PARK RIDGE, N.J.—A team of archaeologists is set to dig in a public park here as early as May 20 in hopes of finding fragments of shells used centuries ago to make wampum, which was then fashioned into highly sought-after bracelets, necklaces and breastplate and traded to Native Americans for other goods.
Park Ridge was a hotbed of wampum production in the early to late 1800s and much production occurred at the Campbell Brothers Wampum Mill, based near the Electric Dam in Silver Lake Park.
Basically, wampum was a traditional shell bead used by various Indian tribes for ceremonial or tribal traditions, and as gifts.
For about a decade around 1650, wampum was accepted as currency. It lost favor, then was used more as barter in trading with Native Americans, often for furs and pelts.
The John C. Storms Museum at Pascack Historical Society, 19 Ridge Ave., houses a collection of wampum production artifacts, including hollowed shellbeads and the world’s only surviving wampum drilling machine—invented by a son of John W. Campbell in the mid-1800s.
On May 20, Harvard archeologist Eric Johnson, and his collaborator, Chris Matthews, a Montclair State University archeology professor, along with MSU graduate students, will begin to dig in a portion of Silver Lake park that Johnson has mapped and was near the site of the Campbell Wampum Mill.
Johnson is writing his doctoral dissertation on wampum production and its role in economic interdependence between production and consumption 1750–1900.
Can you dig it?
During the excavation’s first phase, the team will dig holes along grid lines approximately 2 feet deep and 18 inches wide using a shovel and then sift the dirt from each hole hoping to find debris and remnants from wampum production that occurred nearly 150 years ago.
Should remnants and pieces of wampum production be found in phase one, Johnson said a second phase will commence involving larger holes being dug and more dirt being screened for artifacts.
Johnson said he does not know what he will find, but hopes that he finds shards and pieces of shells from the wampum production mill.
He said based on the Campbell family’s business ledgers preserved at the Pascack Historical Society, it appears the mill at one point may have employed half the town’s population before the wampum drilling machine was invented.
‘Bead production debris’
“Our primary goal is to find shellbead production debris which shows evidence of human modification,” said Johnson. “The other goal is to find out if beadmaking was done on this site…the [wampum] production debris can give us clues about the product being produced here, such as whether it was standardized and maybe how efficient the drilling machine was in increasing production of hair pipes.” Hair pipes are slim, hollow pipes derived from whelk or conch shells and strung together to create larger decorative pieces including the breastplates often used by tribal chiefs and for Native American ceremonies.
Johnson said he welcomes the public to come to the site and ask questions, and said the site will most likely initially appear to be a field of flags where holes will be dug. All holes will be re-filled when excavation and dirt screening are completed, he said.
He said he was working with Park Ridge Mayor Keith Misciagna—an enthusiastic supporter of the dig—to make information about the excavation available and likely post updates to the borough website.
Engaging residents
Misciagna called Pascack Press last week to reveal details of the planned dig and share his interest and excitement for the archeological adventure.
The mayor said he hopes to engage residents in the upcoming archeological exploration and said a short conversation with Johnson piqued his curiosity about the long-gone Campbell Wampum Mill and its role in Park Ridge commerce and development.
Johnson said he anticipates finding other types of human-produced artifacts including ceramics, pottery shards, glass and assorted trash from 19th century use and disposal.
“We’re going to uncover part of the archeological history of Park Ridge here,” said Johnson, noting similar “trash” is located during most archeological digs.
Johnson said a map from 1840 depicts the site of the Campbell Wampum Mill, and noted the mill was making shellbeads and hair pipes for use in wampum production until it went out of business due to wampum being made by using bones instead of shells.
What’s more, historical accounts note most Indian tribes had been placed on reservations by the late 19th century, severely restricting the wampum trade.
The wampum mill was established in Park Ridge around 1775, and the Campbell family made wampum during the winter when farming was no longer possible.
The Campbells purchased shells from the fish market in New York City and sponsored quahog (clam) shucking contests in Rockaway to get the shells for wampum production.
Many shells purchased at the fish markets were used as ballast on boats coming into port and could be had for a nominal cost. They were transported by horse and wagon back to Park Ridge, said Johnson.
Shovel test pit survey
Johnson’s team will be spending the first week conducting a so-called shovel-test-pit survey and mapping the excavation site.
The holes will be hand-dug with shovels and trowels and site landscape features and recovered artifacts logged in a digital database, said Johnson.
All information will be shared with Park Ridge, Pascack Historical Society and the state Historic Preservation Office, said Johnson.
Johnson said he would be interested to talk to any residents who have found seashell fragments while digging in local yards or gardens.
In addition, he said he welcomes questions from the public and may be announcing other ways for the public to be involved.
“I’d like this excavation project to be as public as possible. Bergen County and specifically Park Ridge was at one point in history the heartland of the wampum industry and that’s why we’re here,” he said.
The John C. Storms Museum invites all to a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 12 for its grand reopening after renovations.
The museum set Oct. 13 for its next regularly scheduled open day, with family friendly activities planned. Check its website or Facebook page for programs and special events.