Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts: Archaeology and Geophysics

FAIN: RZ-230461-15

University of Massachusetts, Boston (Boston, MA 02125-3300)
David Landon (Project Director: December 2014 to present)

Excavation, analysis, and interpretation of new sites and existing artifacts in collections in connection with the original 17th-century settlement of Plymouth, Massachusetts. (36 months)

This project is for collaborative research focused on the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. It comprises three years of geophysical survey, pollen coring, archaeological excavation, and laboratory analysis focused on the original 17th-century settlement in downtown Plymouth and surrounding sites. This work will increase our understanding of the creation of the English colonial landscape, the environmental context and ecological consequences of colonization, and the interactions between Colonists and Native people. The Plymouth Colony will be the subject of intense public attention in the lead up to the 400th anniversary of the Colony in 2020. This NEH project will be the linchpin for building an academic understanding of the Plymouth settlement and portraying its importance to the broader public.

Media Coverage

UMass Boston Researchers Receive NEH Grant (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Office of Communications
Publication: UMass Boston press release
Date: 11/25/2015
Abstract: A University of Massachusetts Boston press release announcing the NEH grant.
URL: https://www.umb.edu/news/detail/umass_boston_researchers_receive_200k_neh_grant_for_archaeological_study_of

The real roots of Thanksgiving: Rethinking what happened 400 years ago at the first feast in Plymouth (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Joey Garrison
Publication: USA Today
Date: 11/26/2019
URL: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/11/26/native-americans-dominated-first-thanksgiving-feast-plymouth/4248526002/?fbclid=IwAR0_x5ON74mMR7QcDatoyedg84rEBTz1lEODgRp-9TzO0GjFDc2O9D9eqBM

Associated Products

UMass Boston’s Plymouth Archaeology Project (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: UMass Boston’s Plymouth Archaeology Project
Abstract: Please join us for an overview of the planned work for the University of Massachusetts Boston’s archaeological and geophysical investigations in the Town of Plymouth. This work is being sponsored by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and is designed to learn more about the history and archaeology of the Town as part of the lead up to 2020. Proposed work for 2016–2018 will be described followed by a question and answer session for the audience.
Author: David B. Landon
Date: 11/10/2015
Location: Plymouth Public Library, Fehlow Room, Main Library 132 South Street, Plymouth, MA
Primary URL: http://blogs.umb.edu/fiskecenter/2015/10/30/public-presentation-umass-bostons-plymouth-archaeology-project/
Primary URL Description: Fiske Center Blog

Project 400, 2015 Fieldwork on Burial Hill, Plymouth, MA (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Project 400, 2015 Fieldwork on Burial Hill, Plymouth, MA
Abstract: On Monday,November 16, 2015 at noon in McCormack, first floor, room 503 Drs. David Landon and Christa Beranek will talk about Project 400: 2015 Fieldwork on Burial Hill, Plymouth, MA. Please join us and feel free to bring your lunch.
Author: Christa Beranek
Author: David B. Landon
Date: 11/23/2015
Location: UMass Boston
Primary URL: http://blogs.umb.edu/fiskecenter/2015/11/10/brown-bag-series-project-400-2015-fieldwork-on-burial-hill-plymouth-ma/
Primary URL Description: Fiske Center Blog

Porject 400: Plymouth Colony Archeological Survey (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Porject 400: Plymouth Colony Archeological Survey
Abstract: An overview of the Plymouth archaeology project presented to the Massachusetts 400 Forum, a planning group for a broad initiative to expand the 400th anniversary in Plymouth to a broader series of events marking the 400th anniversaries of Quincy, Salem, Boston and other Town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Provided an overview of the potential value of archaeology to the Plymouth 400, in terms of opportunities for research, education, and heritage tourism.
Author: David B. Landon
Date: 03/30/2016
Location: Plymouth, MA
Primary URL: http://www.plymouth400inc.org/MA400Forum
Primary URL Description: Massachusetts 400 forum website

Project 400: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Project 400: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey
Abstract: An overview presentation on the goals and accomplishments to date of the Plymouth Archaeological Project. This was for the Plymouth UK visiting delegation engaged in planning cross-Atlantic projects between Plymouth UK and Plymouth MA as part of the 400th anniversary celebration in 2020.
Author: David B. Landon
Date: 04/16/2016
Location: Plymouth 400 Inc event, Plymouth, MA

Revisiting the Archaeology of the Pilgrims: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey (Article)
Title: Revisiting the Archaeology of the Pilgrims: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey
Author: David Landon
Author: Christa Beranel
Abstract: An overview of the research design and project goals for the Plymouth Colony archaeology and geophysics project.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: https://www.themayflowersociety.org/our-publications
Primary URL Description: Mayflower Journal Website
Access Model: Subscription
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Mayflower Journal 1(1):13-40.
Publisher: General Society of Mayflower Descendants

Update from the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research (Article)
Title: Update from the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research
Author: Christa Beranek
Author: David Landon
Abstract: A letter update on the discovery of the first artifacts and features from the original Plymouth Colony settlement.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://www.themayflowersociety.org/our-publications
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Mayflower Journal 2(1): 88-89
Publisher: General Society of Mayflower Descendants

