the Curriculum: 13,000 years of Missing History in the Connecticut Content Standards of the Social Sciences, with Suggestions for Class Exercises"  and
• "Historical Archaeology and the Connecticut Social Studies Curriculum".
Each paper focuses on 5 main themes in Native archaeology and historical archaeology. These are:
> The colonization of an uninhabited Ice Age landscape,
> The adaptation to post-glacial habitats,
> The development of formalized exchange networks,
> Strategies for feeding a growing population, and
> The development of politically complex societies.

2. April 2, 2019     "The Templeton Site and Paleoindians of Connecticut"

For this show, Dr. Jones was accompanied by FOSA members Dr. Zac Singer and Scott Brady.

Templeton is the oldest known archaeological site in Connecticut; its Paleo-Indian component has been radiocarbon-dated to 11,190 years before the present. It was discovered and originally excavated in the late 1970s by archaeologists from the Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) museum in Washington, CT, under the direction of then-Director of Research Dr. Roger Moeller, who published a book on his findings "6LF21: A Paleo-Indian Site in Western Connecticut". IAIS has returned to researching the site in the person of Dr. Zachary Singer, who is a Research Associate at the museum.

For additional information on the Templeton Site, please click https://diggingintothepast.org/templeton/.

3. May 7, 2019     "The Early Archaic Period and life after the Ice Age in Connecticut"

For this show, Brian was accompanied by Daniel Forrest of the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL); David Leslie of Archaeological and Historical Services (AHS); and FOSA President Scott Brady.

While primarily known as an Early Archaic site comprising of a series of pithouse features, excavations in Avon near the Farmington River are beginning to reveal a more complex sequence of occupations. Ongoing excavations have yielded a series of large pit features which AMS dating reveal to be part of the Early to Middle Woodland period.

To access this discussion, please click https://icrvradio.com/programs/program/285.

4. June 4, 2019     "The [Middle] Archaic Period in Connecticut"

For this show, Brian was accompanied by Daniel Forrest of the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL); Cosimo Sgarlata of the ASC; and FOSA President Scott Brady.

This show concentrated on the ways that Native American people adapted to changes in the climate, after the glaciers had receded. Concentration was on both the game (esp. deer) and villages that are found in these sites.

To access this discussion, please click https://icrvradio.com/programs/program/285.

5. July 2, 2019     "The Terminal Archaic and Soapstone Quarries in Connecticut"

For this show, FOSA President Scott Brady filled in for Brian; he was accompanied by Daniel Forrest of the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL); Heather Cruz, Anthropology professor at UConn; Bonnie Plourde of the Barnes Museum; and Marc Banks, of Marc L. Banks, PhD LLC.

During the period under discussion, occupations were focused along major rivers during this period as the environment continued to dry and warm and wetlands that had previously been reliable resources diminished. Subsistence strategies focused on populations living in what archaeologists refer to as base camps. These camps would move seasonally, and usually be located along a major water source while smaller temporary camps would be set up to collect specific resources in a variety of environments. Soapstone was noted as a newly-recognized resource by these people, and a significant part of the discussion centered around this mineral; as were the newly-evolving burial and mortuary practices.

To access this discussion, please click https://icrvradio.com/programs/program/285.

6. August 6, 2019     "The Morgan Site, a Late Woodland Village in Rocky Hill"

For this show, FOSA President Scott Brady filled in for Brian; he was accompanied by Daniel Forrest of the Public Archaeology Laboratory (PAL); Kevin McBride, Associate Professor of Anthropology at UConn, and Lucianne Lavin of the Institute of American Indian Studies (IAIS).

During the period under discussion, which is about 2000 years after the Terminal Archaic period discussed in the July 2 talk, there was an initial brief discussion of the Early and Middle Woodland periods, mainly characterized by exploitation of coastal marine resources. With Later Woodland we find larger populations and an increase in horticurtal activities and riverine exploitations, with less emphasis on marine exploitations as sea-level rises had slowed to permit these. The Contact [with European] period came in the late stages of the Woodland period.

The Morgan Site was initially discovered by June Cooke, whose husband Dave Cooke was head of the Albert Morgan Archaeological Society. They invited panelist Lucianne Lavin to participate in the excavation of the site, which primarily lasted from 1985-1990. In a 35' x 60' excavation area, they found literally thousands of artifacts, as well as postmolds and about 14K pottery fragments, representing several years' activity in this floodplain site. Analysis suggested increases in population abetted by a predictable food supply, but also a less healthy population as compared to those whose life was less sedentary, and in increase in warfare particularly between sedentary and non-sedentay populaces. Carbon-14 dating analyses of artifacts at this site were dated from about 1065-1360 AD.

Note: Another site, located "across the river" from the Morgan Site, is the Hollister Site, an important site which is extensively mentioned in this website. Access the Google Search page on this website, input Hollister into the text area, and click the "FOSA" icon.

For additional information on the Morgan Site, please click https://diggingintothepast.org/morgan/.

To access this discussion, please click https://icrvradio.com/programs/program/285.