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Magazine Publishes Article by SRAC's Deb Twigg
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9/28/2011 11:52:00 AM
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WAVERLY, NY -- The "Ancient American" magazine recently released their September issue that includes an article by the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center’s cofounder and executive director, Deb Twigg. Twigg's article is entitled, "Spanish Hill: The Search for Answers" and examines the earthen embankments that were surveyed and recorded to have once enclosed ten acres on the summit of the site located in South Waverly, PA. Unfortunately, annual plowing erased the earthen walls and the ability to use them as archaeological evidence by the end of the Civil War. The walls had been commonly regarded as defensive structures. In the recent "Ancient American" article, evidence is revealed that could prove that the embankments found by early settlers of the Valley were not created for defensive purposes at all.
Twigg claims, "The records show that Spanish Hill’s embankments had an interior ditch that archeologists agree denote a ceremonial structure. The same can be found at many ceremonial sites found in the Midwest including the Fort Ancient site in Ohio that was also thought to be a defensive structure, until professionals realized interior ditches were consistent with those found at ancient ceremonial spaces.” E. G. Squier, a prominent North American ancient earthwork researcher in 1847 explained, "Like the religious structures of the Druids, they were usually places of deliberation and council; within them the priests performed the ceremonies of their religion, and within them chiefs and warriors gathered to consult on public affairs, to make war and to conclude peace." Squier also reported, “This sacred place, according to our authority, could not be approached by any but the magi or priests.” Interestingly, early settlers near Spanish Hill reported that the Native Americans in the area would not ascend the hill, claiming that a great spirit lived there that would harm them. (Spanish Hill is currently private property and no trespassing is advised.)
Twigg’s article goes on to reveal other evidence along the Susquehanna River that relate to the same Fort Ancient Mound Culture in the form of rock art otherwise known as petroglyphs. She added, “I have been researching Spanish Hill for the past decade, and it never ceases to amaze me that many locals still don’t understand the significant role our region had in prehistoric and early historic times. My hope is that my work and the work of everyone at SRAC helps to educate our community about this part of our past.”
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