1899 Archaeological Excavation of Native American Remains in Pelham Bay Park

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He was a trench-digging laborer.  He had been digging trenches for nearly a month, just doing his job as an "excavator."  The work, of course, was deadly dull.  Weeks of shoveling.  Weeks of shoveling.  

On Monday, May 15, 1899, his drudgery continued.  The anonymous laborer shoveled away until he noticed something odd.  It looked like . . . small bones . . . bones of a foot . . . a human foot!  

Ecstatic, the laborer notified his supervisor, a sixteen-year-old kid.  That sixteen-year-old kid was Raymond M. Harrington, already a well-known "authority on the subject of Indian archaeology."  Harrington was superintending a project on behalf well-known anthropologist, Professor Marshall H. Saville of the American Museum of Natural History, the brains behind the excavation.

Professor Saville had known for a long time, like virtually all Pelhamites, that much of the northeastern area of Pelham Bay Park was then -- and still is -- riddled with evidence of ancient Native American occupation.  Saville assembled an excavation project in 1899 to uncover "Indian Relics."  He chose an area along City Island Road overlooking Pelham Bay near Jack's Rock, known formerly as Van Cott's Grove.  There was a knoll there.  It was a mound in an area that overlooked productive waters.  The area was rich with shell heaps.  Professor Saville had a hunch.  His hunch turned out to be correct.

In April of that year, Saville assembled a group of laborers to be overseen by young Raymond Harrington.  The plan was to begin digging five-feet-wide trenches four feet deep, one after the other, contiguously, until the entire knoll had been stripped to a depth of four feet.  For about a month, the laborers dug two lengthy trenches across the knoll without uncovering anything.  Then, when about two-thirds of the third trench had been dug, one laborer discovered the foot bones. 

The bones of the human foot were only the beginning.  Slowly, an entire Native American burial was revealed with only a single item in the grave -- a "sharp stone instrument" or stone blade.  Some reports said it was clasped in the right hand.  Others said it was cradled within the right arm.  Professor Saville was able to determine that the skeleton was  that of an old man, some of whose teeth had worn down nearly to the jaw bones in which they were embedded.

Within two days, as the work expanded, a second burial was uncovered in the mound.  Though the skeleton was only partial and quite deteriorated, the grave was rich with relics that shed light on the life of inhabitants of the region long before the area in which the knoll sat became part of the Town of Pelham and, later, was annexed into New York City.  The excavators uncovered flints, pieces of pottery, antler arrow points, shells, stone net sinkers, a terrapin-back ornament, stone scraper, and a small diamond-shaped ornament of mica.

An article at the time in The World about the discoveries, brought to my attention by Jorge Santiago of the Northeast Bronx History Forum, included an interesting set of drawings of a number of the discoveries and of the first skeleton found.  I have included that image below, as well as the text of the article and several other articles about the discoveries.
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Below is the transcribed text of a number of articles that address the archaeological excavation of Native American remains in Pelham Bay Park during April and May, 1899.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

Items Found During Archaeological Excavations of Native

American Remains in Pelham Bay Park in April and May,

1899.  Source:  INDIAN RELICS FOUND IN PELHAM BAY PARK,

The World [NY, NY], May 21, 1899, p. 2, cols. 2-3.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"INDIAN RELICS FOUND IN PELHAM BAY PARK

Through the efforts of Prof. Marshall H. Saville, of the Museum of Natural History, an addition of scientific value has been made to the collection within the past week.  This addition consists of bones and other relics unearthed within the limits of Greater New York in Pelham Bay Park.

The bones form the skeletons of two Indians, while the other relics are pieces of pottery, antler arrow points, shells, net sinkers, flint and mica and terrapin-back ornaments.

In years past human bones, Indian tomahawks, flint arrow points and other things indicative of an aboriginal settlement have been found in the upper part of Pelham Bay Park.  They found their way into the museum and so deeply impressed Prof. Saville that a search in the aid of science was determined upon.  The place selected is a knoll in the upper part of the park, on the shore of Le Roy Bay, near the fishing resort known as 'Jack's Rock.'

The excavations were begun more than a month ago, under the superintendency of Raymond Harrington, but there were no developments until the past week.  Then, one of the workmen came across a human foot and later unearthed nearly an entire skeleton of an Indian.

