Native Americans in Lancaster County

Native Americans in Lancaster County. . Native Americans flourished in the Lancaster County area for thousands of years, long before any European set foot in North America. Though these vast and ancient civilizations have faded from the eye of history, we can still learn much of how Native Americans lived through archaeological discovery. The Park Site (36La96), where you are currently standing, is an ideal example of Native American archaeology. Twelve men, women, and children are buried at this site, which was discovered in 1979 by construction workers laying a water line. Through careful excavation and study, archaeologists found that these graves were dug in the early 1700s. Though it is extremely difficult to determine from which tribe these Native Americans descended, the recovered archaeological material suggests that they were of the Susquehannock or Conestoga tribe. The cause of their deaths is unknown. After the dig was completed, the remains of the Native Americans were returned to their resting places., The Native American tribes of Lancaster County led fascinating lives. The primary tribe of this area was the Iroquoian-speaking Susquehannock tribe. The lives of the Susquehannock revolved around the rivers and streams of Pennsylvania. These master fur traders and fierce warriors dominated the waterways, traveling in dugout canoes and utilizing an extensive system of footpaths. One of these paths traverses the south side of Golf Road. The path marker is located across the road, directly behind you., Susquehannock Towns , The Susquehannock lived in large fortified towns, housing up to 3000 people. Their primary residences were longhouses. To learn more about these structures, visit the Hans Herr House (also known as the 1719 Museum) in Willow Street, PA. where a life-size replica of a longhouse is located. Fields of com, beans, and squash, also known as the Three Sisters surrounded these towns, and were cultivated and harvested by the women and children. While Susquehannock men were responsible for hunting, fishing, and warfare, the Susquehannock tribe placed much emphasis on women, Families would trace their lineage through their female ancestors, and each longhouse in a town was overseen by a matriarchal figure, such as a grandmother., Susquehannock Appearance, When settlers and pioneers first met the Susquehannock tribe, they were amazed not just by their way of life, but also by their appearance and language. Captain John Smith, the famous English explorer, was one of the first Europeans to encounter the Susquehannock. The following is an excerpt from his journal describing the appearance, dress, and language of the Susquehannock tribe: "Sixty of those Saquesahannocks came to us with Skins, Bowès, Arrows, Targets, Beads, Swords, and Tobacco-pipes for presents. Such great and well-proportioned men are seldom seene, for they seemed like Giants to the English yea and to the neighbors, yet seemd of an honest and simple disposition, with much ado restrained from adoring us as Gods. Those are the strangest people of all those Countries, both in language and attire; for their language it may well beseeme their proportions, sounding from them as a voyce in a vault. Their attire is the skinnes of Beares, and Woolves, some have Cassacks made of Beares heads and skinnes, that a man's head goes through the skinnes neck, and the eares of the Beare fastened to his shoulders, the nose and teeth hanging downe his breast, another Beares face split behind him...with Bowes. Arrows and Clubs, suitable to their greatnesse.", (captions), Left: A Susquehannock warrior, armed with a bow and arrows. The Susquehannock men who met with Captain John Smith were said to look much like this. , Right: A typical Susquehannock town. Note the longhouses and carefully cultivated fields. The Susquehannock tribe dwelled in the Lancaster area for roughly 150 years. , Above images courtesy of Susquehanna National Heritage Area. , Left: An overview of the Park Site (36La96) dig. F.1-F1.1 signify where the Native Americans are buried, except for F.4, which was a tree stump. Overview Credit: Site Plan: Pennsylvania Archaeologist, Vol. 52, No. 3-4, Right: An image of the Park Site dig, 1979. Image Credit: Site Photo; Courtesy of Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation.