Beneath the Ledge: A 1946 Discovery in Wilbraham

In early 1946, Carl Alsing, the owner of the land where a rock shelter stood in Wilbraham, contacted the Springfield Museum of Natural History to report a discovery on his property. He believed that what had been uncovered beneath a rocky overhang might be Native American remains. Eager to see the site properly investigated, Alsing welcomed the involvement of any qualified group willing to undertake a thorough exploration. The museum’s Mrs. Johnson relayed this information to the Connecticut Valley Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society. Shortly thereafter, arrangements were made with Alsing to begin excavating what was believed to be a small rock shelter.

The Ledge, where the Native American is buried (Patrick Duquette)

The rock shelter is located approximately three-quarters of a mile southeast of Wilbraham’s town center. Just two miles to the north—measured in a straight line—is the historic soapstone quarry, discovered in 1902 by Dr. Robert A. Baldwin during a nighttime coon hunt. Over the years, both the Springfield Museum of Natural History and the Connecticut Valley Chapter of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society have conducted excavations at the shelter site. The formation itself is a natural outcropping of conglomerate rock, weathered at its base to form a shallow recess. This erosion has created an overhanging ledge that serves as a low roof, covering an area approximately six feet deep and twenty feet long.

From the perspective of its Native American inhabitants, this rock shelter would have offered an ideal living site. Situated on a well-drained southwest-facing slope with southern exposure, it benefited from warmth and natural light throughout much of the day. Two small springs, located roughly 150 feet away—one uphill to the east and the other downhill to the west—would have provided convenient access to fresh water. With only minimal effort, a simple lean-to could have been constructed to shield the open front, transforming the space into a practical and comfortable dwelling. At the time of its discovery, the shelter measured approximately five feet in height at the entrance, tapering sharply toward the back beneath a roof angled at about 45 degrees.

Before excavation commenced, the site was carefully sectioned into three-foot squares, using the shelter’s back wall as the baseline for the grid. A sketch made during the dig indicates the precise location of the burial in relation to the overall shelter area. Within the excavated squares, archaeologists uncovered a variety of materials scattered throughout the soil, including fragments of charcoal, small animal bone pieces, freshwater mussel shells, and several plain, grit-tempered pottery shards. Nowhere did these cultural remains extend deeper than ten inches below the surface. Beneath the layer of fertile soil lay a distinct stratum of red earth, which rested directly atop the bedrock.

Floor Plan of Wilbraham Rock Shelter (Massachusetts Archeological Society)

Among the artifacts recovered were a black flint thumbnail scraper, a quartz scraper, three triangular quartz points, and a small quartz pick, similar in style to those discovered at known soapstone quarry sites. In addition, two pointed bone tools, each measuring approximately two inches long, were found. These implements may have served as awls or projectile points. All of these items were directly associated with a burial.

The burial itself was located just beneath the sod, and some bones had been disturbed when the ground was initially broken. It appeared to be a flexed burial, likely positioned on the individual’s right side with the head oriented eastward, as suggested by the arrangement of the vertebrae. Large stones had been placed at both the head and foot of the burial at the time of interment. It is possible the individual had been intentionally positioned between these stones.

The Open Grave Shows the Skeletal Remains (Carl Alsing)

Notably, beneath the few remaining fragments of the skull, a freshwater mussel shell was discovered. Another notable discovery was the presence of an arrowhead lodged between the ribs, leading to the belief that the individual had been killed by an arrow wound. The design of the projectile point, along with signs of apparent mistreatment inflicted on the body, suggests the possibility that the assailant may have been of Mohawk origin.

The Fatal Arrowhead and Graphite Stick (Charlie Merrick)

Despite the burial’s shallow depth and its exposure to frost, animal activity, and invasive roots, the skeletal remains were surprisingly well preserved, with the exception of the skull, which survived only in fragments. Most of the long bones had been broken and displaced, while the vertebrae and ribs remained largely in anatomical order, confirming that this was a flexed burial rather than a secondary, bundle burial.

Dental evidence suggests the individual was at least middle-aged at the time of death. The incisors were heavily worn, a sign of age and use, and no molars were recovered. Their absence could indicate loss during the individual's lifetime or post-burial removal by scavenging rodents. The incisors displayed a distinctive “shovel-shaped” form, a trait commonly observed in Native American populations.

The overall condition of the skeletal remains suggests that the burial likely dates to a period before 1675, around the time when Native Americans are believed to have vacated the area, likely in the aftermath of King Philip’s War.

A few test pits were excavated in two nearby rock shelters that showed potential for past use, but no evidence of habitation was uncovered. Unlike the main shelter that was investigated, these sites lacked the same degree of protection provided by the overhanging ledge, making them far less suitable as long-term dwelling places.

This burial site remains intact today and offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives—and deaths—of the Native Americans who once called this region home. The personal items buried with the individual, the trauma revealed in the bones, and the careful placement of stones all speak to a culture with deep traditions, complex social dynamics, and the harsh realities of conflict. Through time, nature, and history have obscured much, but this small shelter beneath a ledge preserves a silent testimony to a life lived centuries ago. In studying these remains with care and respect, we honor not only the individual buried here but also the broader narrative of the people whose presence shaped this land long before European settlement.