ABSTRACT
The impact of the Amerindians upon New Jersey was relatively light, in the consciousness of most contemporary Jerseyans. Actually the presence of the Indians was of marked importance to the early non-Indian settlers, and through them, some traces remain today in the cultural landscape. The lasting significance of the Lenni Lenape lies in their continuing influence on the natural environment, particularly upon vegetation, and their contributions to the colonial culture Modern road engineers need not be as sensitive to terrain and drainage, with their capability of bridge building and gradient smoothing, but large portions of contemporary highways still follow the Indian trails. Indian agriculture featured a pattern of clearing land using it until diminishing crops indicated declining fertility, then abandoning it at least temporarily in favor of a new clearing. The Dutch claim to New Netherland, approximately from Long Island Sound to Delaware Bay, was based on Henry Hudson's explorations in their behalf in 1609.
