The Lewis Henry Morgan Chapter summer dig will take place at the Tram site August 10-11 and August 17-18. The Morgan Chapter has investigated the site since 2017. The Tram Site (Hne 6-4) was a large, palisaded Seneca Iroquois village of an estimated 800 to 1000 persons who resided there from about A.D. 1580 to 1595. Traces of the palisade enclosure (i.e., oval ditch and embankments) still remained when a Smithsonian survey of the site was undertaken by Ephraim Squier around 1850, but these have now all but disappeared. Although we know a great deal about the material culture of these people through excavations that have taken place at the site over the last 160+ years, the extent of the village and the size and distribution of the residential structures in it remain open to question. There is slight evidence that the palisade may have been repositioned—either to expand or contract the size of the village, at some point in its history. Last season we found a series of postmolds in two units that may be the palisade or a longhouse. We will work on identifying the nature of these features which may help clarify the extent of the village.
There is a $20 registration fee to participate in this excavation. All registrations must be received by Friday, August 2nd
To register for this event:
- You must be a member of the Morgan Chapter. Memberships are available to anyone 12-years of age or older. To become a member or renew your membership, obtain a membership form at our website (http://www.morganchapter.org/membership.html).
- Send an email to LHMChapter@gmail.com confirming the dates you will participate so we can begin planning our teams. New members should also include a copy of their membership form.
- Checks or electronic payments should be made out to Lewis H. Morgan Chapter, NYSAA and be sent Lori Hunt, 2 Ryder Cup Cir, Pittsford NY 14534. Payment should include the dig registration fee and Membership fee (for new/renewing members).
Membership dues and registration fees will be used toward insurance, field supplies, and the all-important port-a-potty. Please note, lunches will not be provided this year; the Morgan Chapter will provide bottled water and a healthy afternoon snack.
All questions about registration, membership status, or the event should be sent to the LHMChapter@gmail.com.