This, with a second one which was found on Wednesday, together with scores of small implements and trinkets that were dug up at different places in the knoll, are new at the museum.  The skeleton will be mounted, the relics labelled, the pieces of pottery glued together and the whole placed on exhibition within another week.

In regard to the method of excavation and the scientific value of his discoveries, Prof. Saville said to a World reporter:  

'This work was begun in the interest of the study of anthropology.  In order to cover every inch of the ground we planned to dig parallel and contiguous trenches four feet deep from one side of the knoll to the other.

'Two trenches had been dug only to be filled again before our labors were rewarded.  The third trench was nearly finished when one of the laborers came across a human foot.  I ordered the workers to proceed with care, and handful after handful of dirt was removed until a skeleton nearly complete was laid bare.  The skeleton was in a cramped condition, and the only other thing found in the grave was a sharp stone instrument, clasped in the right hand.  The left hand could not be found.

'An examination of the bones convinces me that the skeleton is that of a male long past middle age.  This I judge from the front teeth being worn almost even with the sockets.  I am sure that the skeleton is that of one of a tribe of Indians long since extinct, and that it had lain where found for more than 300 years.  I hope that it will aid materially in furnishing comparisons with the Indians of that generation, with some of later years and with those of to-day.

'The find will particularly interest the people of New York, as it was unearthed within the city limits and will show them the character of man that inhabited this section, his mode of life and the primitive utensils he used.'"

Source:  INDIAN RELICS FOUND IN PELHAM BAY PARK, The World [NY, NY], May 21, 1899, p. 2, cols. 2-3.  

"INDIAN VILLAGE UNEARTHED HERE.
-----
Skeleton of an Aboriginal Inhabitant of Greater New York Dug Up in Pelham Bay Park.
-----
BURIED 300 YEARS OR MORE.
-----
Treasure Discovered by Professor Saville and Added to the Museum of Natural History.
-----
SEARCHING THE SHELL HEAPS
-----
Many Fragments of Earthenware and Stone Implements Also Dug From Former Indian Settlement.
-----

There has just been added to the treasures of the Museum of Natural History a 'find' of the highest scientific value, in the form of the bones of an aboriginal inhabitant of Greater New York, which were unearthed on Monday in Pelham Bay Park.

The bones consist of the almost perfect skeleton of an Indian brave, and special importance attaches to the discovery on account of its affording one of the few instances of the finding of Indian bones within the city limits.

It has been known for many years that in the upper part of Pelham Bay Park there had once existed an important Indian settlement.  From time to time discoveries were made in the form of human bones, fragments of earthenware and stone implements, but the work of exploration was never conducted scientifically until it was recently taken in hand by Professor Marshall H. Saville, of the Museum of Natural History.

SELECTED KNOWL NEAR 'JACK'S ROCK.'

The spot selected by Professor Saville as most likely to repay a thorough examination was a picturesque little knoll, on the shore of Le Roy Bay, near the pretty fishing resort known as 'Jack's Rock.'  It is just off the City Island road, and about midway between that place and the railroad station at Bartow.

Judging by the enormous number of refuse shell heaps in the vicinity  of the mound, it must have formed the centre of a considerable settlement.

Professor Saville began systematic work about a month ago with a party of skilled excavators under the immediate charge of Raymond Harrington, who, although only sixteen years old, is an authority on the subject of Indian archaeology.  The plan of operations contemplated the digging of parallel and contiguous trenches, above five feet wide, from one end of the knoll to the other, so as not to leave an inch of ground within four feet of the surface unexplored.

Two of the trenches had been laboriously dug and filled in again, and two-thirds of the third had been finished on Monday afternoon, when one of the workmen discovered a human foot.  At once the utmost precautions were used, and the earth was removed bit by bit by hand, until, after several hours of hard work, a complete skeleton was revealed.

STONE KNIFE IN THE GRAVE.

In the hollow of the right arm lay a sharp stone instrument, evidently designed to serve as a knife.  This was the only object found in the grave.  

As soon as all the dirt had been brushed from the body it was photographed precisely as it was discovered, before any further examination was made.  It ws at first believed that both the hands were missing, but search revealed portions of the fingers of the right hand.  No trace was found of the left hand, and the presence of the knife gave rise to some interesting conjectures.  It was suggested that possibly the body might be that of a criminal who had been punished by the loss of a hand before execution, and that the weapon with which the mutilation was effected had been cast into the grave.

