OLLI-HIST-2248 - Deep Presence: 13,000 Years of Native American History

Course Description

Join us for a thought-provoking book discussion group centered on A Deep Presence: 13,000 Years of Native American History by Robert G. Goodby. Over the course of three session, we will embark on a fascinating journey through New Hampshire's rich Native American past and delve into the complex nature of "tribal" identity within Ndakinna, the ancestral homeland of the Western Abenaki people. We will explore the intricate question of tribal identity, the challenges of preserving ancient sites, and the archaeological evidence that paints a vivid picture of Abenaki life—through artifacts, food remains, and seasonal migration patterns that spanned over 400 generations. Then we will take time to focus on three remarkable archaeological sites: the Swanzey Fish Dam, the Raft Bridge site, and the Wantastiquet Mountain site in Hinsdale. Finally, we will dive into the 12,600-year-old Tenant Swamp site in Keene, where Paleoindian caribou hunters braved harsh winters in hide-covered tents. Required reading for the course: A Deep Presence: 13,000 Years of Native American History by Robert G. Goodby. ISBN: 978-1942155409.