Miramar Property Thought to Contain Wampanoag Burial Grounds

August 14, 2026 (Duxbury) — A presentation to the Duxbury Historical Commission on Tuesday night offered hope that the Town of Duxbury might gain some negotiating power in the upcoming Miramar 40B project.

According to Duxbury resident and amateur archaeologist Sheila Lynch Benttinen, Miramar is part of the state-designated Lower Jones River sensitive archaeology area. It has been inhabited for 10,000 years, and is one of the most productive archaeological areas in the whole state. The remains of a Native American woman were found on the adjoining Cretinon’s property in 1976, leading archaeologist familiar with the area believes that the lower half of the Miramar property is an Indian burial ground.

Multiple artifacts, some 3,000 to 5,000 years old, have been found on the property and in the surrounding area. In photo after photo, Benttinen showed Wampanoag artifacts in the immediate vicinity, including from directly across the street at Bay Farm. The finds ranged from arrowheads to plummets to an axe head with copper originating in Quebec.

Because 40B projects are governed by state laws and regulations, developers may have to go through a state process to verify that Wampanoag artifacts and burial grounds are protected.