Mary Ann Levine, associate professor of anthropology at Franklin and Marshall College, is convinced she’s discovered Otstonwakin, the long-lost Woodlands Indian village once inhabited by “Madame” Catherine Montour along the Loyalsock Creek.
Levine discussed her research and conclusions at Lycoming County Historical Society during a March 2013 talk titled, ” Uncovering Madame Montour’s Otstonwakin: Archaeological Excavations at an 18th-Century Native American Village.”
Her visit and presentation, sponsored by Northcentral Chapter 8, Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, ushered in the local archaeology chapter’s spring season. NCC8 President Tank Baird said he hoped the event not only would stir interest in contact-period history, because Madame Montour was a significant political figure during the French and Indian War, but will result in more volunteers during 2013 archaeology season.
“I saw her presentation at the fall SPA workshop and it was fascinating. This is big News at Eleven,’ Baird said. “Her excavations in Loyalsock the past four years have virtually gone unnoticed by anyone locally. This is our history and a story like this, needs to be told.”