The report will go to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, and if the Commission agrees that SugarHouse has met the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed last month, SugarHouse will be officially done with the dig. While most artifacts are shards, some complete tools, 12 pieces of intact 18th- and 19th-century pottery and one 1852 American gold coin – denomination $1 – were also found. Not all of the artifacts are Native American.
SugarHouse spokeswoman Leigh Whitaker said the casino’s archaeology team finished digging last week, but it will take a couple of months for them to photograph and catalogue the thousands of artifacts discovered. “Then the next step is to sit down, probably over lunch, and talk with everyone involved … in an air of cooperation.” Zucker, who is not Native American, said the Sand Hills are “very grateful the artifacts are being safely stored and protected.”
“First, they want to determine if the artifacts are Lenape,” said Laura Zucker, spokeswoman for the tribe.
