Unearthing our Past: The Archaeology of Kingston, NY

As far back as 12,000 years ago, Native American tribes thrived here in Ulster County – and thanks to ongoing archeological digs, we are still learning about their lives. Guiding college students through these important excavations is SUNY New Paltz professor Joseph E. Diamond, Ph.D., who will deliver a lecture on their findings for The Ulster County Historical Society.
Professor Diamond will present an overview of local archaeological sites that have been investigated within the city of Kingston since the early 20th century, followed by a discussion of the most significant sites and what they tell us about the earliest native settlers to this area. He will review evidence gleaned from these sites that document Native American occupation beginning as early as 12,000 years ago and lasting until contact with the Dutch in 1609. He will also discuss unearthed Colonial-era Dutch and English materials – and later industrial materials from the 19th century. Prof. Diamond will point out Native American artifacts currently on display at the Bevier House Museum from the Ulster County Historical Society Society’s permanent collection.
Joseph E. Diamond is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at SUNY New Paltz. He holds an MA from New York University, and a Ph.D. from SUNY Albany. Prof. Diamond’s area of focus includes historic and prehistoric archaeology, prehistoric ceramic analysis, historic glass and ceramic analysis. Peer-reviewed articles have appeared in the New York State Archaeological Association Bulletin, The North American Archaeologist, Archaeology of Eastern North America, Northeast Anthropology, Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology, Current Research in the Pleistocene, Northeast Historical Archaeology and a recent piece on the Late Prehistoric Period in New York State by the New York State Museum.

$5 for UCHS members and $10 for non-members