J. Dennis Robinson’s, Under the Isles of Shoals, is a compelling and carefully constructed narrative that examines the archaeology, history, and ever-evolving mystery of the Isles of Shoals. A steward of Smuttynose Island, (one of the nine islands consisting of the Isles of Shoals), and an author of American history for both young and old readers, Robinson, crafts a stirring narrative based on archaeological research, historical records, oral history, and legends, that satisfies both novice and amateure. Chapter by chapter, Robison takes the reader on a journey through the complex, and intimate history of the Isles of Shoals. From wading through the peaty soils of Smuttynose in search of evidence of prehistoric hunting ground, to the bustling
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Robinson, along with his wife, Mary-Ellen Burke, has been long-time stewards of Smuttynose Island. As a steward, Robison is required to live in the restored Haley House, doing chores (i.e. digging a drainage ditch) and greeting tourists from the Maine and New Hampshire coastline, offering Shoals history, and enforcing guidelines. As a long-time steward, Robison has become intimately involved with the landscape, learning about the history and research being done on the nine islands of that compose the Shoals. In his writing, the reader can sense the passion, and love Robinson feels for the islands. This intense connection to the Isles adds to the credibility of Robinson’s discussion, as he is writing from the perspective of someone who knows the islands (specifically Smuttynose), deeply and intimately. Furthermore, because of Robin’s intimacy, and close-connectedness to the island, (i.e. living on and caring for Smuttynose) Robinson has developed meaningful connections with Archaeologists, such as Professor Nate Hamilton of the University of Southern Maine, Robin Hadlock Seeley of Cornell University, and countless others. These invaluable connections, and insights, further add to the credibility, specifically in the discussion of the archaeological research of the Isles of Shoals, as he is able to consult professional archaeologists for their research, opinions, and understandings. …show more content…
Largely shrouded in mystery, the lives of Native Americans are pieced together through historical records, oral traditions of the Wabanaki, and artifacts from earlier archaeological digs. According to Robbins, throughout the various archaeological digs, their was little evidence of Prehistoric peoples, however this changed with the discovery of the A-horizon (the prehistoric surface of the island where the clay and silt deposits are trapped thereby protected from the outside environment). In this A-Horizon Archaeologists and their students discovered large amounts of prehistoric artifacts, (i.e. stone tools, pottery, burned bone, and flakes of stone) which all point as evidence towards Native American occupation during the Middle/Late Archaic, and Ceramic Periods. Through the use of radiocarbon dating and the piecing together of artifacts, archaeologists can finally begin to understand the Prehistoric period of the Isles of Shoals, and begin to solve the puzzle that is the Isles of the
Robinson, along with his wife, Mary-Ellen Burke, has been long-time stewards of Smuttynose Island. As a steward, Robison is required to live in the restored Haley House, doing chores (i.e. digging a drainage ditch) and greeting tourists from the Maine and New Hampshire coastline, offering Shoals history, and enforcing guidelines. As a long-time steward, Robison has become intimately involved with the landscape, learning about the history and research being done on the nine islands of that compose the Shoals. In his writing, the reader can sense the passion, and love Robinson feels for the islands. This intense connection to the Isles adds to the credibility of Robinson’s discussion, as he is writing from the perspective of someone who knows the islands (specifically Smuttynose), deeply and intimately. Furthermore, because of Robin’s intimacy, and close-connectedness to the island, (i.e. living on and caring for Smuttynose) Robinson has developed meaningful connections with Archaeologists, such as Professor Nate Hamilton of the University of Southern Maine, Robin Hadlock Seeley of Cornell University, and countless others. These invaluable connections, and insights, further add to the credibility, specifically in the discussion of the archaeological research of the Isles of Shoals, as he is able to consult professional archaeologists for their research, opinions, and understandings. …show more content…
Largely shrouded in mystery, the lives of Native Americans are pieced together through historical records, oral traditions of the Wabanaki, and artifacts from earlier archaeological digs. According to Robbins, throughout the various archaeological digs, their was little evidence of Prehistoric peoples, however this changed with the discovery of the A-horizon (the prehistoric surface of the island where the clay and silt deposits are trapped thereby protected from the outside environment). In this A-Horizon Archaeologists and their students discovered large amounts of prehistoric artifacts, (i.e. stone tools, pottery, burned bone, and flakes of stone) which all point as evidence towards Native American occupation during the Middle/Late Archaic, and Ceramic Periods. Through the use of radiocarbon dating and the piecing together of artifacts, archaeologists can finally begin to understand the Prehistoric period of the Isles of Shoals, and begin to solve the puzzle that is the Isles of the