The GDSTEM (Groton-Dunstable Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics)
is pleased to be sponsoring the following evening of science.
Uncovering Ancient History - A Case Study of One Local Site
Martin Dudek, John Milner Associates
2 October 2008,
Middle School North Team Meeting Room, Groton MA
Refreshments at 6:30pm, presentation 7:00-9:00pm
What does it mean to do archaeology in Massachusetts and why is it done?
We live in the midst of 12,000 years of human history, most of which can
not be studied from historic records. Most archeological work conducted
in New England is not done by universities, but by businesses that are
contracted by developers in accord with legal permitting requirements.
Professional archeologists are hired to determine whether important
archeological sites will be damaged or destroyed by a project. Sometimes
important archeological sites can be avoided; but if they can't, we get to
dig and learn some important information about past peoples, one site at a
time.
Martin will discuss recent archeological work in Concord Massachusetts on
an ancient Native American site that included some curious discoveries,
including chipped stone tools, tool-making areas, and burned animal bone
dating back several thousand years.
The talk is aimed at high school and advanced middle school students, and
is free and open to the public. Martin will also mention career
opportunities and career paths in his field, and there will be time for
open discussion.
Martin Dudek is Principal Archeologist/Project Manager for John Milner
Associates, Inc. in Littleton, MA. Martin and has twenty-six years of
professional experience in North American archeology. He received his BA
in Anthropology from University of Maryland and an MA in Anthropology from
Brandeis University. Martin has field experience at ancient cities in
Mexico, a Paleoindian site in California, ethno-archeological work in
Honduras, and coastal surveys in Alaska. Over the last sixteen years
Martin has participated in numerous archeological surveys and excavations
in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He served as data manager and
laboratory supervisor for several of the most significant of the
archeological projects conducted for the Central Artery/Tunnel. He has
authored or co-authored over sixty archeological reports for New England
and directed excavations at Native American sites in New England spanning
every time period from 12,000 years ago through the seventeenth century
and at historic American sites covering the seventeenth century through
the early twentieth century.
***********************************************
