Three new studies based on the discovery of fossils in a German cavesite say that humans moved into Northern Europe much earlier than previously thought.
RANDOLPH â The Potter Paleoindian Site on the east end of town in the Moose River Valley was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Thursday, April 28, state archaeologist Mark Doperalski confirmed.
âThis site is an undisturbed, highly intact habitation that dates to approximately 12,500 to 12,000 years ago,â explains retired state archaeologist Richard âDickâ Boisvert of Deerfield, who led a number of âdigsâ there.
âThe Potter Site contains a series of intensively used workshop areas as well as household encampments,â he says. âThe site was located on the landscape (by early nomadic peoples) so as to take advantage of plant and animal resources close by the areas of occupation and also strategically positioned so as to be able to see herds of caribou as they made their seasonal migrations. Caribou were hunted for their meat, hides and antlers, all essential to the Paleoindiansâ survival.â