Duck Creek Hundred in Woodland Beach in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
In This Place...
5000 - 500 Years Ago
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 20, 2024
1. In This Place... Marker
Woodland Periods of Habitation on Delmarva [unreadable] BC - 1600 AD
Native people were expert fishers and [unreadable] of the estuary shaped the rhythms [unreadable] lives. They moved [unreadable] tap runs of spawning sturgeon, shad and [unreadable] oysters and crabs. The image above illustrates fishing tools and techniques used by native people along the Delaware during these times.
Signs of Native Peoples
Artifacts from native activities were discovered during archaeological surveys of the new Center site. The arrowhead at left (dated 2000 - 5000 years ago) was found near the building site grounds. Fire-cracked rocks (right) were also uncovered, reflective of early native camp fires.
Resourceful Use of Resources
The painting at right portrays a native camp in the Woodland Period. During these times, natives developed several new and better tools for utilizing the natural resources available.
This included: use of special hooks, nets and spears for fishing, adoption of the bow and arrow for hunting, fabrication of grinding stones for processing plants; and refinement of pottery, cooking and food storage materials.
The Native Way: "Water is Life"
Native people use the words [unreadable]
this page online
The image at right, taken from a page of the engaging Children's book on Lenape lifeways, "When the Shadbush Blooms" reflects that natural world connection and ethic.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 39° 19.815′ N, 75° 31.36′ W. Marker is unreadable. Marker is in Woodland Beach, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Duck Creek Hundred. It can be reached from Lighthouse Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2520 Lighthouse Rd, Smyrna DE 19977, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A different marker also named In This Place... (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named In This Place... (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named In This Place... (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named In This Place... (within shouting distance of this marker); In This Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Just Up the Road...
Photographed by Pete Skillman, May 20, 2024
2. In This Place... Marker wide view
Additional commentary.
1. Damage
The marker has significant sun damage, with some parts appearing to have been removed. I have transcribed it as completely as I was able.
— Submitted May 22, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. This page has been viewed 376 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware.
