The Dirt on Public Archaeology

"What Is It???" Wednesday: sacred textile?

2012-02-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

Test your knowledge of St. Augustine oddities this week and answer:

a) What is this ancient artifact below?
b) What is it made out of?
c) What is its connection to St. Augustine?

WHAT IS IT???

Last week's WIIW: Master of Mocha (aka William Pier), you are on a roll! I too determined it to be early cut based on the pinching at the proximal end and irregular shape of the head. We found it in one of the layers excavated from Ft. Heilman a few weeks back (read the post!), a Seminole War era fort. The dates of 1815-1830 for early cut nails are a nice fit for the chronology of the site.

Text and nail image: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff (borrowed mystery image, will post image credit next week)

Back in Black (Creek)

2012-01-25T15:48:00.000-05:00

We love getting out in the dirt, so when Clay County teacher Cindy Cheatwood recently proposed that we revisit excavation with students and we jumped at the chance! We got our plans, partnerships, and paperwork in order and met her and Middleburg High School students on a Saturday in early December.

We chose to revisit a site out on Black Creek that had been the target of some similar excavations last year. We visited a few days beforehand to plan our dig, and were thrilled to see signs posted to enforce Clay County's preservation ordinance! We love seeing site protection in action.

Jennifer and Amber lay out the first of two 1x1m units.

On the day of the dig one of our favorite volunteers, Jennifer, joined us to help with the kids. We decided to open up two units to the east of the original trenches. The plan was to further explore the brick feature, possibly some kind of pathway, to get a better understanding of why it was placed there. (For more on what we found out during the first investigation visit this previous blog entry.) We also wanted to find out how the brick structure held up as it progressed along the roadside, and whether it changed at all in thickness or form.

Sarah briefs students on the history and archaeology of the site.

We were so pleased that so many students came out on a Saturday morning (!), braving a threat of rain. Some even brought along younger siblings. After a quick sign-in and orientation our participants broke into four groups, which rotated through four stations before the day was out.

Students excavate and screen for artifacts with Jen Knutson.

Two of the stations gave students an opportunity to excavate units with trowels and brushes and to screen for artifacts.

The adage, "Many hands make light work" certainly holds true here!

Kevin Hooper explores local history with the students.

The third station combined a history talk by local historian Kevin Hooper and a visit to the Middleburg Historical Museum.

Students gently wash and sort artifacts as David offers support.

At the final station, the kids got to do some of the unglamourous but very important work that archaeologists carry out: they washed, sorted, and re-bagged artifacts under the watchful eye of new FPAN intern David Underwood.

We love working with students--my favorite moment of the day came after a conversation with a student who hadn't been very involved. He was in charge of labeling artifact bags at one dig station, and when I encouraged him to try digging, he hesitated. "I have a party to go to later on." He was dressed in khaki slacks and a button-down shirt, and didn't want to get dirty. I suggested that he just crouch, staying planted on both feet, and try digging. He agreed to give it a shot. Several minutes later, a staff member from the school pointed out that he was now kneeling, and likely to get his pants muddy. Hardly looking up from his trowel, he replied, "It's not THAT fancy of a party." We may have a burgeoning archaeologist on our hands.

As for the units themselves, we did find more of the brick feature. Whether it's a single path or there is another course of bricks is still unclear. However, it appears to be consistent in width and construction, and was once traced by a strand of barbed wire. We're unsure whether we'll be back out with another batch of students, but right now we're content to catalogue the artifacts and work up a site report, a critical piece of the archaeological process. And by "we," I mean that new intern I was telling you about.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: A nail by any other name...

2012-01-25T09:50:00.002-05:00

I'm aware it's a nail, but what kind of nail? What do you all think? If you need help, look for my nail cheat sheet below for square nails.

A) wrought nail

B) early cut nail

C) late cut nail

D) wire cut nail

Nail recovered from our recent Black Creek dig in Clay County.

Close up views of proximal and distal ends:

WHAT IS IT???

