10 Greenport & Southold Indian Museum
Development of Greenport Village
Archeoastronomy in the Ancient World
by Mary Lares
The Indian Museum in Southold New York has an extensive collection of local artifacts. Their collection is also home to photographs of some of the most famous examples of archaeoastronomy found in the world today. Archaeoastronomy is the study of astronomical knowledge in prehistoric cultures. These cultures were able to take their understanding of the heavens and build structures that have a variety of uses. These structures can be found anywhere from Europe to Africa to North America. The structures would be used to extrapolate calendar years, astronomical alignment, or even navigational uses.
In this museum there was focus on both the American Northeast as well as historical global examples. The global examples that they had pictures and records of the Goblekli Tepe in modern day Turkey, the Nabta Playa in modern-day Egypt, the Newgrange in the Boyne valley of Ireland, Stonehenge in London, and the ancient city of Caral in the Supe Valley of Peru. These sites vary in both their confirmed and suspected uses and dates of origin. Goblekli Tepe found in modern-day Turkey is roughly eleven thousand years old and is thought to be the oldest known find of both a temple and a feast site. They assume this because of the piles of animal carcasses found along with the carvings found along the walls. This site is not a confirmed find though due to the burial and cover-up of the structure. It is also theorized that there was a covering (perhaps a shade of sorts) that encompassed the structure during it’s use. If we could determine what the covering would have been and the structure of it, then there would be a better and more comprehensive understanding of the use and underlying astronomical study that this culture utilized this for. However, as of now, it is only suspected that the Goblekli Tepe was used for a sort of astronomical guide for an alignment that we cannot know yet.
Not every structure found has such uncertainties tied to it as the Goblekli Tepe. For example, Stonehenge is one of the most famous man-made structures in the world. In fact, it is considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. Stonehenge was constructed in a series of stages that had begun around 3,000 B.C. or around 5,000 years ago. It was initially thought to just be a freestanding structure that aligned with the sunrise of the summer solstice and the sunset of the winter solstice. However, in more recent years, it was discovered that this area was also used as a burial ground for those in the community who held the highest of honors such as respected leaders. This area was also likely used for ceremonial gatherings and perhaps religious gatherings and pilgramages. Even if these other uses are still held in question for this site, the astrological use is considered to be one of the best recorded instances of archeoastronomy in history.
This week, our class got to explore the north fork of Long Island, first in Greenport where we enjoyed a history talk outside on the Greenport waterfront. We then made our way down to the Southold Indian Museum. Although rather modest looking, this quaint natural history museum holds a dense and impressive collection of native artifacts such as pottery, projectile points and stone tools. It was in the basement of this hidden gem where I learned about Gungywamp.
Gungywamp is an archaeological site in Groton, CT, near the Thames River. This site is a mysterious complex of stone structures that has intrigued and perplexed archaeologists and historians alike. While similar to colonial stone structures, research has shown that many of the artifacts and structures of this site have paleo and woodland Native American origins as well. Because of this, the history and purpose of this site lends itself to theory.
Perhaps the most convincing of such theories is that Gungywamp was constructed for Native American ceremonial use. The strong evidence of Native American presence is supported by the architecture of the site. There are no tool marks to be found, and the structures bare crack rock construction. Crack rock was a construction method done by heating up rocks and cracking off parts to build and shape. Furthermore, there are astrological alignments in many of the stone chambers at Gungywamp, suggesting that Natives built these structures to include in their cultural and ceremonial use of these natural phenomena. The main chamber at the site features a small window, which happens to be the perfect fit for the light of an equinox. Moreover, there are two standing stone rows at Gungywamp, each concluded to have once contained 29 stones. It seems uncoincidental that this number is also the days of one moon cycle. One of the stones of the South Row features a pecked bird effigy carved into its northern facing side. Native American spiritual traditions often included a large bird that would transport souls into the next life. Archeo-Astronomists revel in these details, and they support the theory of the site's spiritual and ceremonial history.
Besides the usual complications of studying abandoned historical sites, there’s more to why Gungywamp is shrouded in mystery. Colonizers often saw Native spirituality, culture, and practices as witchcraft or pagan. Native Americans were therefore discouraged from speaking about it, and were forced to practice secretively. Because of this, there is practically no information available on Gungywamp and sites akin to such, all due to colonization and fear. Still, the theory and research available on Gungywamp is intriguing and worth exploring to further understand America’s rich Native history.
by Molly Fowler
The water surrounding Greenport Village, Long Island very much shaped the area that is now recognized as being a historic seaport. Located on the northern fork, the Greenport Harbor which we visited is a much deeper harbor than you have in other places, as was shown by the large fishing fleets we saw anchored there. However, it is not as big of a whaling port compared to another dominant Long Island location such as Sag Harbor. In many ways, it can be argued that Greenport “comes of age” as a result of whaling, as hundreds of men from Long Island went out to sea in the 19th century as whalers. Even so, thousands more were employed in supporting industries such as ship building. This is noteworthy as whaling was the seventh largest industry in the United States, in addition to being the fourth largest in New York State, with ship building not far behind in importance.
