Indiana Jones: Myth, Reality And 21st Century Archaeology

New York City is considered the cultural and commercial capital of North America. Was it always this way? How did the city evolve into such an active hub where diverse peoples and cultures mixed and mingled to produce this dynamic metropolis? This episode explores the practice of “urban archaeology”, documenting the city’s emergence from prehistoric times (15,000 years ago) through the period of Euroamerican contact (commonly A.D.1492), and on to the present. We discuss the history of local archaeological practice and the novel applications of archival research and scientific techniques to “dig” in the complex maze of subsurface utilities and structures beneath city streets. We learn how historic preservation law accommodates protection of cultural resources from development interests. Some of the more recent finds and projects are discussed with professionals from private and university archaeologicalsectors, as well as the regulatory agencies that oversee this work.