Skitchewaug Site

The site of the oldest  radio carbon dated remains of corn, beans and squash found by Vermont archaeologists on a field near Charlestown will be one of the destinations participants can leisurely stroll to during an all-day seminar presented by Michael Caduto Aug. 18. 

This early corn site referred to above is the Skitchewaug site located in Springfield, Vermont on the Connecticut River.   In 1994-1995 NRCS and partners stabilized the 2,000 feet of eroding river bank using 10,000 tons of rock rip rap WITHOUT cutting back the bank to prevent further destruction of wigwam floors, fire pits and storage/refuse pit features that produced the early corn date. To this day the bank remains well fortified and has filled in nicely with vegetation (see photo).  Burials have also been found at this site in the 1980s.   Dave Skinas, the VT NRCS Archeologist, was actively involved in monitoring this project during construction to ensure protection of the valuable cultural resources preserved there.