Flakes, Flasks, and Furnace Slag: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey (Exhibition)
Title: Flakes, Flasks, and Furnace Slag: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey
Curator: David Landon
Curator: Christa Beranek
Abstract: Flakes, Flasks, and Furnace Slag: The Plymouth colony Archaeological Survey. Artifact exhibit installed in the Plymouth Town 1749 Courthouse.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: https://www.facebook.com/1749CourtHouseMuseum/

A Pilgrim Discovery. (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: A Pilgrim Discovery.
Author: Scholastic news grade 3
Abstract: A worksheet for students based on the project results.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://sn3.scholastic.com/issues/2017-18/112017/a-pilgrim-discovery.html
Audience: K - 12

A Pilgrim Puzzle. (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: A Pilgrim Puzzle.
Author: Scholastic news grade 4.
Abstract: A worksheet for students based on project results.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://sn4.scholastic.com/issues/2017-18/112017/a-pilgrim-puzzle.html
Audience: K - 12

Finding the Pilgrims (Article)
Title: Finding the Pilgrims
Author: Gorman, Rachael Moeller
Abstract: A popular overview of the results of the project. Fall 2017: 31-36.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://www.archaeologicalconservancy.org/finding-the-pilgrims/
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: American Archaeology
Publisher: Archaeological Conservancy

Pilgrims Homes Excavated in Massachusetts. (Article)
Title: Pilgrims Homes Excavated in Massachusetts.
Author: Archaeology.org
Abstract: A report on the project's discovery of the first evidence of the 17th century Plymouth Colony settlement.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: https://www.archaeology.org/news/6055-171027-massachusetts-pilgrim-homes
Format: Other
Periodical Title: Archaeology Magazine, online news. (October 30, 2017)
Publisher: Archaeology.org

Unlocking the Past: New Archaeological Discoveries in America's Hometown. (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Unlocking the Past: New Archaeological Discoveries in America's Hometown.
Abstract: Public lecture for Destination Plymouth, a business group that promotes tourism in Plymouth, MA.
Author: Landon, David
Date: 3/30/2017
Location: Destination Plymouth Annual Meeting, Plymouth, MA

Finding Plymouth: An Archaeological View of Burial Hill. (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Finding Plymouth: An Archaeological View of Burial Hill.
Abstract: Tour of Burial Hill, Plymouth, MA, for the Plymouth Antiquarian Society.
Author: Landon, David
Date: 10/7/2017
Location: Burial Hill, Plymouth, MA

A Cloth Seal and a Muck Pit: 2017 Archaeological Discoveries on Burial Hill in Plymouth (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: A Cloth Seal and a Muck Pit: 2017 Archaeological Discoveries on Burial Hill in Plymouth
Abstract: Public Lecture for Massachusetts' archaeology month at Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, MA.
Author: Landon, David
Date: 10/18/17
Location: Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, MA.

The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey: Discoveries of the 2017 Excavation Season. (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Plymouth Colony Archaeological Survey: Discoveries of the 2017 Excavation Season.
Abstract: Public Lecture for "Lunch and Learn" series at Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA.
Author: Landon, David
Date: 10/27/17
Location: Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, MA

Household Activities and Areas: A Reanalysis of the Pilgrim Alden Family First Home Site. (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Household Activities and Areas: A Reanalysis of the Pilgrim Alden Family First Home Site.
Abstract: Paper presented at the 117th Annual Meeting of the Alden Kindred, Inc., Duxbury, MA.
Author: Gardiner, Caroline
Date: 8/5/17
Location: The Alden House, Duxbury, MA

Archaeology for the Plymouth Colony: Past and Present. (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Archaeology for the Plymouth Colony: Past and Present.
Abstract: Four session class for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UMass Boston. Course sessions started at UMass Boston with an overview and introduction to the project, and ended with visits to Plimoth Plantation and the excavation site in Plymouth, MA.
Author: Waski, Nadia
Author: Beranek, Christa
Author: Cacchione, Victoria
Author: Gardiner, Caroline
Author: Greco, Annie
Date: 5/16/17
Location: UMass Boston and Plymouth, MA

The Private Side of Victorian Mourning Practices in Nineteenth-Century New England: The Cole’s Hill Memorial Cache. (Article)
Title: The Private Side of Victorian Mourning Practices in Nineteenth-Century New England: The Cole’s Hill Memorial Cache.
Author: Nadia E. Waski
Author: Cacchione, Victoria A.
Abstract: Excavated in downtown Plymouth, Massachusetts, a cache of 19th-century personal-adornment artifacts, daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and organic materials provides an alternative view of mourning and memorialization practices in Victorian-era New England. The associated artifacts possess characteristics indicative of Victorian mourning symbols and material types. However, no other current examples of this mourning practice exist in the historical and archaeological records. Thus, this article will attempt to understand this discovery as an aspect of the private side of the traditionally public mourning practices and women’s efforts to create mourning customs that served in creating a feminine historical memory in the Victorian era.
Year: 2020
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Northeast Historical Archaeology 49:101-116.
Publisher: Northeast Historical Archaeology 49:101-116.

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