IUP Archaeology Field School students work in Newport outside of Blairsville on Monday, August 5, 2019.
IUP Students and their professors are finding evidence that humans may have been in the area of Newport Village over 8,000 years ago.
According to a news release, IUP professors Dr. Ben Ford and Dr. Bill Chadwick have overseen the efforts of 17 IUP students over the last six weeks while they mapped, dug and explored the Newport Village area. The evidence that they found concerned stone debris and waste left behind when man made tools and arrowheads. The discovery of the stone flakes confirms to them that life existed that long ago. The excavation site is where Black Lick Creek meets the Conemaugh River.
Other IUP students will study what was found at the dig site throughout the academic year to further pinpoint details and develop conclusions about the people 8,000 years ago. The students wrap up the dig on Friday.
(IUP Archaeology Field School students work in Newport outside of Blairsville on Monday, August 5, 2019. Photo provided by IUP)
