SRAC - Susquehanna River Archaeological Center

08/19/2026

Mark your calendars!

07/28/2026

SPANISH HILL -By Deb Twigg

The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) announces the second part of their three part lecture series this summer:

Spanish Hill/Carantouan'
presented by Deb Twigg, SRAC cofounder and director, on July 11 at 1 p.m. at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center located at 345 Broad Street, Waverly, Ny.

Draped in mystery and lore Spanish Hill has captured the imaginations of all ages for generations in the Valley area.

Twigg’s research concerning Spanish Hill was published in the peer reviewed "Pennsylvania Archaeologist" in 2005 and she has continued her ongoing research over the past twenty years, including it's history and what we know of it's prehistoric past. Her passion for this subject is combined with her belief that it's important for every community member to know how important Spanish Hill is as a part of our community's shared story of the place where our local history begins.

This presentation is made to be for audiences of all ages and will include new information and imagery never seen before.

The audience is invited to share their experiences at Spanish Hill as a part of this community experience. Bring your photos, bring your artifacts, bring your fond memories for us all to share together.

Stay tuned for the final presentation of this lecture series: 'Ancient Petroglyphs at Seneca Lake' will be presented by SRAC's David Moyer on August 15 at 1 p.m., highlighting his report on rare Native American petroglyphs near Seneca Lake.

Admission will be four dollars at the door for nonmembers and free to all SRAC members with current memberships.

Draped in mystery and lore Spanish Hill has captured the imaginatio...

07/27/2026

Native American Life Along the Susquehanna River 1,000 Years Ago: Archaeology in Athens, Pa.

Dr. DeeAnne Wymer

What do the traces of ancient peoples along the riverbanks of our streams and mighty rivers tell us about how life was lived thousands of years ago before first Old World colonists landed on the shores of this beautiful land? Recent excavations, organized by the Susquehanna River Archaeological River Center, are revealing a rare glimpse into the village life of ancient peoples 1,000 years ago in the Athens PA valley. Dr. DeeAnne Wymer, Archaeology Director for the Susquehanna River Archaeological River Center, will summarize the recent excavation of the Abhe-Brennen-Polzilla Site – where SRAC excavations have taken place in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This site overlooks the Susquehanna River in the historic district of Athens PA and has produced a rare snapshot of village life circa 1100 A.D. This is a critical time period that includes the first permanent settlements of a native population who lived here before the first migrations of Iroquois peoples into our area. The site’s unique preservation led to the recovery of bone and antler tools, including needles, weaving tools, bone harpoons, antler tine arrows, ancient dog f***s, bear and wolf tooth ornaments, and a carved bone hair comb, along with a large amount of pottery, animal bones, and stone tools. Dr. Wymer will discuss how water and forest resources were carefully used by the people who called this region home.



This presentation is in honor of the official opening of the new exhibit at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center which features highlights of the Abhe-Brennen-Polzilla Site excavations and displays the unique and remarkable artifacts from the site.

Life Along the Susquehanna River, 1000 Years ago in Athens, PA

07/21/2026

Painted Landscapes of Iroquoia: Pictographs and Pictured Rocks in the Finger Lakes Region

By: David Moyer

Saturday, Aug. 15 at 1pm
at the
Susquehanna River Archaeological Center
345 Broad Street
WAVERLY, NY

While people often associate Rock Art (Native American rock paintings and carvings) with the western United States, many are surprised to learn that the area now comprising central New York State also contains rare vestiges of rock art traditions created by ancestral Haudenosaunee people.

This talk discusses the “Pictured Rocks,” an early 20th century collection of modern paintings visible at the southern end of Seneca Lake near Watkins Glen. These modern paintings incorporate Native American elements such as tipis and canoes, and were created for multiple reasons, including commemoration, tourism, and civic pride. Despite its historical significance, the Pictured Rocks Site is often erroneously referenced as authentic or a precontact work, leading to confusion and potentially detracting from the genuine precontact rock art in the region. The talk contrasts these modern representations with actual Native American pictographs located nearby and discusses how ancestral Haudenosaunee people blended art and visual communication to create a unique “Painted Landscape” across the region.

David Moyer is currently the Vice President of the New York State Archaeological Association and also serves as director of the Roland B. Hill Memorial Museum of Archaeology in Otego, NY, which is operated by the Upper Susquehanna Chapter, NYSAA. He is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and is owner and principal investigator of Birchwood Archaeological Services, Inc. a cultural resources consulting company located in Gilbertsville, NY. David completed his bachelors degree in Anthropology from Binghamton University and received an MA in Anthropology from the University of Montana. He also currently serves on the board of directors for the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) in Waverly, NY and has written many archaeological reports, journal articles and conference papers.

Admission will be four dollars for non-SRAC members and free to current SRAC members!

07/07/2026

SPANISH HILL

The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) announces the second part of their three part lecture series this summer:

'Spanish Hill'
presented by Deb Twigg, SRAC cofounder and director, on July 11 at 1 p.m. at the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center located at 345 Broad Street, Waverly, Ny.

Draped in mystery and lore Spanish Hill has captured the imaginations of all ages for generations in the Valley area.

Twigg’s research concerning Spanish Hill was published in the peer reviewed "Pennsylvania Archaeologist" in 2005 and she has continued her ongoing research over the past twenty years, including it's history and what we know of it's prehistoric past. Her passion for this subject is combined with her belief that it's important for every community member to know how important Spanish Hill is as a part of our community's shared story of the place where our local history begins.

This presentation is made to be for audiences of all ages and will include new information and imagery never seen before.

The audience is invited to share their experiences at Spanish Hill as a part of this community experience. Bring your photos, bring your artifacts, bring your fond memories for us all to share together.

Stay tuned for the final presentation of this lecture series: 'Ancient Petroglyphs at Seneca Lake' will be presented by SRAC's David Moyer on August 15 at 1 p.m., highlighting his report on rare Native American petroglyphs near Seneca Lake.

Admission will be four dollars at the door for nonmembers and free to all SRAC members with current memberships.

06/19/2026