A careful examination of the bones showed them to be those of a male of advanced age, as evidenced by the teeth, which, in the front of the jaws were worn down level with the sockets.

Professor Saville said yesterday that he thought the bones had been buried at least 300 years, and possibly much longer.

The excavations on the knoll are being actively carried on, and Professor Saville and Mr. Harrington have very little doubt that many more skeletons will be found.

FRAGMENTS OF INDIAN POTTERY.

In addition to the exploration of the summit of the knoll the shell heaps in the vicinity are being thoroughly searched, and objects of high archaeological value are being daily discovered.  These consist for the most part of fragments of pottery, every shard of which, no matter how minute, is carefully preserved."

Source:  INDIAN VILLAGE UNEARTHED HERE, N.Y. Herald, May 17, 1899, p. 12, col. 1.

"BONES OF ANOTHER INDIAN FOUND.
-----
PROFESSOR SAVILLE THINKS HE HAS UNEARTHED AN ABORIGINAL VILLAGE IN PELHAM BAY PARK.

The search for archaeological specimens, which is being conducted in Pelham Bay Park by Professor Saville and Raymond Harrington, under the auspices of the Museum of Natural History, was infused with new zest yesterday by the finding of part of another skeleton, supposed to be the remains of an Indian buried there three hundred years or more ago.  On Monday a well-preserved skeleton of an Indian brave was dug up, and the uncovering of this second grave has led Professor Saville to believe that he has hit upon an ancient burying-ground and the site of an aboriginal village.  

The skeleton, or, rather, the part of one, found yesterday, was not in as good a state of preservation as the one unearthed last Monday.  Only the skull arm bones and a few of the ribs were found, and the skull was crushed, indicating that this Indian met a violent death.  From the size of the arm bones and other indications known to scientists, that person is believed to have been a woman.  The body was buried with the head north and the face to the east.  It was about six feet away from where the other skeleton lay.  In the grave were a few flints and shells, a stone scraper, a net-sinker and a small diamond-shaped ornament of mica.  The bones were cleaned and photographed and removed to the Museum, where they were placed beside the former 'find.'

Professor Saville has a force of four men at work in the trenches.  He thinks that more skeletons will be recovered in a few days."

Source:  BONES OF ANOTHER INDIAN FOUND -- PROFESSOR SAVILLE THINKS HE HAS UNEARTHED AN ABORIGINAL VILLAGE IN PELHAM BAY PARK, N.Y. Tribune, May 18, 1899, Vol. LIX, No. 19177, p. 1, col. 4.  

"INDIAN VILLAGE UNEARTHED IN PELHAM.
-----

Professor Marshall H. Saville has unearthed an Indian village in what was a part of the old town of Pelham, now a part of Greater New York.

The spot selected by Professor Saville as most likely to repay a thorough examination was a picturesque little knoll, on the shore of Le Roy Bay, near the pretty fishing resort known as 'Jack's Rock.'  It is just off the City Island road, and about midway between that place and the railroad station at Bartow.

Judging from the enormous number of refuse shell heaps in the vicinity of the mound, it must have formed the centre of a considerable settlement.

Professor Saville began systematic work about a month ago with a party of skilled excavators under the immediate charge of Raymond Harrington, who, although only sixteen years old, is an authority on the subject of Indian archaeology.  The plan of operations contemplated the digging of parallel and contiguous trenches, about five feet wide, from one end of the knoll to the other, so as not to leve an inch of ground within four feet of the surface unexplored.

Two of the trenches had been laboriously dug and filled in again, and two-thirds of the third had been finished on Monday afternoon, when one of the workmen discovered a human foot.  At once the utmost precautions were used, and the earth was removed bit by bit by hand, until, after several hours of hard work, a complete skeleton was revealed.

In the hollow of the right arm lay a sharp stone instrument, evidently designed to serve as a knife.  This was the only object found in the grave.

