Archaeologists uncover 12,500-year-old site in Avon, showing evidence of the earliest known population in Connecticut


By Emily Brindley
Hartford Courant | Dec 11, 2019 | 1:26 PM | Avon



When the state Department of Transportation began construction on a bridge over the Farmington River, archaeologists suspected there could be historic sites hidden under the soil.

In January, once excavation was underway, crews discovered evidence of what scientists have called southern New England’s earliest inhabitants.

The site, located near Old Farms Road, is estimated to be about 12,500 years old, dating back to a time known as the Paleoindian Period. It has been named in honor of Brian D. Jones, the state archaeologist who died in July.

The Paleoindian site is the crowning discovery after years of archaeological digs in that part of Avon, according to Catherine Labadia, a staff archaeologist with the State Historic Preservation Office.

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