Last WIIW: We have a winner! Kudos to Debby for working it out that it's a minnow catcher! I had never seen glass manufactured with those concave cones before. I'm guessing they were pressed into the glass during the molding process? Looks like a two piece mold. An on-line search led to lists of auction pages dating them to the late 19th, early 20th century. Will see what other information I can find (anyone from HistArch want to chime in?).

Text and Images: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

How to Record a Historic Cemetery on the Florida Master Site File

2012-01-18T16:15:00.003-05:00

Do you know the best way to preserve an old cemetery? It doesn't require lawn mowers and scrub brushes, tracing paper, or epoxy glue. In fact some of those materials may actually damage an old cemetery if not properly used. All it takes is a hand held GPS device, a camera and a Florida Master Site File (FMSF) form.

Knowledge is the best source of protection for old cemeteries. Many old cemeteries become abandoned, overgrown and lost to time. When you know about or have found an old cemetery, the best thing to do is download and print out a Historical Cemetery Form from the Florida Master Site File web site (www.flheritage.com/preservation/sitefile). Return to the site, write down the GPS coordinates, take at least one general view photograph and record any information you can uncover from your visit. Noting the cemetery location on a USGS Quad map is a required attachment. This is the minimum necessary to record a cemetery on the Florida Master Site File. Knowledge is protection! When development is planned and permits are pulled, a listing on the FMSF may allow that old cemetery to be protected.

If you want to provide more than the basic information needed to record an old cemetery, there is a great guide published by the FMSF staff, to help you. The "Guide to the Historical Cemetery Form" Version 4.0 dated June 2011 can be downloaded from the same FMSF web site listed above. It provides line by line instructions on filling out the Historical Cemetery Form. It also provides several very helpful appendices including doing field work and research on cemeteries, a glossary of terms, the photo policy, and suggested readings and references.
.

Sometimes it is difficult to obtain a copy of the correct USGS Quad map on which to mark your cemetery location. This is a required attachment and for consistency's sake it must be on a USGS map. There is a web site that can help you identify the correct quad map for your location: http://data.labins.org/2003/MappingData/DRG/drg.cfm. However if you reside in Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, or Volusia Counties within the FPAN - Northeast Regional Center, you can contact either Toni Wallace at Twallace@flagler.edu or Sarah Miller at SEMiller@Flagler.edu and we can provide you with a copy of the correct quad map for your cemetery location.

The last item of importance in recording your cemetery is to determine if it has already been recorded on the FMSF. Why is this so imporant? If it is a new submission, you must first obtain a FMSF number from the FMSF staff at the State Division of Historic Resources. Again, Toni Wallace or Sarah Miller can assist you or you can go directly to the FMSF staff at the State. To obtain a new number for an original submission, you should download a Number Assignment Request Form from the FMSF web site listed above and submit it to the FMSF staff by e-mail (SiteFile@dos.state.fl.us) or snail mail (FMSF, 500 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250). And remember, even if your cemetery has already been listed and has a number, you can always add new information to the file. For example, if there has been vandalism, you can photograph and document this and add it to your cemetery's listing.

Good luck with your work to preserve and protect Florida's historic cemeteries. We at the FPAN - NE Regional Center are always there to help.

We have scheduled a series of Cemetery Resource Protection Training (CRPT) workshops in our region open to the public. The next one will be held in the Flagler County Government Services Building in Bunnell on January 31, 2012. Contact Amber Weiss at aweiss@flagler.edu for more information.

Artifact Collecting: St. Johns County Response and Other Resources

2012-01-13T16:30:00.001-05:00

We received this letter today and thought in light of recent events many of you would be interested in reading yourself:

Dear FPAN Northeast staff,

Recent articles in the St. Augustine Record about artifact collecting make it clear that protection of our archaeological sites is an on-going and often strained effort. Though the articles offered an “archaeologist’s viewpoint”, they did not illuminate the broader commitment that our communities have to the public value of archaeological sites.

This commitment is clearly observed in the existence of research and education programs like FPAN and the City of St. Augustine’s Archaeology Program, and in the many volunteers (or just interested citizens) who support such programs. And in a more preventative sense, the commitment is also reflected in the laws enacted to protect these publically-owned resources.