Coinciding with the heyday of whaling, being noted as ranging between the years 1820-1840, was the growth and expansion of the fishing industry. This was a period marked by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration in New York City, less than two hundred miles away from Greenport. These immigrants, who typically worked within the factories, ate crops which were grown in Long Island towns such as Greenport as it was an area which was heavily agricultural. George Washington even went on a presidential trip to Long Island at the end of the 18th Century which was very laid-back to engage in very general chats with citizens, particularly farmers, as he was a farmer himself. The trip was considered to be a “victory lap” as the revolutionaries won the American Revolutionary War.
One thing which was noted by Washington himself was the poor quality of the soil. To remedy this situation, an unusual business transaction began to transpire between New York City and Long Island towns, including Greenport. In 1840, there were 300,000 horses in the city that were classified as being ‘public horses’. The large amount of manure that was produced by these horses began to be imported to towns across Long Island while New York City paid towns for accepting the waste. This was beneficial to both parties as it provided a natural fertilizer to towns which had poor soil quality, increasing the amount of agricultural production, while exporting a large amount of waste from the city, creating a healthier environment for city residents. Aside from the growing of crops, Greenport was also well known for being a ship building center since it was a very convenient location to launch ships from, in addition to being home to a number of fisheries. Both of these endeavors were very profitable for the village.
All information from this post was gathered from Dr. Tara Rider’s lecture.
Prohibition in Greenport
Prohibition started in the 1920s, which banned the transportation, creation, and sale of
alcohol. During the 1920s, Greenport had become more urbanized. Urban areas are usually
more wet, meaning they consume alcohol. This is due to the increase in immigrants in this area,
as immigrants have many different cultural ideas surrounding alcohol. Many cultures celebrate
using alcohol, so the idea of prohibition was popularized by Americans. Due to Greenport's
location on the water, it provided a large area for illegal alcohol consumption.
Its location on the Atlantic Ocean allowed for Greenport to have many speakeasies
along the water. So people smuggling in alcohol were able to bring their boats right into
Greenport and unload them directly into the speakeasies. These speakeasies also brought
people to Greenport for fun. Many people would travel via the Long Island Railroad just to come
visit the speakeasies in Greenport. Greenport also helped create many jobs for immigrants
through the production and distribution of alcohol. 
The water surrounding Greenport Village, Long Island very much shaped the area that is now recognized as being a historic seaport. Located on the northern fork, the Greenport Harbor which we visited is a much deeper harbor than you have in other places, as was shown by the large fishing fleets we saw anchored there. However, it is not as big of a whaling port compared to another dominant Long Island location such as Sag Harbor. In many ways, it can be argued that Greenport “comes of age” as a result of whaling, as hundreds of men from Long Island went out to sea in the 19th century as whalers. Even so, thousands more were employed in supporting industries such as ship building. This is noteworthy as whaling was the seventh largest industry in the United States, in addition to being the fourth largest in New York State, with ship building not far behind in importance.
 |
Figure 1. An image of Greenport Harbor from
the shoreline. While the large fishing fleet isn’t visible in this photograph,
a smaller fishing vessel is shown when looking over at the right side. To the
left is a decently-sized boardwalk, which numerous people walked down and back
as we listened to Tara’s lecture. |
 |
Figure 2. A painting of Greenport Village (above) being created as we
spent time exploring the grounds and the landscape which it is meant to
represent (below). The brown building is “Tea and Tchotchkes”, a business which
is known for selling local goods and hand crafted artisan pieces. Artist
unknown. |
All information from this post was gathered from Dr. Tara Rider’s lecture.
Prohibition in Greenport
by Abbie Belknap
Prohibition started in the 1920s, which banned the transportation, creation, and sale of
alcohol. During the 1920s, Greenport had become more urbanized. Urban areas are usually
more wet, meaning they consume alcohol. This is due to the increase in immigrants in this area,
as immigrants have many different cultural ideas surrounding alcohol. Many cultures celebrate
using alcohol, so the idea of prohibition was popularized by Americans. Due to Greenport's
location on the water, it provided a large area for illegal alcohol consumption.
