ADVISORY: Delaware Archeologists and Smithsonian to Announce Major Discovery

DOVER – A team of Delaware archeologists and a preeminent anthropologist from the Smithsonian Institution Wednesday will unveil new findings from a years-long study of an archeological site in the West Rehoboth area.

The discoveries set to be announced were made at what was once a 17th-century homestead and represent a significant expansion of the knowledge of early colonial settlement in Delaware and the Chesapeake region.

Work at the site was conducted by members of the Archeological Society of Delaware in collaboration with the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. Dr. Douglas Owsley of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History was engaged by the state for his expertise in the field of physical anthropology, and his well-known work with early colonial settlements at Jamestown, Va. and St. Mary’s City, Md.

What: Announcement of major archaeological discovery related to 17th century Delaware.

Who: Secretary of State Jeff Bullock
Dr. Douglas Owsley, Division Head of Physical Anthropology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History;
Daniel Griffith, Archaeological Society of Delaware;
Dr. Angela Winand, Head of the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage & Diversity Programs, Delaware Historical Society;
Timothy A. Slavin, Director, Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs;
Members of the Delaware historical and archeological community.

When: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6

Where: Rehoboth Museum, 511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach

Contact: Doug Denison
Delaware Department of State
doug.denison@delaware.gov
302-857-3038