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10/29/2009 1:15 PM

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By Scott Beveridge, Staff writer sbeveridge@observer-reporter.com

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VENETIA – There are many items of unknown origins in the collection and discoveries of the Peters Creek Historical Society whose inventory records are missing.

Among the most unusual objects are two rectangular copper plates the size of large book covers that apparently came from an archaeological dig at an Indian mound along the creek in Clairton.

But nothing is more mysterious than what members believe is an ancient tribal standing stone found in two pieces last month along the creek in nearby South Park Township.

“For this section of the county this is extremely rare,” said Lawrence C. Gallant of Finleyville, who found the stone while strolling off the beaten path along the Montour Trail.

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He compares the nearly 12-foot stone with a point at its peak to standing stones on sacred landscapes built by native civilizations in New England.

The stone once stood at the edge of the creek of Brownsville Road and facing a large broken rock shelter. Gallant said he is attempting to bring archaeologist James Adovasio to the creek because of his extensive work at Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Avella.

The research there by the Mercyhurst College professor found evidence of human occupation in North America much earlier than what experts in the field once believed.

Gallant also plans to take the copper plates to a laboratory in Oklahoma in an attempt to date them.

“We do have a lot of interesting things in the museum,” historical society President Willy Frankfort said today while standing outside its headquarters in the historic Enoch Wright house that was built in stages, beginning in 1815, in Venetia.

He’s been president for two years and is attempting to reshape the society into one that focuses on the Westward expansion and the creek’s watershed rather than on the Wright family.

The society also has secured the services of an archeologist who is recataloging the collection at the museum on Venetia Road, said Frankfort, also of Finleyville.

As for the stone and rock shelter, Gallant said he doubts they will ever be excavated because doing so would close the popular hiking and biking trail on a former rail line. An 8-foot section of the stone has fallen onto its side in the shallow stream and it would be difficult to retrieve, Frankfort said.

He believes the stone once stood as protection against enemy attacks at the entrance to the shelter or a cave.

“It would become a target of vandalism,” he said. “As far as I’m concerned, it can stay where it is.”


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