'Speaking Among the Ancestors' Seminar Saturday, April 30

SALISBURY, MD---In February 2004, a Salisbury construction crew uncovered an ancient Native American ossuary, a communal burial. This discovery initiated a series of meetings between Native Americans, archeologists, the current property owner, judicial officials, the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, the Maryland Historical Trust, Salisbury University and other local organizations and individuals. Final discussions led to an unprecedented agreement between the Native American community and archeologists, whereby a team of physical archeologists were permitted to recover the ossuary and examine the physical remains prior to their reburial. SU’s Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture examines the issues surrounding the decision during the seminar “Speaking Among the Ancestors: The Salisbury Burial Site, Descendant Natives, Archaeologists and the Public” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in Henson Science Hall Room 103 on the SU campus. This seminar provides an opportunity to reveal to a wider audience the results of the recovery and subsequent investigation of the Salisbury ossuary while facilitating a dialogue between two groups, the Native American community and the archeologists involved. The seminar begins with presentations by Dr. Elizabeth Ragan, academic archeologist; field archeologist Ed Otter, forensic archeologist Dana Kollmann and regional archeologist Virginia Busby.  A 10-minute question-and-answer session follows each presentation.  The seminar concludes with a panel discussion of representatives from the Native American community, including Sewell Fitzhugh and Mary Hope. Admission is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6312 or visit the Nabb Research Center Web site at http://nabbhistory.salisbury.edu.