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| Meadowcroft PreHistory     Left to Right: Doug Wood demonstrates crayfish poisoning with black walnuts. Aaron Bosnick spears a shell cracker (freshwater drum) with a deer scapula spear. Ed Robey helps children feel a drum's pharyngeal teeth that crack mussel shells. Dianne Anestis feeds the entire Monongahela village from her prehistoric range (rock pit oven and stick grill). American Indian Weekend at Meadowcroft Rockshelter near Avella, PA is a must-do for lovers of pre-history. This is a World Heritage Site, perhaps the oldest proven (to date) human occupied site in eastern North America. Many top-notch living history interpreters collaborate with the research staff at the site to incorporate research findings into the living history presentations. Trails Inc. interpreters and others helped round out the living history presentations at the replica Monongahela Culture palisaded village by constructing and demonstrating a cooking pit and roasting rack. Snapping turtle, rattlesnake, deer, a variety of fishes, crayfish, rabbits, fowl, chestnuts, crabapples, corn, mushrooms, pumpkins, and other items were cooked to show the potential abundance of a late summer feast. Various fishing techniques were demonstrated in Cross Creek, located below the rock shelter. Check out our photos of the 2011 event for an idea of what types of activities you will see at the 2012 event. We hope you can join us at this event or some of our other scheduled events this year. Stay connected to history through living history events! ---Doug Wood. |
