This is the place to find out the latest developments in the AVP. Find out what new archaeological discoveries have been made, and find out how to volunteer for an archaeological investigation.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Farewell Season 2017

 As the 2017 season drew to a close, a buried "A" horizon and a feature with pottery fragments made it clear that we need to return one more year to Canticle Farm...

Laura and Rich record a profile

a large pottery fragment collected the last day



Thank you to all who volunteered and donated to the project to make 2017 such a success! Processing and analyses follow, and we'll keep you posted!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Time has flown by...

We are already in the waning days of Season 2017! Time has passed by so fast, and we have discovered many new things about the site. So much, that we have decided to extend the excavations at Canticle Farm for one more year. This was necessitated by the discovery of a new zone of activity that may represent a different time level within the Ancestral Ohiyoh Haudenosaunee time frame.

Pottery fragment in situ within a suspected pit feature.


A plain rimsherd with faint cordmarking below the lip.


A series of test pits form a "trench" exposing the base of the plow zone. Composite photos like this are taken just before we backfill. We will reopen this trench next season to investigate a possible feature in the far end.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Pipe Stem fragment

Anne-Claire, visiting from France, found a ceramic pipe stem fragment.


State Park Weekend

Taking a break from digging, we visited a few state parks this past weekend...

Ruins at Allegany State Park


Stone Tower, Allegany State Park


The Annual Overlook Photo, Allegany State Park


Letchworth State Park: l-r Marco, Thomas, Clara, Anna, Anne-Claire, Jan, Laura and Laurie


Another Letchworth photo

Monday, July 24, 2017

AVP Fieldwork

We've been working hard in the southwest corner of the field this year, investigating some anomalies we picked up with the gradiometer at the end of last season.

Local volunteer Drake, Rich from Texas, and Jan from the Czech Republic square up a test unit.


Marco from Italy screens for artifacts.


Thomas from Massachusetts trowels in a unit dominated by an abandoned woodchuck den.


Jill from Colorado helps field school student Laura from Washington measure an artifact elevation.


Clara from France goes over paperwork with Sonja from Virginia.


Anne-Claire from France looks for artifacts in the screen.


Laura helps Anna from Spain break up roots at the screen.


Local volunteer Carol takes care of paperwork for one of the digging crews.

We have room for more volunteers, of all ages and abilities. Come on down to see what it's like to be an archaeologist!

Saturday, July 22, 2017

It takes a village...

... to investigate a village! Some surprising features are showing up in the southeast corner of the field. Come on down to see what's coming up!

Monday, July 10, 2017

FS2017

Field Season 2017 is upon us! If you're in the area, stop in and say hi. Volunteers and visitors are always welcome, no experience necessary. Email avp.archaeology@gmail.com for more information.

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Monday, April 24, 2017

International Volunteers

The AVP welcomes international volunteers through Volunteers for Peace, a non-profit volunteer placement group. VFP volunteers must pay their travel expenses to and from Allegany, NY, but while here, food and lodging are covered by volunteer contributions and a VFP fee. This year we will host up to 6 VFP volunteers for two weeks (15 July to 29 July). VFP partners with local volunteer organizations in each country, to make it easier to apply. For more information, you can visit www.vfp.org. Our project code is VFP-STV05-17.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Spring 2017 Newsletter

The Spring 2017 Newsletter has been sent out electronically (for most) and in the mail (for some). It is free both ways, so if you'd like to be sent a copy, contact Steve at avp.archaeology@gmail.com and ask to receive the newsletter. If you are already on the list and haven't received it, check your spam box, as some servers will block bulk e-mailings.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

SUNY JCC/ AVP Summer 2017 Field School Information

The summer field school for 2017 will run from July 10 to August 17. Tuition (current as of this post) is $579 for NY residents with a certificate of residence, and $1158 for non-residents. Additional JCC fees of $73.50 apply to both. You can find the registration form and certificate of residence form here:
http://www.sunyjcc.edu/credit-course-schedules/pdf/JCCsummer2017registrationpages.pdf
Mail-in registration runs from now until July 5. Email Steve at avp.archaeology@gmail.com or Shannon at shannonbessette@mail.sunyjcc.edu for additional information.