While metal detecting to find lost items and random, isolated objects is a wonderful source of recreation, metal detecting or digging to methodically collect objects from an archaeological site on public lands in St. Johns County is a crime.

On state-owned and controlled lands, including sovereignty-submerged lands, digging for artifacts without a permit from the Division of Historic Resources is a third degree felony (Chapters 267.061 and 267.12-13, Florida Statutes, and Rule 1A-32 of the Florida Administrative Code). Digging on Federal land, such as the beaches within Fort Matanzas National Monument, also requires a permit, and illegal digging is a felony offense with first time offenders potentially subject to a $20,000 fine and a one year jail sentence (Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979). Finally, St. Johns County’s cultural resource laws make it illegal to knowingly disturb an archaeological site on county-owned or managed lands (Land Development Code 3.01.07), and our County park laws prohibit digging on any archaeological site (Ordinance 2005-114). These laws apply to all our beaches, parks, waterways and recreational and conservation lands.

Far from restricting, these laws were created to protect the public’s rights to their heritage from people who would take it from them for personal gain. Many curiosity seekers or history buffs discover sites on public lands without removing artifacts and report them to those who work to protect the publics’ resources. Their exciting recreational activity leads to public benefit and gives us all a long term return on our national history and our investment in public lands.

Of course, education will ultimately be the most important tool and your staff’s efforts in this arena have been outstanding. As an FPAN Board of Directors member, it has become clear to me that the Northeast office is helping to set the bar for the State. Thank you and please keep up these innovative and effective programs!

Robin E. Moore, MA/RPA

St. Johns County Historic Resources

Thank you Robin! We've been sending out lots of links and resources this week. To view original Record articles and responses, see:

Kathy Deagan’s Response to Sunday's paper in Monday's paper (MUST READ)

City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt’s response to metal detecting that ran in back pages of Sunday's paper

Sunday's Metal Detecting article

Reality Show article featuring response by Carl Halbirt

Updated!

January 24th City Resolution for Protection of Artifacts

Other resources we've sent around this week on archaeology ethics:

Dr. Della Scott Ireton's post on ethics and treasure hunting

Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology - Ethics Press Kit

Society of American Archaeology's Code of Ethics

Society of Historical Archaeology's Code of Ethics

Register of Professional Archaeologists Code of Conduct

UNESCO 2001 resolution against treasure collections

Text: letter by Robin Moore with supplemental text by Sarah Miller
Image: Sarah Miller and Amber Weiss, FPAN staff

Fragile maritime resources recorded in Ponte Vedra, St. Johns County.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: mystery jug

2012-01-11T09:29:00.001-05:00

This weekend my family took a trip to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park. We chased chickens, admired the swimming ducks, picked kumquats, and took a tour of the famous author's house. Near the end of the house tour I became fascinated by this jug, well designed for its intended use. For this week's WIIW, what kind of jug is this? What is it's function? Any guesses on when or where it was made?

Our guide for the day.

WHAT IS IT???

And because I'm a historical archaeologist I love me a privy...

Note red flag, indicates if occupied:)

Last WIIW answer: tobacco and horse urine! William Pier is crowned the Master of Mocha for 2012! I know we had some other guesses on Facebook but the post is no longer visible (guessing the word urine is a no no?) so know Master Pier there was some fierce competition, stay sharp my friend!

Text and Photos: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

The Siege of 1702: December 30

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

After the raid, Florida's Governor Zuniga receives a promotion; James Moore, on the other hand, resigns as Governor of Carolina.

If you find yourself stopping by the City of St. Augustine's Archaeology Lab, be sure to take a look at this compelling illustration for yourself!

For more on the Siege of 1702, Wikipedia has a reliably sourced entry. Check it out here.

March of the Menorcans Christmas Tree? See it at the VIC!

