Sanctuary on the Trail™ -- Shenandoah University Professor Dr. Bryan Pearce-Gonzales and eight students from his Mesoamerican civilizations class studied the Paleo-Indian site here today. Some of the students called it a "once in a lifetime possibility" to visit such an old and historic site.
    “I am teaching a class this semester on Mesoamerican civilizations, primarily the Olmec, Maya and Mexica people and their cultures,” said Dr. Pearce-Gonzales SU Department of World Languages & Cultures. “Our approach to these Mesoamerican civilizations has begun with a look at the Paleoindian peoples who first came to the Americas.
    The historical/archaeological tour included the concentric rings, triangle with stacked rocks and discussion about artifacts and dating techniques.
    “I am so grateful to you and your husband for making this trip a possibility and for sharing such an incredible piece of human history with my class and the greater community,” said Dr. Pearce-Gonzales in an email to the site’s custodians.

    Shenandoah University's World Languages & Cultures Department seeks to prepare students to be true Global Citizens. In addition to instruction in Spanish, French, German and English as a Second Language, they promote community service in the target language and study abroad opportunities around the world.
    These small, interactive classes are led by professors like Dr. Pearce-Gonzales who combine cutting-edge scholarship with individualized attention to help students develop to their fullest potential.

Sanctuary on the Trail™ - Site owners of the Paleo-Indian site in Northern Virginia are seeking experts knowledgeable in paleo-indian pre-history. The couple have results from a 5-year study that includes notes from the 2011 Archaeological Excavation, a final report ready for peer review and artifacts.
     Jasper (below) discovered early in level B confirmed the presence of human usage at the site. Jasper does not occur in outcrops above the site; thus, it had to be carried into the site.
     Jasper is assumed to be from the Front Royal area and related to the Paleoindian occupation of the Shenandoah River; however, it could have been retrieved from the Shenandoah River.

      The jasper below, found during the excavation, amplifies the site’s Paleoindian association. It has a heavily redden area; also it has likens from lying under the ground for 12,000 years.

      This jasper thumbnail scraper is a classic Paleoindian artifact; especially noted is the spur graver (above). The spur was examined microscopically (400x) and shows striations. Both faces have length-wise parallel flake scars. The spur was used, and the scraper end shows signs of being used.
     The tool is unusually small and was found on the northeastern corner of the excavated square. It was heat treated.

     The University of Washington conducted thermoluminescence (TL) dating that confirms the artifacts last use at 10,470 years before present.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA - Three archaeologists from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) office and a hydrogeologist from Maryland visited the Paleo-Indian site here today.
     Tom Klatka, archaeologist from DHR’s community services division regional offices Western Regional Preservation Office (Roanoke College, Salem) provided sound advice and recommendations to site owners into the importance of preservation. Tom advocates for local communities and helps get their voices heard. He has 26 years’ experience as an archaeologist.
     DHR’s division of Preservation Incentives Easements Joanna Wilson Green, archaeologist and Michael Clem, archaeologist and easement program stewardship coordinator, helped confirm the rarity of finding jasper which is not indigenous to this portion of Northern Virginia.      DHR is the State Historic Preservation Office in Virginia responsible for fostering, encouraging and supporting the stewardship of Virginia's significant historic architectural, archaeological and cultural resources.
     Dennis Cumbie, CPG groundwater hydro-geologist, from Rockledge LLC., Sharpsburg Maryland, shed light on the natural occurrences of stone formations as they developed millions of years ago. He also suggested the site owners get opinions from quaternary geomorphology experts. Dennis is a senior level hydrogeologist with 18+ years experience in water supply investigation, ground- and surface-water monitoring, water quality and watershed management.
     Site owners Chris and René White gave the 4-member team a tour of key features to include the concentric rings, stacked rock linage, alter, triangle formation and day clock.

     Discussions included the possibility of conducting future soil samples and additional Thermoluminescence (TL) dating. The team shared numerous suggestions for further research and analysis to include consulting with specialists from Virginia Tech University, James Madison University and University of Georgia.
     “We welcomed the team to observe and analyze our findings,” said Chris who discovered the above-ground Paleo-Indian site on his property in Northern Virginia. “The highlight of our conversation for me was how these ancient findings impact humanity at large and how we find relevance in our current world view.”

    Paleo-Indian site guardians Chris and René White with the Native American Church of Virginia, presented scientific data collected over five years of research to 26 people at historic Bears Den hosted by the Bluemont Civic Organization Tuesday, Oct. 14.
    Chris and René also showed hands on samples of artifacts and offered heritage t-shirts featuring local artist Abigail Beavin.

     A partnership between the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy and the Native American Church of Virginia seems like a natural fit, thanks to the Foundation of the State Arboretum (FOSA) Volunteer and Events Coordinator Koy Mislowsky.
     Koy invited a small group of Native American elders to Blandy for an initial meeting on Thursday Oct.16. Notes following the two and half hour meeting revealed new possibilities for increasing understanding of the natural environment through education and culture for all people.
     "What a wonderful gathering," Koy said describing the conversations. "I am sitting at my desk reviewing all that we spoke of and I am amazed at your knowledge and expertise. So happy we have found each other!"
     Koy initiated contact with Chris and Rene' White of the Native American Church of Virginia following a local Winchester Star article. 
     While more talks and planning is needed, 

_initial impressions look positive for new ways to share Native American heritage while bringing all people, students, visitors and the community into one hoop at Blandy.
     The Arboretum occupies 172 acres of Blandy Experimental Farm and contains over 5000 woody trees and shrubs from around the world.
     Click here for FOSA membership information.

FOSA 30th Anniversary

This year is the 30th Anniversary for the Foundation of the State Arboretum of Virginia (FOSA), the official fund-raising, membership, and gift receiving organization for the State Arboretum of Virginia and Blandy Experimental Farm.

     FOSA is a 501(c)(3), University of Virginia (UVA) -related foundation. FOSA has about 700 member units and in 2013,100 active volunteers amassed nearly 4,800 volunteer hours by helping in the gardens, at events, and in our gift shop under the arch.
     Partnering with the Native American Church of Virginia could mean increased education of Native American culture, lands and way of life.