Native American Archaeology

In the 1960s, former state archaeologist Robert E. Funk excavated the West Athens Hill site in Greene County. West Athens Hill is well known as one of the oldest prehistoric archaeological sites in New York, dating to circa 12,500 years ago, and documents one of the earliest encampments of Native Americans who colonized New York at the end of the Ice Age. Funk's investigations revealed how these first peoples of New York systematically mined the distinctive green chert found on this hilltop outcrop to fashion spear points and other stone tools to support their hunting and gathering life way.