Its location on the Atlantic Ocean allowed for Greenport to have many speakeasies
along the water. So people smuggling in alcohol were able to bring their boats right into
Greenport and unload them directly into the speakeasies. These speakeasies also brought
people to Greenport for fun. Many people would travel via the Long Island Railroad just to come
visit the speakeasies in Greenport. Greenport also helped create many jobs for immigrants
through the production and distribution of alcohol.
Pictured here is the port in Greenport, LI. As you can see, the water expands all along
the coast of Greenport. On the left is Claudio's Waterfront Bar and Grill, an old speakeasy. It's a
perfect example of how the water affects a city's history. During prohibition, people would row
their boats directly up to Caldios to the speakeasy. The underground doors are still present and
can be seen today.
The Clovis Culture
The Algonquian Peoples
by Molly Fowler
The Algonquian peoples were one of the most populous native american tribes living in North America, specifically in the northeastern woodlands. Making up a wide variety of tribes, the location of the Algonquians ranged from the frigid mountains of Quebec, Canada to the more temperate climate of Chesapeake Bay, United States. While the various tribes didn’t share many similarities, they did share construction styles of their wigwams and longhouses, agricultural techniques, and languages. As with most tribes from 8,000-5,000 years ago, the Algonquian lived a sedentary lifestyle, increasing their reliance on the fruits of their harvesting labor to supplement their diet. Of course, the tribe still hunted using spears (also known as darts).
Back in the seventeenth century, the first peoples the British encountered when they arrived in North America were the Algonquian. This European contact brought an end to the Woodland stage of Native American history, which lasted from 1000 B.C. to 1600 A.D. The end of this period saw a major development in the widespread use of pottery and agriculture. The increase in agriculture production saw a concurrent increase in the size of settlements, making them more permanent. Nearly all of the villages were located close to tidal bays and streams, with sections of wooded area cleared for small agricultural fields where beans, corn, and squash were grown. This combination of crops were grown together so frequently that they earned the nickname “the three sisters”.
The style of Algonquian dwellings were one of two options: circular wigwams thatched with grass, or rectangular longhouses. Numerous at every settlement were pits which were about six feet in diameter and two/three feet deep. These pits were used primarily for cooking and food storage, but had a tendency to become the location for trash disposal as new pits were built. In terms of pottery, baked clay pottery was increasingly used and decorated with various designs that represented local traditions. Clay pots were also stylized with personal adornments which included bone and shell beads or stone pendants.
All information from this post was gathered from the Southold Indian Museum unless otherwise noted.
All around the world there have been so many different versions of religion and spirituality. There are the religions that we are familiar with today like Christianity, Buddhism, or Islam. But before these religions became the dominant religions of the world, there were religions and beliefs held by the native peoples. The peoples that will be covered briefly in this are the Native American people of North America, specifically the United States. There were many different variations when it came to local beliefs, but many of these religions held many of the same core beliefs.
Many of the beliefs of the Native Americans were centered around the world around them and how it was intertwined with the spiritual world that they believed to be on multiple levels. One of the most common vessels for spirits that the Native Americans would have statues and effigies of were animals. They believed that animals very often were protectors of their villages or were the physical representation of a powerful ruling spirit. One example of this is the ThunderBird that was seen in many Native American tribes’ mythology. It was believed that it was the ruler of the upper spiritual plane. Other animals that would be seen as bringers of provision, protection, etc. were turtles, beavers, or deer/elk. It wasn’t just animals that were believed to have spirits though. Even materials like wood and stone were thought to have spirits and would be given rituals when it came time to retire the tools. This was because they believed in respecting all spirits and creatures in nature. It is very fascinating to see all the sacred objects that were created in honor of the spirits the Native Americans believed to be all around them. So many beautiful works of art and so many beautiful objects and concepts have been derived from their beliefs. Diving deeper into the Native American religions, histories, and mythologies is something that I would encourage anyone to do.
the coast of Greenport. On the left is Claudio's Waterfront Bar and Grill, an old speakeasy. It's a
perfect example of how the water affects a city's history. During prohibition, people would row
their boats directly up to Caldios to the speakeasy. The underground doors are still present and
can be seen today.
by Sydney Hennessy
The Clovis culture is a group of people who migrated into the Americas from Siberia. They were suspected to be the first ever people in the Americas. However, recent findings have shown that there were people migrating into the Americas thousands of years before the Clovis. How? While it was first thought to have been by foot on a connection of land that linked present-day Beringia and Alaska, it is now a more popular suggestion that they actually traveled on a “kelp highway.” The “kelp highway” was a fast-paced current that carried droves of people down the coast, with only kelp as a reliable food source. This photo shows the “kelp highway.”
