2016 Annual Meeting Info
The 2016 Annual Meeting, held on January 24, 2016 at Farmington High School, 10 Montieth Drive, Farmington,
CT, was highlighted by the presence of Dr. Richard Boisvert, New Hampshire State Archaeologist, as alluded to in
the Annual Meeting Flyer which can be viewed by clicking
Dr. Boisvert's talk was quite interesting, involving various sites in New Hampshire where Paleoindian
artifacts have been found, as well as various tools used in the analysis of these.
In one segment, Dr. Boisvert discussed the tracing of import and export of 2 different types of rhyolite
artifacts, originating from different sites yet overlapping in the sites where they were found.
In another segment he described how analysis of tool shapes from one part of the country (Texas) aided in
determining the overall shape and use of similar tools in New Hampshire.
In a surprising note, Dr. Boisvert noted a picture of one excavator wearing latex gloves, to prevent
contamination of it with protein traces from her hand. The reason for this precaution is that it's possible to
perform analyses on artifacts to determine what animals it was used on. One of his slides referenced this
laboratory, the Paleo Research Institute in Golden, CO, whose web site is at
For anyone interested in an archaeological write-up on the Mount Jasper site by Dr. Boisvert, please click
> To read an interview with Dr. Boisvert in nhmagazine.com on this subject, please
click
> For information on the State Conservation and Rescue Archaeology Program (SCRAP) in New Hampshire, which is
central to Dr. Boisvert's activities, please click
> For a brief biographical sketch of Dr. Boisvert, at the bottom of this page and taken from this year's
Annual Meeting handout, please click
To access the Program accompanying this meeting, please click
Preceding this was the "business" portion of the meeting. Highlights include:
> Recording Secretary Mike Cahill provided a year-in-review report on FOSA's 2016 activities.
> Jim Trocchi presented the 2016 Treasurer's Report, filling in for Treasurer Dreda Hendsey who was unable
to attend.
> Brian Jones spoke of his work this past year since his becoming Connecticut's State Archaeologist, thanking
FOSA members for all of the invaluable volunteer work they've provided.
> Nick Bellantoni spoke of the activities of the Archaeological Society of Connecticut this past year.
> Scott Brady discussed this year's Nominations to the Board of Directors and for Correspondence Secretary.
> Cynthia Redman presented this year's Certificate Achievement Award to Paul Scannel for his work for both
the past several years, in a number of significant excavations and investigations. A facsimilie of Paul's
certificate, as well as all previous such awards, can be viewed by clicking
.
> All this was kept in motion by FOSA President Mandy Ranslow.
Images in this section courtesy of Mandy Ranslow, Mike Raber, and Jim Hall.
Richard Boisvert received in BA from Beloit College in Massachusetts, and his MA and Ph.D. from the University
of Kentucky. He has conducted field work and research in Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, France and Quebec, as well
as New Hampshire.
After serving as Chief of Review and Compliance for the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, he returned
to his native New Hampshire as Coordinator of the State Conservation and Rescue Archaeology Program (SCRAP) with
the New Hampshire State Historic Preservation Office.
He has directed annual field schools and reserach in New Hampshire since 1988, focusing on Paleoindian topics
for nearly two decades. He was appointed State Archaeologist in 2002 and is the current Deputy State Historic
Preservation Officer. His research interests include the Paleoindian period of the Northeast, lithic technology
and public archaeology.