Inroduction to the John Hollister Site

Summary

The John Hollister Site in Glastonbury, Connecticut was occupied from at least 1650 to about 1715. Since that time it has rested quietly beneath an isolated pasture.  Recent archaeological investigations of the site documents how effectively the Hollisters and their tenants were able to adapt to this new land and become socially and economically successful, despite many environmental, social, cultural and political challenges. The site is unique to Connecticut in providing such a rich picture of 17th century life. The pristine preservation of faunal, botanical and other material remains within buried cellar sediments provides a unique opportunity to document this critical period of English adaptation to the colonial frontier and provides direct evidence of cooperation with the local Wangunk people.  This introduction to the session will summarize the historical documentation of the Hollister family and introduce the results of the 2016 and 2017 excavations.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The John Hollister Site: A 17th Century Fortified Farm Complex in Glastonbury, Connecticut   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 391