The Clovis culture was first identified by their projectile points, nicknamed “Clovis Points.” They are very rare to find but are unique to the Clovis cultures. They are fluted at the base and are commonly made with flint, obsidian, jasper, and chalcedony. A clovis point is pictured in the photo above. It was found in Greenport, NY, which I thought was interesting. The Clovis Culture was found throughout the Americas, moving from the west coast all the way to the east coast.
This picture depicts what people may have looked like in the Clovis culture. As you can see, one of the primary food sources was mammoths. The Clovis culture was also able to utilize mammoths in other ways, including using their ribs to make weapons. They were hunted using the clovis points fashioned onto spears. From the picture, you can also see influences of an asian heritage, including the clothing, which was commonly seen amongst the inuits. This was one of the ways we were able to establish where the Clovis culture originated.
This image is the tusk of a mammoth. It is suspected that the pre-Clovis and Clovis cultures followed the mammoths to the Americas during their migration. Mammoths were extremely important to these cultures, so following them became a must. Mammoths actually roamed Long Island around 15,000 years ago. This mammoth tusk, however, was found in Alaska.
The Clovis culture is a group of people who migrated into the Americas from Siberia. They were suspected to be the first ever people in the Americas. However, recent findings have shown that there were people migrating into the Americas thousands of years before the Clovis. How? While it was first thought to have been by foot on a connection of land that linked present-day Beringia and Alaska, it is now a more popular suggestion that they actually traveled on a “kelp highway.” The “kelp highway” was a fast-paced current that carried droves of people down the coast, with only kelp as a reliable food source. This photo shows the “kelp highway.”
The Clovis culture was first identified by their projectile points, nicknamed “Clovis Points.” They are very rare to find but are unique to the Clovis cultures. They are fluted at the base and are commonly made with flint, obsidian, jasper, and chalcedony. A clovis point is pictured in the photo above. It was found in Greenport, NY, which I thought was interesting. The Clovis Culture was found throughout the Americas, moving from the west coast all the way to the east coast.
This picture depicts what people may have looked like in the Clovis culture. As you can see, one of the primary food sources was mammoths. The Clovis culture was also able to utilize mammoths in other ways, including using their ribs to make weapons. They were hunted using the clovis points fashioned onto spears. From the picture, you can also see influences of an asian heritage, including the clothing, which was commonly seen amongst the inuits. This was one of the ways we were able to establish where the Clovis culture originated.
This image is the tusk of a mammoth. It is suspected that the pre-Clovis and Clovis cultures followed the mammoths to the Americas during their migration. Mammoths were extremely important to these cultures, so following them became a must. Mammoths actually roamed Long Island around 15,000 years ago. This mammoth tusk, however, was found in Alaska.
The Algonquian Peoples
by Molly Fowler
The Algonquian peoples were one of the most populous native american tribes living in North America, specifically in the northeastern woodlands. Making up a wide variety of tribes, the location of the Algonquians ranged from the frigid mountains of Quebec, Canada to the more temperate climate of Chesapeake Bay, United States. While the various tribes didn’t share many similarities, they did share construction styles of their wigwams and longhouses, agricultural techniques, and languages. As with most tribes from 8,000-5,000 years ago, the Algonquian lived a sedentary lifestyle, increasing their reliance on the fruits of their harvesting labor to supplement their diet. Of course, the tribe still hunted using spears (also known as darts).
 |
Figure 1. Tecumseh, a Shawnee warrior chief
who led his followers against the United States military during the War of
1812. His death at the Battle of Thames led to the demise of his Native
American confederacy which had the goal of creating an autonomous Native
American state. The Algonquian peoples have tribal identities within the
Shawnee. (Source: https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/tecumseh) |
 |
Figure 2. Long Island Native American
Artifacts, as a part of the George Penny Memorial Collection. The projectile
points, some of which are commonly regarded as arrowheads, are made of quartz.
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Long Island, making up 75% of
the rock. During the Woodland stage, most Algonquian hunting was done with bow
and arrow, with the latter having a triangular, Levanna style point. |
All information from this post was gathered from the Southold Indian Museum unless otherwise noted.
