• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

CHAPTER 5 Archaeological and Historic Resources he Mohawk Trail area is steeped in regional and local his tory. Native Americans occupied the area since the re treat of the last glacial ice sheets approximately 12,000 years ago. The Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway follows the Teast-west route used for approximately 10,000 to 12,000 years by the Native Americans to hunt, trade, and conduct war campaigns between the Hudson River and Connecticut River Valleys. In subsequent years, the European settlers used the trail for the same purposes, and eventu- ally upgraded it to support the use of horse and cart. As the automo- bile increased in popularity the road was improved to better serve its use. The existing road, though officially opened as a modern highway in 1914, has only been maintained as a year round highway since the State assumed winter upkeep in the mid 1930’s. Prior to that time the road was shoveled by hand and often remained closed for long periods of time during inclement weather. The history of the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway region is a signifi- cant component of the corridor management plan. The region’s his- tory plays an important role in understanding the unique resources of the area and preserving these assets for future residents and visitors. This chapter of the report provides insight into the development of the area prior to, during and after the construction of the Byway. This in- formation is intended to help to tell the story of the Byway. The residents of the area during the Archaeological Paleo-Indian Period were hunters of Resources larger game such as caribou, using weap- ons mounted with a fluted spearpoint. Native American Only a few artifacts of this era have been found due to the wide distribution of Use of Area people. There are only four known sites Post-glacial effects, which produced the for this period in Western Massachu- agriculturally productive floodplain areas setts. The closest one to the Byway is of the Connecticut and Hudson River located in Deerfield. Most of the early Valleys, are also responsible for the more sites are located in lowland regions along spartan or severe conditions of the up- rivers and floodplains where food lands that lie between them. Beginning sources were close at hand. Evidence of approximately 12,000 years ago the ice the upland sites from this period are few retreated, leaving immediately behind it a due to the more limited resources of the vista reminiscent of today’s tundra condi- areas at this time; however, travel tions, including low shrubs. The result through the area was probable. was an area utilized by widely distributed, More productive soils evolved natu- thinly dispersed, and highly mobile rally, and allowed for an increase in the groups of hunter/gatherers. This period is number and diversity of the flora and classified as Paleo-Indian and lasted from fauna of the region. From the dominant, 12,000 to around 9,000 years ago. boreal type forest with little diversity, the 64 MOHAWK TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY landscape gradually took the shape of a period, is seen more toward the end of the more mature temperate forest with an in- Late Archaic and is also considered to creasing preponderance of nut producing predominate the other two. With its in- trees including oak, chestnut, and beech, troduction, the beginnings of a horticul- providing food for many species of wild- tural society emerge. All three cultures life including deer, bear, squirrels, etc. The are found in the region, however the more diverse herbaceous level increased Susquehanna was very common in the the foraging prospects for both animals Mahican-Mohawk Trail area. and humans. These changes initiated the Many prehistoric sites have been expansion of foraging societies into the documented along the Byway, though upland areas. The number of prehistoric not all have complete information. Ar- sites increased proportionately in re- tifacts for several of the sites have been sponse to the greater availability of food lost and/or the period of occupation is resources. not known. In order to protect the The period from 9,000 to 7,000 years sites, only general descriptions and lo- ago, the Early Archaic, is typified by a cations are included in this report. dramatic increase in the production of There are four prehistoric sites located nut bearing trees, with oak production in Shelburne. One of the sites has been tripling to about 30 percent over the dated to the Early Woodland period, previous period. The larger rivers sup- around 2,500 years ago. This site pro- ported a variety of fish and other duced several quartzite flakes (used to aquatic species that were important make other tools) and 1 quartzite core food sources, particularly shad, which from which flakes had been struck. predictably ascend the river each spring. Also recovered from this site were 11 The Middle Archaic