The First Annual Symposium on the early colonial archaeology of the Delaware Valley Region was held May 10, 2008, at the Old New Castle Court House Museum in New Castle, Delaware. Another symposium is scheduled for May 9, 2009, at the same location. The format of the symposium is a range of informal presentations on the practical aspects of the archaeology of this period. Our goal is to build a regional level dialog that can identify the uniqueness of the early colonial cultures of this region. As noted in the submitted papers linked below, the presenters are exploring the frustrations of past research and the potential of our future research in this broad topic.

The Elusive 17th-Century Site in the Lower Delaware Valley

Why 17th and Early 18th Century Sites are Under Represented

"The Enigmatic Isaac Allerton: A Mariner, Merchant, Burgher, Attorney, and Diplomat of New Netherland." by David A. Furlow

"Wampum on the Fringe: Absence of a post-1610 Commodity in Delaware, And Why" by Dr. Marshall Becker

"reliminary Analysis of Clay Tobacco Pipes at Avery's Rest" by Gary Schmidt, Archaeology Society of Delaware - Sussex