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. Embark on a fascinating journey through New Hampshire's Native American past, delving into the complex nature of ‘tribal’ identity within Ndakinna, the ancestral homeland of the Western Abenaki people. Explore the intricate question of tribal identity and the challenges of preserving ancient sites. Examine archaeological evidence that paints a vivid picture of Abenaki life—through artifacts, food remains, and seasonal migration patterns that spanned 400 generations. Focus on three remarkable archaeological sites—the Swanzey Fish Dam, the Raft Bridge site, and the Wantastiquet Mountain site in Hinsdale—and 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.