There is absolutely nothing more convincing for me that the Andastes walked on our soil than what I saw when I was invited to see Dick Cowles collection. This collection made up most of the Irwin museum at one time, and is immense. But, I must note that the most enjoyable aspect of my trip was in meeting Dick, Marcia, and their cat, "LaSalle." From the time I walked in their door, I was treated like family...kindred spirits...What an honor. 

Scroll down to see photos from his collection, and don't forget to click here to learn more about Ellsworth Cowles (Dick's father and man who spent most of his life (and more than any other historian ever) exploring and studying Spanish Hill and the Andaste (Susquehannock) Indians) when you are finished!

Cowles Collection Pages

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Dick, Marcia & "LaSalle"

Part of Dick Cowles (Son of Ellsworth Cowles) Private Collection

 

Although his collection spans many NY and Pennsylvania sites, the collection from Spanish Hill was astonishing by itself. And I didn't even see it all yet! Please note that Ellsworth Cowles found two separate sites...one being Andaste (Susquehannock) - and he noted much of his collection being found at  the site of "Carantouan" thus stating his belief that Spanish Hill was indeed the site of Carantouan. But he also found a prehistoric village site at the foot of south west end of the hill.  Dick also told me that there were artifacts found from many different tribes such as Seneca, Lamokin, and that the two main divisions of Native Americans in our area were between the Algonquin nation and the Iroquois nation.  I personally feel that there were three "nations" in our area - to include the "Andastoe Nation," with the site of Carantouan (Spanish Hill) being their northward looking citadel and quite probably site for religious and other ceremonies, such as Brule's visit. At any rate, here is more of his collection that I was able to capture on my digital camera - (sorry the quality could have been better!) Mound Builder Items This is a card of miscellaneous artifacts found near the hill - Note the head of the birdstone - which is of the Mound Builder culture.       This is an actual picture of another birdstone that Ellsworth Cowles found less than a mile north of Spanish Hill.     This is the broken (tail area) birdstone.  Dick and I laughed that it was a "stone railroad spike" but he has had professionals now tell him it is part of a birdstone - but not the same style as the one above. This one was found at Cayuta Creek, just below Nichols, NY. About 12 - 15 miles due east from Spanish Hill.     This is the 4th birdstone found in the area - again - this was found in Nichols, NY. NOTE: This artifact is not in the Cowles collection - this was in the Percy Lang collection.     Mound Builder's axe This was found on Spanish Hill and it is strange that it was found there, since there is no data supporting that any people from a mound builder tribe were in this area.   I know of three other of these axes found in this area and in private collections. FOUND AT SPANISH HILL More items form the Cowles Collection     FOUND AT SPANISH HILL   Clay Pipe Thought to be Owascan       Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: Items found around the "east side palisades on Spanish Hill" - 1931   FOUND AT SPANISH HILL       FOUND AT SPANISH HILL   Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: Found on "south of ditch and line fence," NW of swamp and refuse pit.  A grave with pipe and large grave stone notched at the top"...Carantouan, South Waverly, NY" (Note - grave stones were a Christian ritual... Although we know that the Andastes in Contestoga were Christianized, were there Christianized Andastes at Spanish Hill?)         Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: Rejects - Nodular Flint Broken Point Tip X-Y Carolina & Coxsacky Quartz Flats between Spanish Hill & River, Waverly NY - (1930?)   FOUND AT SPANISH HILL       FOUND AT SPANISH HILL   Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: Broken Projectile Points Shanks Drill Jaw Flats between Spanish Hill & River, Waverly NY - (1930?)       Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: Shanks with convex, straight, concave bases - Genesee - 3000 - 750 BC   FOUND AT SPANISH HILL     FOUND AT SPANISH HILL   Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: Found between Spanish Hill and River     Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: TOP of Spanish Hill, 1910, 1916   FOUND AT SPANISH HILL       FOUND AT SPANISH HILL   Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: South Waverly, PA North Side Palisade     Ellsworth Cowles Notation states: South Waverly PA, Spanish Hill and River 1908 FOUND AT SPANISH HILL   Understanding Types of Arrowheads from our area:   Iroquois arrowheads looked triangular  --  (Andastes are considered to be Iroquois for this example) Then they would split the stick - place the arrowhead inside the split and then wrap around the end to tighten the grip on the arrowhead.   Algonquin arrowheads were notched at the base - were placed at the side of the stick and then wrapped in a "figure eight style"   Dick Cowles example of Algonquin arrowhead placement technique As Dick showed me, they could also be placed in a split end of the stick and then tied into place...and in doing this, would ensure the the arrow could NOT be pulled back out without great pain and damage. Instead it would have had to be pushed all of the way through or cut out...