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Archaeology of the Tillett Site: The First Fishing Community at Wanchese, Roanoke Island
(1984) Phelps, David Sutton
The local inhabitants of Wanchese call it "Thicket Lump", a name at once remarkably specific in its description and quite ignominious in the lack of recognition of the origin point of a local tradition. The ignominy is not intended, however, for the Tillett site, or "Thicket Lump", today is nothing more than a drowning, remnant hammock supporting a thicket of yaupon and cedar surrounded by marsh, and hardly anyone would recognize it as the first known fishing community at Wanchese. Nevertheless, some 1500 years ago, when sea level had risen sufficiently to create the saline sounds and marshes around the south end of Roanoke Island, people of a culture previous to our own took advantage of this hammock beside the marshes and began to fish in the sounds and collect oysters and other shellfish from nearby beds. Thus began the traditional livelihood associated with the community of Wanchese, a dependence on fishing that has endured through at least two different cultures and has recently achieved a high point with the planned development of a major fishing port and seafood processing facilities. This report presents the results of an archaeological investigation of the Tillett site and the Native American cultures that occupied it during its first 1100 years of existence. It is perhaps appropriate that the archaeological research at Fits first ticking community was stimulated by the expansion of Wanchese Harbor to enhance further development of the modern fishing community.
The Tillett site is also interwoven with other aspects of Roanoke Island history. The last Native American inhabitants of the site were probably members of the Carolina Algonkian Roanoke society, the same people whom the first English explorers visited on Roanoke Island in 1584. The Roanokes also figured prominently in relations with the English colonies of 1585 and 1587 established near what is now Fort Raleigh on the north end of the island. When the first museum was completed at Fort Raleigh it was artifacts and other material excavated from the Tillett site that were installed in the displays typifying the Carolina Algonkian culture. It is thus appropriate that the site be recognized for its contributions to knowledge of 16th century and earlier Native American culture during America's Four Hundredth Anniversary celebration.
The Archaeology of Colington Island
(1981) Phelps, David Sutton
Colington Island is one of the chain of barrier islands which form the Outer Banks along the coast of North Carolina, separating the vast sounds of estuarine system from the Atlantic Ocean. It lies on the sound side of Bodie Island in Dare County, and was once a part of that island when sea level was lower than at present, Now it is separated from Bodie Island by the narrow passage of Colington Creek on the east and Kitty Hawk Bay on the north.
The Outer Banks are a fragile barrier constantly changing through time in response to the dynamics of nature, and their form in any synchronic segment along the time continuum is the result of a momentary balance between the dynamics of rising sea level, winds, storms, tides and sedimentary processes. Although never completely stable, the Banks have maintained their current general form for approximately two to three thousand years, according to geological estimates. Archaeological studies also support that conclusion, having found no evidence of human use on the present surface of the islands prior to about 1000 B.C. and frequent use only within the past 2000 years. Colington Island is no exception to this; its initial occupation by native Americans probably occurred sometime between 200 and 300 A.D. and continued at least until the 14th century occupation by Algonkian people of the coastal region.
There is a vast difference in the appearance of the island's surface of 200 A.D. and at the present; the original inhabitants would certainly be amazed, probably appalled, by the modern appearance, and perhaps some of the modern residents would prefer to see Colington as it was eighteen centuries ago. Human culture is, however, as changeable as nature, and the island has changed in response to both nature and culture. This paper describes the earlier inhabitants of Colington Island from about 200 to 1400 A.D., adding another chapter to the continuing history of the island and the coastal area.
Watch How We GROW
(2024-10) Gray, Erin; Hathaway, Kayla
The original GROW (Guided Reflection on Work) program developed at the University of Iowa has served as a valuable model for supporting student employees nationwide. However, to better align with the unique needs of student employees at East Carolina University’s Academic Library Services (ALS), we are redesigning the GROW program to adopt a holistic approach that supports the whole person, encompassing mental and physical health while emphasizing career readiness. By addressing these aspects, we expect to see increased engagement and job satisfaction among our student employees. Our objective is to create a comprehensive program that not only prepares student employees for their future careers but also ensures their well-being during their tenure at the library. The new GROW program will integrate resources and services from various university departments, including Career Services, Financial Wellness, and the Counseling Center. This new program is currently in its initial stages and will be gradually implemented this fall semester, with thorough evaluation and assessment to determine the next steps.
From Comics to Community: How a Graphic Medicine Collection can Impact Library Services & User Experience
(2024-10-29) Forbes, Carrie; Myers-Kelley, Soph; Bone, Michelle
Objective: The objective of this project was to develop a comprehensive graphic medicine collection in our library, aimed at providing diverse educational resources and enhancing student and faculty engagement.
Methods: We initiated the collection with a modest selection of 20 books in 2020, leveraging end-of-year funds for procurement. Our selection process included sourcing titles from GraphicMedicine.org, online reviews, and social media posts by experts like Matthew Noe and Alice Jaggers. A dedicated librarian created a Graphic Medicine Collection LibGuide as an online hub, featuring a subject directory, catalog links, reviews from faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, the Libguide contains the latest peer-reviewed literature on graphic medicine and shares ideas on the use of graphic medicine in the health sciences classroom. A team of two librarians and the user services coordinator are currently finalizing plans to teach a virtual graphic medicine class for the health sciences campus during the Fall 2024 semester. Finally, our student engagement coordinator promoted the collection via the library's social media channels and actively sought title suggestions from students.
Results: Through these efforts, the collection expanded to over 60 titles in four years, becoming one of the most circulated collections in our library. The LibGuide and social media promotion significantly increased visibility and accessibility, attracting a wide audience and fostering a community of engaged users.
Conclusions: The success of the graphic medicine collection highlights the importance of strategic collection development and active community engagement. By utilizing various platforms and engaging with students and experts, we have created a valuable resource that supports academic and personal growth. This project demonstrates the potential for similar initiatives to enhance library offerings and user engagement in other educational institutions.
References:
Bradley, S., Mclean, R., & Brewster, L. (2021). What can medical education learn from comics?. The clinical teacher, 18(6), 675–678. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13427