Renovating a historic home
The Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum in western Pennsylvania is getting a lot of attention this week, as it reopens the archaeological site of a 16,000-year-old human habitation. It had been closed to the public for a year for renovations.The idea of renovating a dwelling after 16,000 years is intriguing. They could have called in a television team consisting of the guys from This Old House, that Extreme Makeover crew and those cavemen from the insurance commercials.
Radioactive carbon testing in 1974 of remnants of burned firewood determined the age of the domicile, making it probably the oldest known human habitation in North America. A good renovation project would replace that fireplace with a gas grille. And a stone-age homeowner might be pleased that granite is all the rage for kitchen counters.
The archaeologists found signs that the folks living there had been cooking venison, and eating shellfish from the Ohio River. The original occupants probably didn't feel the need for renovations. They never had problems with plumbing, heating or other such extravagances. It was Pleistocene Time, and the living was easy. The recent renovations, funded by a $2 million state grant, added a shelter and a stairway, so visitors can get a better look at the ancient residence, and observe the archaeologists in their natural environment.
A local farmer named Albert Miller first came upon the site on a bluff of rock in the 1950s, finding a flint knife and other evidence of human activity. In 1969, Miller's family established the Meadowcroft Foundation. In 1973, he showed his discovery to James Adovasio, an archaeologist (then of University of Pittsburgh, now of Mercyhurst College in Erie,) and the digging commenced. Stairs to the spot were built in 2003, and public tours began.
Advertisement
The Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life was formed, and one thing led to another, as happens at such places. Now there is a nearby recreated 19th century village with log cabins, a blacksmith shop, a covered bridge, and nice ladies in costume teaching people to make apple butter.
An authentic 17th century Indian village is under development. Can an amusement park be far off?Since 1993, the whole enterprise has been run by the Sen. John Heinz History Center, a history museum in downtown Pittsburgh.
That institution includes an H. J. Heinz Co. exhibit where you can learn how old-time pickle packers packed pickles, using a wooden spoon. There is also a sports museum, where you can gaze upon Franco Harris's shoes, Mario Lemieux's skates and Arnold Palmer's golf bag. Meanwhile, back at the 16,000-year-old homestead, they've scheduled an Atlati Weekend for June 21 and 22. An atlati is a prehistoric spear-throwing device.
Be prepared to duck. A July 4 celebration is also planned. It will be fascinating to learn how prehistoric people observed the holiday. For the serious-minded, Dr. Adovasio will lead tours on July 19, Sept. 13 and Nov. 11. Reservations are required. Try meadowcroft.pghhistory.org.
http://www.southjerseylocalnews.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Weekly?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_wk_article&r21.pgpath=%2FSJL%2FOpinion%2FPlain+Dealer&r21.content=%2FSJL%2FOpinion%2FPlain+Dealer%2FContentTab_Feature_2055417
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road