Ripley P. Bullen, 38(3)

70
China. Pottery. Glass
These recoveries include Willow ware, ironstone,
glazed red clay mugs, window glass, and bottle
fragments (dark green, with shallow indented bottoms).
Coins
A 1723 Hiberian half penny was recovered. Such
pennies were minted in Ireland, and proving to be
unpopular there were sent to the American colonies for
circulation. A 1787 large cent, minted in Massachusetts
was found. This coin was drilled for use as a medallion.
It is made of a white metal, though it is generally
thought that such large cents were minted in copper
only. Possibly this is a token made at a much later date
for commemorative purposes. An 1834 U.S. dime was
also found, in very good condition.
As a final comment upon the historic recoveries, it
might be said that having seen the rainbow and having
found the pot, the chapter now awaits the gold.
Quahog Shells
Such shells were recovered only from a small area at
the site.
Bones
Pig and cow bones were found in the area of the
aforementioned historic dump.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Only one C-14 date has been funded from Ponkapoag.
This Late Archaic period date of 4960 + 75 BP (3010
BC) came from a deep feature with copious charcoal,
but no artifacts. Diagnostic artifact recoveries, however,
indicate that Ponkapoag was inhabitated in the Early
and Middle Late Archaic periods, as well as in the
Ceramic period. The site was ideally suited, with ample
water, game and lithic supplies nearby. No doubt the
site was occupied for 5,000 or more years. That the
occupation may not have been year-round, but rather
seasonal is indicated by the absence of lodge floors,
stone bowls and pottery. Certainly with the excavation
of 30,000 square feet and with the recovery of a representative
quantity of features and artifacts, one would
have expected to find structures by now if in fact the
site had something more than a seasonal occupation.
The use of charcoal pits is interesting to speculate
upon. At Ponkapoag, all charcoal pits contained
varying amounts of charcoal and, in most cases,
calcined bone. Whether or not some pits were used as
secondary burials is undetermined. Some were obviously
used as campfires, but the absence of red ochre in the
Ponkapoag charcoal pits and hearths would seem to
exclude burials. The presence of red ochre, especially in
powdered form, along with ceremonial artifacts strongly
suggest in Archaic times a belief in an afterlife, and
that a ceremonial burial accompanied the bones of the
deceased. There still remains the possibility, however,
that at some remote corner of the site such a burial will
be found. It is hoped that the M.D.C. Ponkapoag Golf
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Course has not in fact already encroached upon such
burials.
The preponderance of projectile points and knives at
this site would indicate that the Archaic and Ceramic
period peoples were foraging hunters and gatherers who
found this area productive of the necessities of life. In
our years excavating at the site, we have been greatly
impressed by the variance of craftsmanship in the
manufacture of artifacts. A well proportioned, skillfully
flaked specimen is recovered within the same square as
a blade of the same type whose surface is rough and
shows a definite lack of talent in its manufacture. The
cruder artifacts-might not they be the work of
unskilled adolescents, attempting to produce the fine
work of an adult artisan? It is further proposed that
many of the broken artifacts which were excavated and
later assembled by chapter members were examples of
the artisan's disgust at producing an inferior product.
Many times while excavating at Ponkapoag a point or
knife tip would be found with its base excavated at
some distance away. As an example of this, who among
the readers has never cast away in anger an item which
suddenly breaks in the making? People, whether they
lived thousands of years ago or just yesterday, have
much in common.
In conclusion, it should be mentioned that within a
six mile radius of Ponkapoag there are several variants
in point types, with regard to length, width, choice of
materials and workmanship. For example, the Corner
Removed #8 and #9 points from the Cochato River
Valley site (unpublished; from the author's private
collection) are much longer and narrower than those
from Ponkapoag. Those from another unpublished site,
which chapter members called the Airport Site, are
shorter and broader than those from Ponkapoag. We
interpret these variations as representing differant ways
of manufacturing for achieving the same function,
without necessarily altering the efficiency of the artifact.
Randolph, Mass.
October 1976
The author wishes to acknowledge the h6lp of many
chapter excavators, especially the assistance of Bernard
Cochrane, Guy Mellgren, Ed Runge and Dana Seaverns.
It was through the efforts of Garret F. VanWart,
then director of the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in
Milton, and member of the South Shore Chapter, that
permission was obtained from the Metropolitan District
Commission to excavate at the pond. The continued
interest and support of the M.D.C. in the Ponkapoag
excavations is greatly appreciated by the chapter,
especially the untiring efforts of M.D.C. patrolmen in
preventing vandalism to the site and its adjacent
buildings.
Special recognition goes to Paul Ryll for his help in
preparing the topographical and grid maps for this
publication.