Reports from the Fields

Lucy Johnson, Vassar College

VASSAR COLLEGE ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SCHOOL, FALL 2006Director: Dr. Lucy Johnson

The Gardner Triangle, showing the location of the Trapps Bridge, where the Upper Trapps Bridge is located. Note that this is the only pass through the Shawangunk Ridge in this area, is used by Routes 44/55 today, and was used by prehistoric people as well.

Our excavations this fall are designed to investigate the prehistoric presence in the shelter. We anticipate that it was used by people crossing the ridge throughout prehistory as a resting spot along the trail: whether coming from the West or the East, this was the highest point to cross and would have been an attractive place to stay. Reports on our season will be posted here every Monday throughout the season so that you can follow the progress of our research.

The Trapps Gap from the East

Looking north from the Trapps Gap along the Shawangagunk Ridge. Note the precipitous cliffs, which also continue to the south, making the traps a natural path through the ridge.

The Trapps Gap from the West. Note in the upper right the parking lot visible on the last picture, and the Trapps Bridge crossing Rt 44/55. The Upper Trapps Shelter is at the base of the small cliff to the left of the bridge.

Our work is facilitated by the

Mohonk Preserve Research Center:

Robbie Josephson, Volunteer Registrar

Shannon Smiley, Research/Curatorial Asst.

Paul Huth, Director of Research

Paul Huth and Shannon Smiley in the Fox Hollow Shelter, which we visited on Saturday in order to compare it to the Trapps Shelter.

Upper Trapps Gap ShelterNote the large roof block on the floor which may be protecting early prehistoric remains, and the apron in front where people would have

worked on nice days

Anthropology 231 class at the Trapps Shelter on Saturday, September 2, 2006. From left: Johanna Batman, Brian Paul, Steve Cowan, Shane Ausprey, Tiera Rainey, Jake Raymond, Rachel Silton, Leah Weissburg, Yvonne Yeung, Shana Voleskey.