The 2014 Meeting, held on January 25 at the Smith Middle School in Glastonbury CT, was highlighted by the presence of Dr. Stephen Silliman, Professor of Anthropology at University of Massachusetts Boston, who discussed a long-term collaborative archaeological project between the University and the Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation. As alluded to in the 2014 Meeting Flyer, the study has focused on several issues:

When studying Native American history in New England, several critical issues face archaeologists:

> How do we measure cultural change and continuity in the past. For example, is Native American peoples' adoption of metal cooking implements an indicator of the peoples' acculturation of European culture, or simply an effort at the continuation of Native American ways of life while incorporating more efficient ways of doing particular tasks?

> What are the implications of these concepts and interpretations on political and heritage issues today? Implications here include recognition / non-recognition of tribes as being "real" Native American tribes by the Federal government.

> What role does community-based archaeology (i.e., including Native American peoples in archaeological projects) play in addressing some of these issues?

To access the Program accompanying this meeting, please click 2014 Meeting Program.


Preceding this was the "business" portion of the meeting. Highlights included the following:

> Outgoing FOSA President Cynthia Redman noted an upcoming trip to Meadowcroft Rockshelter Archaeological Site, subject of the 2009 Annual Meeting which was discussed by Dr. James Adovasio. Cynthia also noted that this will be Nick Bellantoni's last meeting as Connecticut State Archaeologist, as he's retiring this year.

> Recording Secretary Jim Trocchi provided a year-in-review summary of FOSA's 2013 activities.

> Treasurer Dreda Hendsey summarized FOSA's financial condition as of the end of the year. (It's good.)

> State Archaeologist Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni gave a 2013 year-in-review summary of his activities. He also mentioned the new exhibit which is currently at the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History on the archaeological photographs of John Spaulding. (The exhibit on the campus of the University of Connecticut, 2019 Hillside Road in Storrs, CT 06269. Phone 860-486-4460 for details.) And he expressed his sincere thanks to Cynthia Redman for her work as FOSA President, and for the efforts of FOSA itself in helping him perform his tasks as State Archaeologist.

> Lee West, filling in for Dan Cruson, gave the Archaeological Society of Connecticut (ASC) talk, discussing the ongoing cooperative relationship between FOSA and the ASC. He noted the next ASC meeting would be on May 3 in Barkhampstead, with the morning session being devoted to presentations and the afternoon session being a tour by Ken Feder of a sculpture quarry.

> Mike Cahill of Nominations presented an overview of what the FOSA Board of Directors does, and presided over the confirmation of the reelection of 4 current and 3 new Board members.

> New FOSA President Mandy Ranslow announced that this year's Certificate of Appreciation would be awarded to Paulettte Buchanan for the extensive work she did in cataloging the meterials of the Douglas Jordan Library that OSA had inherited, and then the library and materials of the Gungywamp Society after it disbanded. A facsimilie of Paulettec's award can be viewed clicking .

(Images in this section courtesy of Ken and Bonnie Beatrice.)