As soon as all the dirt had been brushed from the body it was photographed precisely as it was discovered, before any further examination was made.  It was at first believed that both the hands were missing, but search revealed portions of the fingers of the right hand.  No trace was found of the left hand, and the presence of the knife gave rise to some interesting conjectures.  It was suggested that possibly the body might be that of a criminal who had been punished by the loss of a hand before execution, and that the weapon with which the mutilation was affected [sic] had been cast into the grave.

A careful examination of the bones showed them to be those of a male of advanced age, as evidenced by the teeth, which in the front of the jaws were worn down level with the sockets.

Professor Saville said yesterday that he thought the bones had been buried at least 300 years, and possibly much longer.

The excavations on the knoll are being carried on, and Professor Saville and Mr. Harrington have very little doubt that many more skeletons will be found.

In addition to the exploration of the summit of the knoll the shell heaps in its vicinity are being thoroughly searched, and objects of high archaeological value are being daily discovered.  These consist for the most part of fragments of pottery, every shard of which, no matter how minute, is carefully preserved."

Source: INDIAN VILLAGE UNEARTHED IN PELHAM, The New Rochelle Press, May 20, 1899, p. 6, col. 2.    

"DUG UP INDIAN SKELETON.
-----
Professor Saville Unearths Many Indian Relics in Pelham Bay Park.

There has just been added to the treasures of the Museum of Natural History, a 'find' of the highest scientific value, in the form of the bones of an aboriginal inhabitant of the old Town of Pelham, which were unearthed on Monday in Pelham Bay Park.

The bones consist of the almost perfect skeleton of an Indian brave, and special importance attaches to the discovery on account of its affording one of the few instances of the finding of Indian bones within the limits of Greater New York.

It has been known for many years that in the upper part of Pelham Bay Park there had once existed an important Indian settlement.  From time to time discoveries were made in the form of human bones, fragments of earthenware and stone implements, but the work of exploration was never conducted scientifically until it was recently taken in hand by Professor Marshall H. Saville, of the Museum of Natural History.

The spot selected by Professor Saville as most likely to repay a thorough examination was a picturesque little knoll on the shore of Le Roy Bay, near the pretty fishing resort known as 'Jack's Rock.'  It is just off the City Island road, and about midway between that place and the railroad station at Bartow.

Judging by the enormous number of refuse shell heaps in the vicinity of the mound, it must have formed the centre of a considerable settlement.

Professor Saville began systematic work about a month ago with a party of skilled excavators under the immediate charge of Raymond Harrington, who, although only sixteen years old, is an authority on the subject of Indian archaeology.  The plan of operations contemplated the digging of parallel and contiguous trenches, about five feet wide, from one end of the knoll to the other, so as not to leave an inch of ground within four feet of the surface unexplored.

Two of the trenches had been laboriously dug and filled in again, and two thirds of the third had been finished on Monday afternoon, when one of the workmen discovered a human foot.  At once the utmost precautions were used, and the earth was removed bit by bit by hand, until, after several hours of hard work, a complete skeleton was revealed.

In the hollow of the right arm lay a sharp stone instrument, evidently designed to serve as a knife.  This was the only object found in the grave.

As soon as all the dirt had been brushed from the body it was photographed precisely as it was discovered before any further examination was made.  It was at first believed that both the hands were missing, but search revealed portions of the fingers of the right hand.  No trace was found of the left hand, and the presence of the knife gave rise to some interesting conjectures.  It was suggested that possibly the body might be that of a criminal who had been punished by the loss of a hand before execution, and that the weapon with which the mutilation was effected had been cast into the grave.

A careful examination of the bones showed them to be those of a male of advanced age, as evidenced by the teeth, which in the front of the jaws were worn down level with the sockets.

Professor Saville said yesterday that he thought the bones had been buried at least 300 years, and possibly much longer.

The excavations on the knoll are being actively carried on, and Professor Saville and Mr. Harrington have very little doubt that many more skeletons will be found.

In addition to the exploration of the summit of the knoll the shell heaps in its vicinity are being thoroughly searched, and objects of high archaeological value are being daily discovered.  These consist for the most part of fragments of pottery, every shard of which, no matter how minute, is carefully preserved."

Source:  DUG UP INDIAN SKELETON -- Professor Saville Unearths Many Indian Relics in Pelham Bay Park, Mount Vernon News [Mount Vernon, NY], May 25, 1899, p. 5, cols. 5-6.

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