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Meeting Summary
May 10, 2011 HOPSOUTNJ
meeting:
DICK
REGENSBURG
Most of the time the
Historical Society of Upper Township is concerned with local history
starting with the time of the first European settlers, but of course our
history doesn’t really start then. This continent was settled thousands of
years before that time by what we refer to as Native Americans. Our
speaker last night was local resident, Dick Regensberg, former assistant
archaeologist for both Delaware and North Carolina . He was in charge of
the archaeological dig at the B. L. England plant in Beesley’s Point.
Mr. Regensburg told the
packed room that North America has been inhabited for about 10,000 years.
DNA testing, C14 dating and sophisticated mineral analysis as well as
careful study of artifacts has established this. During the ice age a
meteor hit the 2 mile thick ice pack covering Canada which caused the
extinction of 35 species of mega-animals like mastodons and 8 foot long
beavers. But the ever adaptable humans switched to hunting smaller prey.
They have left behind spear points and bone tools. These peoples had a
sophisticated trade route. In a burial site found on the Steele farm in
Beesley’s Point objects made from stone and minerals from Pennsylvania ,
and as far away as Michigan and Wyoming have been found.
Many
of our members have found ‘Indian’ artifacts in this township. Most of
these objects date from 1000 B.C. to 400 A.D. This is because between 1491
and 1620 European diseases reduced the Native American population by 96%.
Mr.
Regensburg brought with him a collection of the objects found in this area
and explained that an archaeologist must publish his findings or he would
be just another looter. Afterward we were free to examine the objects and
ask questions.
- End of meeting summary >
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Dick
Regensberg
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The Historical Preservation Society of Upper Township NJ Inc. (HPSOUTNJ)
P.O. Box 658
Marmora, NJ 08223-0658
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Last Update -
15 May 2011
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