Deffenbaugh Site
Encyclopedia
The Deffenbaugh Site is an archaeological site
in southwestern Fayette County
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. Located in Nicholson Township
west of the borough
of Smithfield
, it was once occupied by a village of the Monongahela people.
between two low hills; its elevation is approximately 1140 feet (347.5 m), while the hills rise to approximately 1200 feet (365.8 m). Rising in a valley immediately southeast of the site is a spring that feeds York Run; via Georges Creek, this stream is a tributary of the Monongahela River
. Land in the vicinity of the site is a mix of cleared and wooded areas; the site itself is clear of trees.
and surrounded by a defensive stockade
. Like many other Monongahela villages, the site occupies a location atop a ridge; this location was likely chosen for its defensive value, as the Monongahela were a warlike people who frequently fought among themselves. The residents may have been related to those of villages excavated in Somerset County
to the east, who produced pottery similar to that found at Deffenbaugh. Additionally, the site may be related to other sites in Fayette County; while pottery samples for identification purposes are lacking, it is known that at least two other Monongahela villages occupied hilltops within 4 miles (6.4 km) of Deffenbaugh.
. His test excavations revealed pottery, bits of bones, and shells, as well as the remnants of a tramway. A further study, conducted in 1980, revealed that the tramway had significantly damaged part of the site. Despite this disturbance, it was rated to be in fine condition overall; because surface mining
has disrupted wide areas of Fayette County, sites such as Deffenbaugh are extremely rare and thus of great value.
In 1984, the Deffenbaugh Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places
for its information-yielding potential.
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
in southwestern Fayette County
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Located in Nicholson Township
Nicholson Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Nicholson Township is a township in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The population was 1,989 at the 2000 census. The Albert Gallatin Area School District serves the township....
west of the borough
Borough (Pennsylvania)
In the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a borough is a self-governing municipal entity that is usually smaller than a city. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania. All municipalities in Pennsylvania are classified as either cities, boroughs, or townships...
of Smithfield
Smithfield, Pennsylvania
Smithfield is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 854 at the 2000 census. It is served by the Albert Gallatin Area School District. The town's largest employer is a small wire producing plant run by Nelson Steel....
, it was once occupied by a village of the Monongahela people.
Location
The Deffenbaugh Site occupies a saddleMountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
between two low hills; its elevation is approximately 1140 feet (347.5 m), while the hills rise to approximately 1200 feet (365.8 m). Rising in a valley immediately southeast of the site is a spring that feeds York Run; via Georges Creek, this stream is a tributary of the Monongahela River
Monongahela River
The Monongahela River is a river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States...
. Land in the vicinity of the site is a mix of cleared and wooded areas; the site itself is clear of trees.
Profile
Like other Monongahela villages, the Deffenbaugh Site is believed to consist of the remains of circular houses built around a central plazaPlaza
Plaza is a Spanish word related to "field" which describes an open urban public space, such as a city square. All through Spanish America, the plaza mayor of each center of administration held three closely related institutions: the cathedral, the cabildo or administrative center, which might be...
and surrounded by a defensive stockade
Stockade
A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharpened to provide security.-Stockade as a security fence:...
. Like many other Monongahela villages, the site occupies a location atop a ridge; this location was likely chosen for its defensive value, as the Monongahela were a warlike people who frequently fought among themselves. The residents may have been related to those of villages excavated in Somerset County
Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 77,742. Somerset County was created on April 17, 1795, from part of Bedford County and named for Somerset, United Kingdom. Its county seat is Somerset. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania,...
to the east, who produced pottery similar to that found at Deffenbaugh. Additionally, the site may be related to other sites in Fayette County; while pottery samples for identification purposes are lacking, it is known that at least two other Monongahela villages occupied hilltops within 4 miles (6.4 km) of Deffenbaugh.
Excavations
The first study of the Deffenbaugh Site, published in 1931, reported the excavations of local archaeologist George Fisher, who recorded the discovery of bone beads and the burial of a child. After this minimal investigation, the next work at the site was carried out in the 1960s by Donald Tanner of the Carnegie Museums of PittsburghCarnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh are four museums that are operated by the Carnegie Institute headquartered in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
. His test excavations revealed pottery, bits of bones, and shells, as well as the remnants of a tramway. A further study, conducted in 1980, revealed that the tramway had significantly damaged part of the site. Despite this disturbance, it was rated to be in fine condition overall; because surface mining
Surface mining
Surface mining , is a type of mining in which soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit are removed...
has disrupted wide areas of Fayette County, sites such as Deffenbaugh are extremely rare and thus of great value.
In 1984, the Deffenbaugh Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
for its information-yielding potential.
See also
- List of Native American archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Further reading
- Engberg, Robert M. "Algonkian Sites of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, Penna." Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine 14 (3): 155-156.