More than 12,000 years ago, small groups of Paleoindians endured frigid winters on the edge of a small river in what would become Keene, New Hampshire. In 2009, an archaeological survey for the new Keene Middle School discovered the remains of their stay and brought to light one of the oldest Native American sites in New England. In this program, Professor Robert Goodby examines the remarkably intact site which produced evidence of four separate dwellings containing over 200 stone tools and fragments of burned animal bone. These early people, rather than being isolated stone-age nomads, were part of a social network that extended across much of northeastern North America. The discovery and excavation of the site was required by the National Historic Preservation Act, a frequently maligned piece of legislation that in this instance worked to save an irreplaceable piece of the human story in the Monadnock region.  

This program is sponsored by the NH Humanities and is free and open to the public.

Please note that the program will be held at the Exeter Town Hall and mask-wearing is strongly encouraged. The program will not be filmed for viewing later. We are offering the program LIVE on Zoom, our Facebook page and it will be broadcast on ExeterTV Channel 98. Registration is required to participate through Zoom; register here.