The Indian Neck Ossuary: A Preliminary Report, Bradly et al 1982

• Main Authors: Bradley, James W., McManamon, Francis (Center for Digital Antiquity), Mahlstedt, Thomas F., Magennis, Ann L.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: the Digital Archaeological Record
• Subjects: Archaic; Late Archaic; Woodland; Early Woodland; Middle Woodland; Late Woodland; Historic; Euroamerican; Historic Native American; Archaeological Overview; Collections Research; Data Recovery / Excavation; Methodology, Theory, or Synthesis; Reconnaissance / Survey; Records Search / Inventory Checking; Research Design / Data Recovery Plan; Site Evaluation / Testing; Systematic Survey; Fort Hill, Eastham; High Head, North Truro; Indian Neck Ossuary; Nauset Harbor, Eastham; Wellfleet Tavern site; Great Island Tavern site; Settlements; Domestic Structures; Agricultural or Herding; Fish trap / weir; Road, Trail, and Related Structures or Features; Ossuary; Palisade; Artifact Scatter; Hearth; Sheet midden; Trash midden; Refuse pit; Storage pit; Shell Midden; Ceramic; Chipped Stone; Dating Sample; Fauna; Fire Cracked Rock; Glass; Ground Stone; Human Remains; Metal; Shell; Indian; Weir; Archeological Survey
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.6067:XCV81N8058_meta$v=1312559996219

Late in the summer of 1979, human bones were unexpectedly uncovered during the construction of a septic system for summer cottages on Indian Neck, Wellfleet, Massachusetts. National Park Service archeologists, who were conducting a survey of the Cape Cod National Seashore, were contacted and the skeletal remains were identified as Native American . Construction had been halted when the bones were first noticed and it was determined that completion of the septic system would destroy the remaining area in which skeletal remains appeared to be present . Following consultation with the property owner, who could not modify plans in order to avoid the burial area, a decision was made to salvage the archeological deposits, including burials, which were observed. This decision was made in conjunction with Valerie Talmage, State Archeologist, and John Peters, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs. The property owner granted permission for the salvage excavation and delayed completion of his work for three days so that the archeological work could be done. With the concurrence of the Superintendent of Cape Cod National Seashore and with Native American observers present, a crew from the Cape Cod National Seashore Archeological Survey undertook the excavation.