PARP, while currently in its infancy, has the goal of compiling all known archaeological data regarding Plymouth and the
entire mainland of the former Plymouth Colony. While we will be focusing on the Colony period (1620-1692), and to this end
we hope to identify all areas of potential archaeological early colonial homesites within Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury and
Marshfield, we are also very interested in Native American and Post-Plymouth Colony sites. As a way of letting people know
we exist and also of getting in touch with people who potentially know of early colonial sites, we want to have a series of
lectures focusing on early Plymouth archaeology and a one day event that would allow the public to bring in artifacts that
they have found in their yards. The goal of this one day event would be to identify and date the artifacts, whether they are
prehistoric, colonial or 19th century, for the people and then register the material in our and the Massachusetts
Historical Commissions databases.
The goals of the Plymouth Archaeological Rediscovery Project:
1) educate the public about the archaeological history of their town through the venue of public lectures
2) educate students and teachers about archaeology and its value through the venue of school curriculum and programs
3) compile all the data relating to each town regarding its Native and 17th century history
4) use the compiled archaeological and historical data to identify patterns of culture regarding settlement, foodways,
trade, Native/ colonial interaction and relations
5) professionally publish and inform the public about the archaeological work done in the towns
6) bring together researchers who share an interest in Native and early colonial Plymouth Colony history
7) take old archaeological collections curated by towns and museums that relate to the geographic area and find funding
to catalog and analyze them
8) promote future archaeological work, particularly of Old Colony sites
PARP wishes to include ideas, comments, critiques and research issues that both professional and avocational archaeologists
working in Southern New England. Any issue that anyone feels is important in understanding the entire past of the area where
the Wampanoag have traditionally lived and where Plymouth Colony once was located, will be used to direct the collection of
archaeological information for the database. Take some time and think about the following question:
What do you consider to be the most important research issues relating to the Native and Colonial history of Southeastern
Massachusetts?
You can forward your responses to plymoutharch@hotmail.com or reply in the guest book on the Contact Us page. Thank you.
