Native American Archaeology in Philadelphia

Archaeological research indicates people have been living here along the Delaware River for at least 10,000 to 12,000 years. In the 1600’s, when European newcomers began to colonize the area, this region had long been the traditional homeland of the Lenape — also called Lenni-Lenape or Delaware Indians.

Local archaeological research is one means of recovering the deep history and cultural lifeways of these early and original occupants, prior to any engagement with new European arrivals, and during and after encounters with them in the colonial and federal (early American) periods.

* Learn about Native American artifacts excavated along the Philadelphia waterfront.

View Native American artifacts recovered along the Philadelphia waterfront during the last decade in the photo gallery and interactive 3-D artifact gallery that in part comprise AECOM Corporation’s online archaeological report Digging I-95

* PAF Online Exhibit — Native Archaeological Sites in the City of Philadelphia

Native sites in Philadelphia and the artifacts they contain represent one of the primary ways for learning about Native American cultural heritage and lifeways before the founding of our city. This online exhibit created by Douglas Mooney in 2010, presents an overview of Native American encampments found within the central, most heavily developed parts of the city. This online exhibit shares archaeological knowledge about these discoveries, and shows how these most fragile of sites have managed to survive in forgotten corners beneath our modern streets.