The Archaeology of Kingston, New York - (Excelsior Editions) by Joseph E Diamond

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A comprehensive analysis of eighty-eight archaeological sites in and around the City of Kingston, New York.

The Archaeology of Kingston, New York covers Kingston (and New York State and the Hudson Valley to a lesser extent) from Paleo-Indian times circa twelve thousand years ago through twelve thousand years of Native American occupations. The book covers the archaeology of the Dutch colonial period and the British colonial period, as well as a number of sites around the city from the nineteenth century. The book brings together new information on eighty-two archaeological sites and six related sites that are slightly outside of the corporate boundary of the city of Kingston. These include precontact and Native American sites, such as Sailor's Cove and Cantine's Island; the founding of Wiltwyck in the early colonial period; key sites in the Stockade District; the Matthew Persen House; maritime archaeological sites; key cemeteries; and noteworthy sites related to African Americans in the region. Along with the archaeological discussion, the book includes information about local lithic geology, glacial geology, and flora and fauna that were important dietary components of precontact Native Americans. The Archaeology of Kingston, New York offers a complete introduction to the region for anyone interested in New York history and its study and recovery.

Review Quotes

"The Archaeology of Kingston New York is a truly exhaustive summary of the archaeology that has taken place in the city and surrounding area to date. Through careful attention to detail and clarity of writing, Diamond analyses an enormous catalog of data from published and unpublished literature that will be useful to a wide range of audiences including professional archaeologists, historians, local planning officials, educators, and the curious public. Sources unavailable to non-archaeologists are presented in detail to interpret the material culture used by peoples of Indigenous, African, and European descent. The result is an expansive and substantive diachronic synthesis of life in the mid-Hudson Valley that will surely serve as a definitive archaeological reference for years to come." - Michael T. Lucas, Curator of Historical Archaeology, New York State Museum

"The evidence from archaeological excavations opens a new window into thousands of years of the history of Kingston. This previously unpublished study and analysis of physical artifacts and features provides an unprecedented view into the lives of people, and their slaves, who have lived at this location for many centuries. It is a record that will be of value to many future scholars. The artifacts from historic time periods are shown to be able to explain the meaning of many of the well-known historical documents in Kingston history." - Paul R. Huey, retired director, State Historic Sites archaeology program of the Bureau of Historic Sites in the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

About the Author

Joseph E. Diamond is Associate Professor of Anthropology at SUNY New Paltz. He is Vice President of the New York Archaeological Council.