First Posted: 2/24/2013
After reading about the destruction at the archeological dig in the Coxton section of Duryea, I was totally outraged. I think that the people from the Wyoming Valley should be outraged also. You may ask, why get so upset about a hole in the ground?
Thousands of years before the Parthenon, Pyramids, Coliseum and the Aztec Temples, people were living on that spot in Coxton. It is no way as majestic as the aforementioned places, but it is of no less importance.
In fact it may be more important.
At the level this is being dug at this time, people were living there 8000 years ago. I’m sure as they dig deeper, they will find evidence of earlier people.
JUST A HOLE IN THE GROUND? I THINK NOT.
This site has been worked on for over 22 years by volunteers, hoping to gain knowledge of how the Native Americans lived here, thousands of years ago. There is no way that a price tag can be put on the amount of damage that was caused.
I only hope that if and when the perpetrators are brought to justice, the judge sentences them to the fullest extent of the law.
I also hope that the judge in his wisdom attaches an extra sentence on them. Perhaps making them do community service at the archaeological site for 3 weeks a month for 5 years. That will make them realize what a cost their destruction really was.
It was said that if we do not learn from history, we are bound to repeat it. I’m sure that after 5 years working at that site, they will not want to repeat it.
Joseph Savokinas
Pittston