DNREC archaeologist John McCarthy to speak at Prime Hook Sept. 14

Registered Professional Archaeologist John P. McCarthy will be Prime Hook Refuge's featured speaker at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14, in the Visitors Center. McCarthy has been involved in cultural resources management and historic preservation work for nearly 40 years, and he currently works for the State Parks Division of DNREC.

His presentation will provide an overview of what archaeologists know about the Native Americans who occupied central Delaware over 10,000 years ago, with particular focus on the greater Dover area. McCarthy says over time, prehistoric nomadic hunters became increasingly hunter-gatherers, then gatherer-hunters, before becoming semi-sedentary horticulturists. McCarthy's program will describe some of the evidence for these changes as well as methods of ongoing archaeological research. He will be bringing select prehistoric artifacts for close-up viewing.

McCarthy will also talk about opportunities for the public to get their hands dirty working alongside professional field archaeologists through DNREC's Time Travelers Volunteer Project, in which volunteers assist in the collection and processing of artifacts from historically significant sites throughout the state.

Seating for this event is limited, and reservations are required. Light refreshments will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m. Prime Hook Refuge is at 11978 Turkle Pond Road off Route 16, Broadkill Road. For more information or to reserve a space, call 302-684-8419.