Smuttynose Archaeology & History Book
UNDER THE ISLES OF SHOALS
Archaeology & Discovery on Smuttynose Island
BY J. Dennis Robinson
The serene sloping lawn of Smuttynose Island is, in fact, a time machine. Only two buildings survive on this flat primitive spot, ten miles out to see from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But look deeper. The thin layers of soil that cling to the rocky island are thick with treasure. No, this is not the imaginary pirate gold of romantic lore. This is rich new data about our shared American past.
Native Americans hunted here 6,000 years ago. Hundreds of European fishermen salted and dried their prized Atlantic cod on these rocks in the dawning days of the American colony. There was an ancient tavern here back when the Isles of Shoals were an important staging point for New England trade. The hardy fishing families who lived here were eventually displaced by Boston tourists visiting the Mid-Ocean House. But the first Shoals hotel has also disappeared, leaving only buried clues.
In just four years of an ongoing “dig” at the Isles of Shoals, Nathan Hamilton and his archaeology students have unearthed 250,000 artifacts. Those bones, stones, and fragments of human occupation tell volumes about life on a rock. And tiny buried shells may reveal secrets of climate change.
For those familiar with the romantic island legends of poet Celia Thaxter, this book offers a fresh and surprising perspective. For those unfamiliar with the nine tiny islands, the adventure is just beginning as we join the young archaeologists UNDER THE ISLES OF SHOALS.
This book includes over 150 images plus five original illustrations by Bill Paarlberg. Co-designed by J. Dennis Robinson and Grace Peire for the Portsmouth Marine Society Press 2012, Oversized paperback, $30
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Dennis Robinson writes books about American history for young and old readers from his office in historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire near the swirling Piscataqua River where he is also a popular newspaper columnist, lecturer, and editor of the award-winning history website SeacoastNH.com. He is a long-time steward of Smuttynose Island.and also author of MYSTERY ON THE ISLES OF SHOALS about the 1873 Smuttynose ax murders.
Archaeology & Discovery on Smuttynose Island
BY J. Dennis Robinson
The serene sloping lawn of Smuttynose Island is, in fact, a time machine. Only two buildings survive on this flat primitive spot, ten miles out to see from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But look deeper. The thin layers of soil that cling to the rocky island are thick with treasure. No, this is not the imaginary pirate gold of romantic lore. This is rich new data about our shared American past.
Native Americans hunted here 6,000 years ago. Hundreds of European fishermen salted and dried their prized Atlantic cod on these rocks in the dawning days of the American colony. There was an ancient tavern here back when the Isles of Shoals were an important staging point for New England trade. The hardy fishing families who lived here were eventually displaced by Boston tourists visiting the Mid-Ocean House. But the first Shoals hotel has also disappeared, leaving only buried clues.
In just four years of an ongoing “dig” at the Isles of Shoals, Nathan Hamilton and his archaeology students have unearthed 250,000 artifacts. Those bones, stones, and fragments of human occupation tell volumes about life on a rock. And tiny buried shells may reveal secrets of climate change.
For those familiar with the romantic island legends of poet Celia Thaxter, this book offers a fresh and surprising perspective. For those unfamiliar with the nine tiny islands, the adventure is just beginning as we join the young archaeologists UNDER THE ISLES OF SHOALS.
This book includes over 150 images plus five original illustrations by Bill Paarlberg. Co-designed by J. Dennis Robinson and Grace Peire for the Portsmouth Marine Society Press 2012, Oversized paperback, $30
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. Dennis Robinson writes books about American history for young and old readers from his office in historic Portsmouth, New Hampshire near the swirling Piscataqua River where he is also a popular newspaper columnist, lecturer, and editor of the award-winning history website SeacoastNH.com. He is a long-time steward of Smuttynose Island.and also author of MYSTERY ON THE ISLES OF SHOALS about the 1873 Smuttynose ax murders.
