There’s a small, crescent-shaped lake in central New York in the Finger Lakes Region called Lamoka Lake. It’s located between Seneca and Keuka Lake actually, but it’s not big enough to qualify as one of the Finger Lakes itself. It’s next to the small town of Tyrone – a town with a population of around 1,600 people – and the lake itself covers just 1.2 square miles.
However, despite its small size, this lake is notable for historical reasons. Archeological excavations in and around this lake found evidence of human habitation going back as far as 3500 BC. This is important in American and world history because the discoveries at this lake were the very first clear evidence of an Archaic hunting and gathering culture living in this part of the United States. Read on to learn more.
Lamoka Lake is a great place to spend an afternoon. It’s a small lake that is often overlooked due to its proximity to the larger and more popular lakes nearby. That fact makes this lake quiet and serene, and the perfect place for boating, fishing, and relaxing.
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This lake is protected because it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1961 because of the artifacts found there by archaeologists.
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The first excavations at this site were conducted between 1925 and 1928. Between 1958 and 1962, scientists from the New York State Museum continued to excavate and research the area. Other groups have continued to dig here since then and all groups have found many interesting things.
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Archeologists have found many projectile points like this one that were used for hunting.
National Parks Service/Fort Stanwix National Monument Museum Collection FOST 1984
These scientists believe that the people that left these things behind likely hunted with spears. They used spear-launchers, or atlatls, like this one pictured, to throw their spears farther, harder, and with better accuracy.
National Parks Service
Researchers also found a variety of other tools, including polished stone tools and tools made out of animal bones. They also found evidence of fire pits, possible floors of homes, and burial sites.
Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro IV, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Although these researchers have learned a lot about the people who lived in this area long ago through their excavations, many questions remain. It’s likely that we will never know the answers to some of them.
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For example, how did the native people of this area get their hands on the ocean seashell beads they used in jewelry, since they lived far from the ocean? Did people live here continuously from the Archaic period onward? If not, why not? Why has so little pottery been found here?
Jason Hayes/Google Local What were the homes of these people like? How was their culture similar and different to others during this period, before this period, and after this period–and to cultures in various places around the world?
These are great questions to contemplate while you relax near Lamoka Lake. This lake is lovely; it’s no wonder so many people have relaxed on its shores for thousands of years.
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If you’re interested in the ancient history of New York, Lamoka Lake is as old as human history gets in the Empire State. Although there’s no historic site to actually visit here, just knowing that you are in the same place that history happened is a really special feeling. You can learn a bit more about the lives and culture of the Lamoka people on the Fort Stanwix National Monument website.
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National Parks Service/Fort Stanwix National Monument Museum Collection FOST 1984
National Parks Service
Nicholas Dominic Cavallaro IV, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ed Dobrowski/Google Local
Jason Hayes/Google Local
What were the homes of these people like? How was their culture similar and different to others during this period, before this period, and after this period–and to cultures in various places around the world?
If you’re interested in learning more about the people of the Archaic period and their structures, check out this post about Poverty Point in Louisiana: Spend The Day Exploring These Ancient Earth Mounds In Louisiana
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Address: Lamoka Lake, Tyrone, NY 14815, USA
