Letters

Amazing Ephrata I find myself constantly watching the Discovery Channel and the History Channel, and many times they have had documentaries on various archaeological discoveries that I find fascinating. Archaeology is an incredible science and it was so nice to read about the findings of the 1732 religious commune of Conrad Beissel in the Fall issue of American Archaeology.

How he got his followers to do his bidding is amazing. I guess if you really believe the Second Coming will happen during one’s lifetime, then the follower will do everything necessary to make that commune work.

The information gathered from this dig is historically important. The farming techniques of this period are now well documented, thanks to the hard work done by these archaeologists. The Cloister at Ephrata is a valuable finding for all future generations to study. Alicia Najar Red Bluff, California

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Letters

Overselling Small Insights As a professional historian who has also done time at several archaeological digs, I hate seeing historical archaeologists justify their endeavors as somehow superior to historical research.

The idea that the dig at the Ephrata Cloister is “telling a more truthful story” than can be gleaned from documents is pure hype. Yes, written texts are biased. This is news? The possible existence of bias is why good historians are systematically skeptics. And what great new truth has been unearthed at the Ephrata dig? That the society’s members ate meat although cautioned by their leader not to do so. Gosh!

Let the Ephrata project go forward with its good work of adding to our knowledge of its material culture. But please, let’s not oversell the significance of very small insights. Robert R. Dykstra Worcester, Massachusetts

Editor’s Corner

There is no place archaeologists won’t go.In this issue,we follow two of them underground and underwater as they attempt to comprehend prehistory. George Crothers has been plumbing the depths of Mammoth Cave in southern Kentucky since 1992.This is the world’s largest known cave system,and within its hundreds of miles of passages is evidence of thousands of years of human activity. The artifacts speak of a wide range of activities—from mining to rites of passage to convalescing from tuberculosis.

While Crothers dons a hard hat and headlamp for work,Michael Faught’s work attire consists of a wet suit and goggles.He explores the seabed of the Gulf of Mexico,more than three miles off the coast of northwestern Florida.Thousands of years ago,this area was dry land and Faught has found stone artifacts that are 8,000 to 12,000 years old.

Crothers and Faught are exploring fascinating places,and we have the good fortune of accompanying them.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION 1. Publication Title: American Archaeology. 2. Publication No.: 1093-8400. 3. Date of Filing: September 28, 2001. 4. Issue Frequency: Quarterly. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 4. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $25.00. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: same as No. 7. 9. Names and Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher-Mark Michel, address same as No. 7. Editor-Michael Bawaya, address same as No. 7. Managing Editor-N/A. 10. Owner: The Archaeological Conservancy, address same as No. 7. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. 13. Publication Title: American Archaeology. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Spring 2001. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average Number of Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: (A) Total No. Copies (net press run): 28,375; (B) Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 (Include advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies): 18,637; (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions (Include advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies): 0; (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: 2,848; (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 750. (C) Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15B (1), (2), (3), and (4)): 22,235; (D) Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, complimentary, and other free): (1) OutsideCounty as Stated on Form 3541: 0; (2) In-County as Stated on Form 3541: 0; (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 100; (E) Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 900; (F) Total Free Distribution (Sum of 15D and 15E): 1,000; (G) Total Distribution (Sum of 15C and 15F): 23,235; (H) Copies not Distributed: 5,140; (I) Total (Sum of 15G and 15H): 28,375. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15C/15G x 100): 95.70%. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Number Copies of Single Issue Publishd Nearest to Filing Date: (A) Total No. Copies (net press run): 25,000; (B) Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 (Include advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies): 17,026; (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions (Include advertiser’s proof copies and exchange copies): 0; (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution: 1,976; (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 1,100. (C) Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15B (1), (2), (3), and (4)): 20,102; (D) Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, complimentary, and other free): (1) Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541: 0; (2) In-County as Stated on Form 3541: 0; (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 25; (E) Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 700; (F) Total Free Distribution (Sum of 15D and 15E): 725; (G) Total Distribution (Sum of 15C and 15F): 20,827; (H) Copies not Distributed: 4,173; (I) Total (Sum of 15G and 15H): 25,000. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15C/15G x 100): 96.52%. 16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the Winter 2001 issue of this publication. 17. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. Michael Bawaya, Editor.

the Archaeological Conservancy is the only national non-profit organization that identifies,acquires,and preserves the most significant archaeological sites in the

United States.Since its beginning in 1980,the Conservancy has preserved more than 220 sites across the nation, ranging in age from the earliest habitation sites in North America to a 19thcentury frontier army post. We are building a national system of archaeological preserves to ensure the survival of our irreplaceable cultural heritage.

WELCOME TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVANCY!

Why Save Archaeological Sites? The ancient people of North America left virtually no written records of their cultures. Clues that might someday solve the mysteries of prehistoric America are still missing, and when a ruin is destroyed by looters, or leveled for a shopping center, precious information is lost. By permanently preserving endangered ruins, we make sure they will be here for future generations to study and enjoy.

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Editorial Advisory Board Ernie Boszhardt, Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center James Bruseth, Texas Historical Commission • Jonathan Damp, Zuni Cultural Resources Allen Dart, Old Pueblo Archaeology Center • Richard Daugherty, Washington State University David Dye, University of Memphis • John Foster, California State Parks Megg Heath, Bureau of Land Management • Susan Hector, San Diego County Parks Gwynn Henderson, Kentucky Archaeological Registry • John Henderson, Cornell University John Kelly, Washington University • Robert Kuhn, New York Historic Preservation Mark Lynott, National Park Service • Linda Mayro, Pima County, Arizona Jeff Mitchem, Arkansas Archaeological Survey • Giovanna Peebles, Vermont State Archaeologist Janet Rafferty, Mississippi State University • Kenneth Sassaman, University of Florida Donna Seifert, John Milner Associates • Kathryn Toepel, Heritage Research Associates Richard Woodbury, University of Massachusetts National Advertising Office Richard Bublitz, Advertising Representative; 22247 Burbank Boulevard, Woodland Hills, California 91367; (800) 485-5029; fax (818) 716-1030 dick-rcb@juno.om

American Archaeology (ISSN1093-8400) is published quarterly by The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517. Title registered U.S. Pat. and TM Office, © 2001 by TAC. Printed in the United States. Periodicals postage paid Albuquerque, NM, and additional mailing offices. Single copies are $3.95. A one-year membership to the Conservancy is $25 and includes receipt of American Archaeology. Of the member’s dues, $6 is designated for a one-year magazine subscription. READERS: For new memberships, renewals, or change of address, write to The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517, or call (505) 266-1540. For changes of address, include old and new addresses. Articles are published for educational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conservancy, its editorial board, or American Archaeology. Article proposals and artwork should be addressed to the editor. No responsibility assumed for unsolicited material. All articles receive expert review. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American Archaeology, The Archaeological Conservancy, 5301 Central Avenue NE, Suite 402, Albuquerque, NM 87108-1517; (505) 266-1540. All rights reserved. American Archaeology does not accept advertising from dealers in archaeological artifacts or antiquities.