A scene from the Shultz Diorama, the oldest exhibit in the museum. Originally was located in the museum at the State Capitol. ©SMPA

Who were the first Pennsylvanians? Where did they come from? How did they live? Little written evidence exists to help us answer these questions. Fortunately, the Archaeological evidence of Pennsylvania's first inhabitants is extremely rich. In the State Museum of Pennsylvania's Archaeology gallery, you'll get a life-size view of what goes on at an archaeological dig and see hundreds of examples of Native American artifacts, from stone pipes to throwing sticks and cooking utensils. You can watch the progress of man into Pennsylvania and trace the evolution of Native American culture from the retreat of the North American Ice Sheet to the first contact with Europeans. The museum also offers a "walk through" the life of a Lenape Indian from birth to burial in a life-size replica of a Delaware Indian village!

Click on the thumbnails below to view a few
details from the Archaeology Gallery.

Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. ®2005 SMPA Terms of Use/Copyright