Papers by Scott Ferrara
Suffolk County Archaeological Association Newsletter, 2020
The SAA Archaeological Record , 2020
Posters by Scott Ferrara
Least Cost Path Modeling has been used extensively in archaeology. While it has often been used ... more Least Cost Path Modeling has been used extensively in archaeology. While it has often been used in a predictive approach to find sites and routes it is less commonly used in the inverse, that is to test documented paths. Wallace’s 1965 text, Indian Paths of Pennsylvania has been widely cited and used, but little computational analysis has been performed. How intentional was the decision to place a path in a given area? While there are material and environmental factors at play, humans are not restricted only to these factors regarding the placement of paths. The results of our calculations show relatively straightforward conclusions. Slope alone is typically not a factor that dictated where a path was started and maintained. Time and energy (Tobler’s and kCal) are more closely related to the historically documented paths though, rarely have any of the calculations produced paths that are identical to the
Thesis by Scott Ferrara
During the seventeenth century in the Mohawk Valley, European trade goods became commonplace. How... more During the seventeenth century in the Mohawk Valley, European trade goods became commonplace. However, little is known about how colonialism impacted Mohawk agricultural practice and foodways. This thesis presents paleoethnobotanical findings from ten Mohawk archaeological sites ranging from the Middle Woodland to the Early Historic period that demonstrate change and persistence in foodways, and medical practices associated with European influences. Similarities and differences in Mohawk macrobotanical remains are examined through density and ubiquity analyses. These findings reflect marginal changes in traditional food preferences and elucidate colonialism experienced by the Haudenosaunee of the Northeastern United States after the arrival of Europeans. Furthermore, this research contributes to broader understandings of colonial influences on the region and the continuity of this influence into contemporary Mohawk culture.
Field Reports by Scott Ferrara
Actuncan Report for the 2019 Field Season, 2020
Without fail, the Galvez and Juan families permitted us to excavate on their lands, and we apprec... more Without fail, the Galvez and Juan families permitted us to excavate on their lands, and we appreciate their patience for any inconveniences that our work might have caused them. Azucena Galvez's hospitality and excellent food sustained us through the summer, and we thank her for all her hard work and good humor. The entire Galvez family--Chena, Linda, Alfonso, Ramon, Alfonso Jr., and Gwendolyn--provided us with more than just food and shelter, but truly a home away from home. Rudy Juan was a source of valuable information as always, and we want to thank him and Dominic Juan for their continued support of our project. We helped in the laboratory washing and recording artifacts. Many of these men have worked on the project for years, and they are excellent people and crew. A special thanks to Luciano and Fidelia Requena for providing us with a jute feast! Our project has long talked about trying jute soup, and it was very special for you to bring us in to your home to make this happen.
Online Article by Scott Ferrara
Atlas Obscura, 2017
A centuries-old tradition brings Inca infrastructure into the present.
Books by Scott Ferrara
Accused of Witchcraft in New York, 2023
The history of infamous witch trials and witchcraft accusations is deeper than just those most of... more The history of infamous witch trials and witchcraft accusations is deeper than just those most often discussed at Salem. The Empire State has had numerous moments of pandemonium over the potential existence of witches.
From Native Americans viewing European colonists as witches in the Mohawk Valley to witchcraft hysteria among early Long Island colonial settlements, the history of New York state's witchcraft accusations encompases all regions and communities in the state.
Join author Scott R. Ferrara as he presents harrowing narratives of those who were accused of witchcraft, the feverish community dramas that resulted and the lives of those who faced their community as an outsider.
Articles by Scott Ferrara
Research Reports in Belizean Archaeology, 2023
For the Maya, the Late Preclassic period was a time of growth and consolidation; populations boom... more For the Maya, the Late Preclassic period was a time of growth and consolidation; populations boomed and a common set of cultural ideas spread across the Maya Lowlands. This process is evident in the widespread presence of Chicanel Horizon ceramics, the dispersal of a unified Late Preclassic figural style found on mural and carved monuments, and the construction of a common set of architectural forms including canonical Triadic Groups. In the lower Mopan River Valley, the adoption of these ideas is evident in the rapid growth of the major center of Actuncan, Belize, which contains each of these cultural forms. This presentation reports on several years of preliminary research by the Actuncan Archaeological Project into the site's triadic temple group. The authors have undertaken original documentation of the site's extensive looters' tunnels and trenches, two seasons of original excavations, and archival work to recover original notes and drawings from research by James McGovern under the auspices of the Xunantunich Archaeological Project during the 1990s. Drawing on these data, we present initial interpretations of the sequence of construction of Structure 4, the largest and central pyramid of Actuncan's Triadic Group. This includes evidence for eleven major construction phases, which are described in detail. We contextualize these findings by explaining our observations of regional trends in Triadic Group construction, which drive our ongoing research.
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Papers by Scott Ferrara
Posters by Scott Ferrara
Thesis by Scott Ferrara
Field Reports by Scott Ferrara
Online Article by Scott Ferrara
Books by Scott Ferrara
From Native Americans viewing European colonists as witches in the Mohawk Valley to witchcraft hysteria among early Long Island colonial settlements, the history of New York state's witchcraft accusations encompases all regions and communities in the state.
Join author Scott R. Ferrara as he presents harrowing narratives of those who were accused of witchcraft, the feverish community dramas that resulted and the lives of those who faced their community as an outsider.
Articles by Scott Ferrara
From Native Americans viewing European colonists as witches in the Mohawk Valley to witchcraft hysteria among early Long Island colonial settlements, the history of New York state's witchcraft accusations encompases all regions and communities in the state.
Join author Scott R. Ferrara as he presents harrowing narratives of those who were accused of witchcraft, the feverish community dramas that resulted and the lives of those who faced their community as an outsider.