lasted from about grit-tempered potsherds (pottery frag- 7,000 to 5,000 years ago, with the area ments) and 5 fire-cracked rocks, indi- following the general trend found in cating a prolonged habitation during Southern New England as to the num- this period. Another site, located in a ber of prehistoric sites found. rock-shelter, produced both quartzite The most sites have been found from and quartz flakes. Two other sites do the Late Archaic period of 6,000 to 3,000 not have the artifacts recorded years ago. The number of artifact styles (Mulholland). associated with this period increases and There are seven sites in Charlemont, is complicated by the fact that there were including one that served as a second- three distinct cultural traditions present ary, stone-tool production and mainte- (Laurentian, Small Stem, and Susque– nance site. Artifacts found at this site hanna) during that time. The types of ar- include 3 each of siltstone and quartzite tifacts differentiate these cultural flakes, and one each of chalcedony and traditions as well as the socio-cultural tra- quartz flakes, as well as 10 fire-cracked ditions. It is thought that the Laurentian rocks. Another site produced a projec- cultural traditions may represent a spe- tile point but no style was recorded. cialized adaptation by small, mobile bands Four other sites are documented with to exploit the interior resources without artifacts not reported or lost. The last semiannual relocations for food sources. site is “The Mohawk Trail”, placed on The Small Stem cultural traditions, which the National Register of Historic Places may have been handed down from the in 1972. It is a significant trail noted as a Middle Archaic, most likely exploited re- pathway connecting the Hudson and sources on a more seasonal basis by sum- Connecticut River Valleys. mering near the coast and wintering in Crossing into the Berkshire Segment the interior. The Susquehanna cultural in Florida, three more sites are cata- tradition, also considered a transitional logued. While the date of occupation for CHAPTER 5: Archaeological and Historic Resources 65 these sites is not known, the artifacts communities along the Byway, and from one of the sites are stored at a identifies important locations and nearby museum. Another of the sites has properties within these towns. Tables already been destroyed. North Adams with the significant historic areas and contains another three sites, the first lo- properties in each town are included in cated near the ‘hairpin’ turn (actually in the appendices. Clarksburg). No date of occupation is Properties listed in this chapter and given for this site, however four projectile the appendix will be designated ac- points were discovered. Another site, cording to the definitions in the State near the location of Fort Massachusetts, Register of Historic Places 2001, was determined to be occupied some which are defined as follows: 3,000 years ago. Artifacts included a NRIND: National Register of Individual Wayland Notch projectile point. The last Property site is actually south of Blackinton and NRDIS: National Register District produced one vein quartz flake. The date NRMRA: National Register Multiple of the occupation is unknown. Resource Area (Refers to a community- There are four sites located in the wide or area-wide designation that in- town of Williamstown. One site reports cludes nomination of both individual artifacts found as “many indian relics”. and district properties.) Another site produced several flakes of grey chert, the residue of stone tool making. No date of occupation is known for either site. The other two sites both Franklin County produced Susquehanna Broad projectile points made from chert and both are Greenfield dated to around 3,500 years ago. The Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway be- These prehistoric sites along the By- gins or ends, depending on travel di- way, represent a significant historical rection, at the rotary located at the segment. Many of the known sites have intersections of Route 2, Route 2A not yet been fully examined; therefore and Interstate 91 in Greenfield. His- the possibility remains for more exten- torically, the town of Greenfield has sive results. Also, as the Byway was the played an important role as a regional connecting crossroad for several differ- economic center due to its location at ent cultures, further exploration may the junction between Northampton provide additional information concern- and Vermont, the Berkshires and Bos- ing their interactions. This is a significant ton. This role has meant that the part of the history of the Byway. It in- events of Greenfield’s history are cludes more than 10,000 years, and strongly reflective of the development should be protected as such. occurring throughout the Byway. Be- cause the early history of Greenfield History of the Communities reflects the Mohawk Trail’s history it is along the Scenic Byway: important to understand this history.

Load more

  36

Copy Link