The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Local historians Pete Davis of Rockbridge County and Michael Hayslett of Clifton Forge presented “Indian Implements” at the Clifton Forge Public Library’s Michael Armstrong Community Room, Thursday evening, to an audience of a little of over 50 people.
After an introduction by Martha Edwards, a member of the Friends of the Library, Hayslett began the presentation with an introductory slide show on the historic presence of Native American Indians in the greater Alleghany Highlands.
Hayslett opened by dedicating the evening to his friend and neighbor, Tom McClung who passed away unexpectedly, on Wednesday.
Hayslett described McClung was “an amateur archaeologist who had worked on a number of digs in the region and had expected to be in attendance to eagerly share some of his displays.”
“I was looking quite forward to having him here this evening but that is not the case,” added Hayslett before passing around several artifacts that belonged to McClung.
“I will try to condense into 27 minutes what would take at least four years of undergraduate college to convey,” said Hayslett.
He commenced to present an“ idea of a broad brush cross section of Indians in our region.”
The presentation covered three categories: Archaic; Prehistoric (late Woodland); and Historic, focusing on the middle period.
“Our area, prehistorically, was as attractive then as it is today based on the abundance of natural resources,” said Hayslett.
He further explained that the position of the Alleghany Highlands at the head of multiple watersheds, to include the pastures (Calf, Cow, and Bull) was home to buffalo, white tail deer, elk and fish since the dawn of time.
“The Native Americans were divided based on their language group,” said Hayslett. The tribes that were in and near the Highlands at contact with the English are as follows: Monacan (Tutelo); Iroquios (6 nations – North); Cherokee (South); Powhatan (East); Shawnee (West); Mingo (West) and Leni Lenape (Delaware).
He showed an illustration of a representation of an Indian village that existed 600 years ago, where Lake Moomaw now sits; burial mounds in the area and artifacts from the Monacan Ancestral Museum in Amherst County.
Hayslett then introduced Davis, also known as a primitive technologist. He described Davis as “a practitioner, who has done a great deal of study of artifacts.”
“He is very good at identification of artifact types, and the materials that they are made of,” said Hayslett.
Davis’ part of the program included an interactive demonstration of stone tool-making and prehistoric techniques.
Refreshments were served after the presentation.
Thursday’s discussion was part of the Clifton Forge Library’s display of “Pioneer Accoutrements” during the month of January. Earlier in the month, Hayslett coordinated a presentation on “Pioneer Gear.”———————————————————————————————————————————Local historians, Pete Davis, left, of Rockbridge County, and Michael Hayslett of Clifton Forge presented “Indian Implements” to a captive audience Thursday evening at the Clifton Forge Public Library. The library showcased a display of “Pioneer Accoutrements” during the month of January. (P.E. Marshall Photo)