2011-12-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

If Tchaikovsky had taken on an eighteenth-century Florida ballet, he could have called in the March of the Menorcans. This thought came to me at the St. Augustine Visitor Information Center (VIC) where arguably the best tree in St. Augustine is on display.

The tree features the names of the original Menorcan families who marched from Turnbull's settlement in New Smyrnea up to St. Augustine in 1777, along with photos of their descendents. Check it out before it comes down after the holidays. Regardless of faith or creed, I think anyone interested in history can appreciate this version of a family tree.

Tree as it stands at the VIC.

Note names on ribbons, like Fornes and Ximenez, Menorcan surnames.

Ponce and Manucy family ribbons with labeled historic photographs.

To learn more visit the Menorcan Cultural Society webpage or check out our lesson plans from Coquina Queries:

Click here for free download of Menorcan lesson .

Photos and Text: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

The Siege of 1702: December 19

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did you forget? This date in 1702, St. Augustine was still under siege by the English!

...and it's not over yet. St. Augustine's citizens are still shuttered safely in the fort, waiting and hoping for support from Havana.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: Secret Ingredients?

2011-12-14T07:50:00.000-05:00

Dendritic mocha sherd at Clay County Archives (thanks Claude!).

Must have for Mocha maniacs!

It's no secret around here that my favorite historic ceramics are mochawares. Don't worry yourself getting me Mocha and Related Dipped Wares for my birthday, I already have it--a stunning book. It's not only my favorite ware, but the sherd above features my most favorite variation, dendritic decoration. The potter would plop a drop of ink on the surface that would automatically fan out in that tree like pattern. For this week's WIIW, what are the two ingredients in the ink that helps the fanning along? I'm looking for the two CRINGE inducing ingredients.

No prize I can offer this round, but I will address you as Master of the Mochas for the 2012 calendar year;)

Random Google image search lead me to these lovelies...variations of Mocha.

Answers from last week's WIIW: 1. San Agustin (D) 2. Abo Polychrome (C) 3. Santa Domingo (B) 4. Aucilla Polychrome (A). Congratulations William Pier and Debby Westerman! Send your address to northeast@flpublicarchaeology.org to collect your "I Dig 1565" bumper sticker!

Text and Photo: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

Florida's Archaeology Sites--Now at Your Fingertips in St. Augustine!

2011-12-12T08:15:00.001-05:00

Visiting St. Augustine and want to know what great sites to see? Swing by the St. Augustine Visitors' Information Center and check out the new touch-screen display at our information booth!

Working with the Destination Archaeology Resource Center in Pensacola, we've compiled some of our favorite sites from all over Florida for visitors to discover.

To use the interactive display, tap one of the eight regions shown. That region is highlighted, and a map showing sites will appear.

Select a site by touching its name to reach a page featuring a photo and information about it.

Drop by and check it out! It's a great resource for people visiting from out-of-state. And locals may be surprised to discover sites they never knew were on the map!

FPAN at National Council of Social Studies!

2011-12-08T08:08:00.009-05:00

Christy Pritchard and Sarah Miller representing FPAN and AEC at NCSS.

For the third year in a row FPAN has had a presence at the National Council of Social Studies annual conference. Attendance of teachers and educators is generally up in the 5,000 range with very few opportunities to learn about archaeology. Jeanne Moe of Project Archaeology and representatives from the Archaeology Education Clearinghouse have attended for several years setting up a booth and proposing workshops. This year we joined forces and put together an exhibitor session, a full hour presentation to support our exhibit in the hall.

Project Archaeology and Archaeology Education Clearinghouse exhibits.

Archaeology is a seamless fit for social studies. Take a look at the 10 major themes from the national standards (from Chapter 2 of National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies):

1. Culture

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of culture and cultural diversity.

2. Time, Continuity, and Change

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the past and its legacy.

3. People, Places, and Environment

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places, and environments.

4. Individual Development and Identity

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of individual development and identity.

5. Individuals, Groups, and Institutions

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of interactions among individuals, groups, and institutions.

6. Power, Authority, and Governance

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create, interact with, and change structures of power, authority, and governance.

