Possible Revolutionary War Soldier Burials, Ridgefield, CT

In December 2019, the discovery of skeletal remains beneath an early 18th Century house near the site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle could be the first time in state history that soldiers from the Revolution have had their remains recovered from the field of battle.

Subsequent excavations by the interim state archaeologist, Nick Bellantoni, with assistance from the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology, Inc., and University of Connecticut graduate students, have yielded skeletons of robust adult men lying in a mass grave that appears to be haphazardly dug. The burials are located in the area of the Revolutionary War Battle of Ridgefield (April 27, 1777) and may be associated with the battle.

The current state archaeologist and the state archaeologist emeritus will discuss the Battle of Ridgefield, archaeological excavations, material culture studies and the projected forensic analyses of these potential military burials.

 

Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni serves as the emeritus state archaeologist with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut. He received his doctorate in anthropology from UConn in 1987 and was shortly thereafter appointed state archaeologist. His duties primarily included the preservation of archaeological sites in the state. He serves as an Adjunct Associate Research Professor in the Department of Anthropology at UConn and resided as former presidents of the Archaeological Society of Connecticut and President of the National Association of State Archeologists.

His research background includes the forensic archaeology and faunal analysis from eastern North America. Nick is the author of two books written for the general public: The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriation of Henry Opukaha’ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk and “And So The Tomb Remained”: Exploring Archaeology and forensic Science Within Connecticut’s Historical Family Mausolea. He has been excavating in Connecticut for almost 40 years.

Speaker suggested by Gary Banks.