A Brief Look into the Religions of Native Americans
by James Callaghan
Many of the beliefs of the Native Americans were centered around the world around them and how it was intertwined with the spiritual world that they believed to be on multiple levels. One of the most common vessels for spirits that the Native Americans would have statues and effigies of were animals. They believed that animals very often were protectors of their villages or were the physical representation of a powerful ruling spirit. One example of this is the ThunderBird that was seen in many Native American tribes’ mythology. It was believed that it was the ruler of the upper spiritual plane. Other animals that would be seen as bringers of provision, protection, etc. were turtles, beavers, or deer/elk. It wasn’t just animals that were believed to have spirits though. Even materials like wood and stone were thought to have spirits and would be given rituals when it came time to retire the tools. This was because they believed in respecting all spirits and creatures in nature. It is very fascinating to see all the sacred objects that were created in honor of the spirits the Native Americans believed to be all around them. So many beautiful works of art and so many beautiful objects and concepts have been derived from their beliefs. Diving deeper into the Native American religions, histories, and mythologies is something that I would encourage anyone to do.
Archeoastronomy in the Ancient World
by Mary Lares
The Indian Museum in Southold New York has an extensive collection of local artifacts. Their collection is also home to photographs of some of the most famous examples of archaeoastronomy found in the world today. Archaeoastronomy is the study of astronomical knowledge in prehistoric cultures. These cultures were able to take their understanding of the heavens and build structures that have a variety of uses. These structures can be found anywhere from Europe to Africa to North America. The structures would be used to extrapolate calendar years, astronomical alignment, or even navigational uses.
In this museum there was focus on both the American Northeast as well as historical global examples. The global examples that they had pictures and records of the Goblekli Tepe in modern day Turkey, the Nabta Playa in modern-day Egypt, the Newgrange in the Boyne valley of Ireland, Stonehenge in London, and the ancient city of Caral in the Supe Valley of Peru. These sites vary in both their confirmed and suspected uses and dates of origin. Goblekli Tepe found in modern-day Turkey is roughly eleven thousand years old and is thought to be the oldest known find of both a temple and a feast site. They assume this because of the piles of animal carcasses found along with the carvings found along the walls. This site is not a confirmed find though due to the burial and cover-up of the structure. It is also theorized that there was a covering (perhaps a shade of sorts) that encompassed the structure during it’s use. If we could determine what the covering would have been and the structure of it, then there would be a better and more comprehensive understanding of the use and underlying astronomical study that this culture utilized this for. However, as of now, it is only suspected that the Goblekli Tepe was used for a sort of astronomical guide for an alignment that we cannot know yet.
Not every structure found has such uncertainties tied to it as the Goblekli Tepe. For example, Stonehenge is one of the most famous man-made structures in the world. In fact, it is considered one of the greatest wonders of the world. Stonehenge was constructed in a series of stages that had begun around 3,000 B.C. or around 5,000 years ago. It was initially thought to just be a freestanding structure that aligned with the sunrise of the summer solstice and the sunset of the winter solstice. However, in more recent years, it was discovered that this area was also used as a burial ground for those in the community who held the highest of honors such as respected leaders. This area was also likely used for ceremonial gatherings and perhaps religious gatherings and pilgramages. Even if these other uses are still held in question for this site, the astrological use is considered to be one of the best recorded instances of archeoastronomy in history.
Greenport/Southold
by Audrey Calhoun
Gungywamp is an archaeological site in Groton, CT, near the Thames River. This site is a mysterious complex of stone structures that has intrigued and perplexed archaeologists and historians alike. While similar to colonial stone structures, research has shown that many of the artifacts and structures of this site have paleo and woodland Native American origins as well. Because of this, the history and purpose of this site lends itself to theory.
Perhaps the most convincing of such theories is that Gungywamp was constructed for Native American ceremonial use. The strong evidence of Native American presence is supported by the architecture of the site. There are no tool marks to be found, and the structures bare crack rock construction. Crack rock was a construction method done by heating up rocks and cracking off parts to build and shape. Furthermore, there are astrological alignments in many of the stone chambers at Gungywamp, suggesting that Natives built these structures to include in their cultural and ceremonial use of these natural phenomena. The main chamber at the site features a small window, which happens to be the perfect fit for the light of an equinox. Moreover, there are two standing stone rows at Gungywamp, each concluded to have once contained 29 stones. It seems uncoincidental that this number is also the days of one moon cycle. One of the stones of the South Row features a pecked bird effigy carved into its northern facing side. Native American spiritual traditions often included a large bird that would transport souls into the next life. Archeo-Astronomists revel in these details, and they support the theory of the site's spiritual and ceremonial history.
Besides the usual complications of studying abandoned historical sites, there’s more to why Gungywamp is shrouded in mystery. Colonizers often saw Native spirituality, culture, and practices as witchcraft or pagan. Native Americans were therefore discouraged from speaking about it, and were forced to practice secretively. Because of this, there is practically no information available on Gungywamp and sites akin to such, all due to colonization and fear. Still, the theory and research available on Gungywamp is intriguing and worth exploring to further understand America’s rich Native history.
Comments
Post a Comment