ECU Report: Our Original Litterbugs
This press release describes the Whalen archeology site. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: Jenkins, Leo. "ECU Report: Our Original Litterbugs," April 12, 1970 part of Record Group CH1050, Series 8, Publication File.
Because we hear so much about the problem these days, we may think that modern Americans were the world's first litterbugs. But two East Carolina University anthropoligists are making studies of litterbugs who roamed the Tar Heel State's coastal area nearly one thousand years ago.
The litterbugs under investigation were Indians who populated what is now North Carolina before Europeans began regular trips to the new world.
Dr. Werner Stenzel and Dr. Peter H. Kunkel of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology have identified a spot at the junction of St. Clair Creek and the Pamlico River near Bath, N.C. as sort of a Summer home for weary Indian travelers.
The land on which the studies are being carried out belongs to John Whalen who cooperated with the anthropologists and students by allowing them the freedom to explore the area. The location has been designated "Whalen Site." It is customary to name a site for the person whose property is being used for excavation.
Here, according to ECU anthropologists, groups of Indians nay have established temporary camps and spent several days making use of a catch-your-own seafood dining area. After a few days of fishing and feasting, they would move on to another location, leaving behing shells, bones, arrowheads, and other litter to be excavated and identified by our anthropologists hundreds of years later.
Fortunately for us, the Indians who traveled through this area were terrible litterbugs. However, they left their litter over a broad area and it takes weeks, even months, to locate all of it and make positive identifications. But once this has been done, we will know a great deal about the habits and customs of their society.
The primary purpose of these field trips is to give students of anthropology practical experience in the techniques of archaeological excavation for study and research. But the area in which they are working has been surveyed so that perhaps a by-product of the trip will be the discovery of artifacts.
According to Dr. Kunkel and Dr. Stenzel, the diggings near Bath may continue for some time, depending upon the current findings. They hope to learn as much as possible about the original American "litterbug."
These are busy and eventful days on our campus here at East Carolina University. Campuswide, the schedule is filled with workshops, conferences and other programs involving every department of the University.This week there will be an African studies symposium. Plans are going ahead for a varied program in observance of "Earth Day," concerned with environment. The Spring Music Festival will feature a series of concerts April 29 - May 3.
The National Endowment for the Arts awarded a $1,000 matching grant for the second consecutive year to fund an audience development project including free music for the public.
Educators from four states will come here April 22-23 for a conference and workshop on new and modern techniques and materials for teaching young children in the schools.
And of course there was a reminder that commencement and graduation exercises are just around the corner. The deadline has been set for ordering caps and gowns in time for delivery.
