Archaeologists excavate NY Colonial battleground

Archaeologists are excavating an 18th-century battleground in upstate New York that was the site of a desperate stand by Colonial American troops, the flashpoint of an infamous massacre and the location of the era's largest smallpox hospital.

The site's multilayered history poses unique challenges for the dig, which is being conducted in a state-owned park, a natural time capsule in the village of Lake George, a popular southern Adirondack tourist destination.

David Starbuck is leading the project during the State University of New York at Adirondack's annual six-week archaeology field school.

The archaeologist and his team of two dozen students and volunteers are excavating a section of Lake George Battlefield Park, overlooking the lake's southern end.