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Archaeological dig suggests nomads built pit houses (CT)

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) - A long-held theory about the migrations of ancient inhabitants of eastern Connecticut might change in light of an archaeological dig that has unearthed homes built into a hillside. Researchers had long believed that the native people who lived in the region about 9,000 years ago were nomadic hunters who moved frequently and did not create permanent living spaces.

But an archaeological dig taking place near a Foxwoods Resort Casino parking garage has uncovered dozens of pit houses, structures built into a hill and supported by timbers.

Elizabeth Chilton, chairman of the anthropology department at the University of Massachusetts, said the find is prompting archaeologists to dig in places, like hillsides, they once thought pointless.
Read entire article at Sun Journal