7. Production, Distribution, and Consumption

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people organize for the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

8. Science, Technology, and Society

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of relationships among science, technology, and society.

9. Global Connections

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of global connections and interdependence.

10. Civic Ideals and Practices

Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of the ideals, principles, and practices of citizenship in a democratic republic.

We're all over this! Culture, change over time, use of technology? It would be impossible to pick up a archaeology lesson that didn't address these strands.

One of the best things I gained by attending the conference was learning how teachers are already incorporating history into their classrooms. From our ice breaker warm up we learned teachers are doing a wide array of activities. Check out our braining storming list:

The conference allowed me to meet southeastern social studies specialists, countywide coordinators, and pre-service instructors wanting Florida based materials and follow up. In this way I think we've served the state well. Next year's conference is in Seattle which is too far a stretch for this Florida girl, but I hope archaeologists at Project Archaeology and the AEC keep up the good work!

Want more on NCSS and Archaeology Education? Look for my blog post on the Archaeology Education Clearinghouse at the Society of Historical Archaeology's new blog to be launched in 2012!

Text and Images: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

"What Is It?" Wednesday: Majolica Match Up!

2011-12-07T08:08:00.011-05:00

Shaking things up a bit for WIIW this week, try matching up these majolica sherds to their type. Those who guess correctly get an "I DIG 1565" bumpersticker!

WHAT IS IT???

Sherd 1_____________________
Sherd 2_____________________
Sherd 3_____________________
Sherd 4_____________________

Sherd 1

Sherd 2


Sherd 3


Sherd 4

Need help narrowing it down? We'll give you the possible types in chronological order:

A. Santo Domingo (1565-1630)
B. Aucilla Polychrom (1650-1700)
C. Abo Polychrome (1650-1750)
D. San Augustin Blue on White (1700-1730)

Answer to the last WIIW Bonafied Mystery: I believe these are non-cultural ecofacts. They look like cypress roots and timbers weathered by nature, not whittled by humans. Hard to tell as they've been in the river so long. Liked the fishing weir idea! Artifacts are being reburied by the land owner this month.

Text and Images: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

Monday Morning Book Review: Dave the Potter

2011-12-05T08:45:00.000-05:00

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

by Laban Carrick Hill, Illustrated by Bryan Collier

I found this gem in the bookstore at the National Council of Social Studies meeting last week and hoped it would be a "must have," and it is. What a beautiful book--the illustrations, the poetry--and remarkable true story behind a nineteenth-potter.

Inspired during a conference on the Middle Passage, Laban Carrick Hill began to research one of the potters brought to light by presenter Dr. Lisa Gail Collins. Dave's pottery stood out. For one, the size of the pots were remarkable. Dave threw behemoth pots, we're talking LARGE. Over 60 pounds of raw clay per pot thrown on a wheel with extra thick coils added for the finish. That's as much as my daughter weighs! Dave was one of only two potters who could produce pots this large and he produced an astounding 40,000 pots over his 70 year career.

What grips the reader is the not size of his pots or the dearth of his work, however, but once in a while Dave incised his own poetry into the body of the pots. One inscription dated August 16, 1857 reads, "I wonder where is all my relation/friendship to all--and, every nation." Or another dated July 12, 1834 the says, "put every bit all between/surely this Jar will hold 14." Several more are included throughout and at the end of the book.

From an archaeological perspective the book is a ready-made visual aid to describing the manufacture of nineteenth-century earthenware. The author and illustrator show Dave sourcing clay, forming the vessel using two techniques, making and applying glaze, and finally incising the pots with his own words. What a gift to public archaeologists! You may be surprised by this fact, but few classes can identify the material that makes up a ceramic. If you show them a pottery sherd, they'll tell you its made of glass or stone. It is difficult to rewire their brains to think of ceramics as made from clay.

The illustrations that accompany the poem are just stunning. In the end notes you learn the artist took a pilgrimage to the land where Dave was known to work and gained a better understanding of his environment and context. The fabric of rural South Carolina is woven into the pigments. On a more literal level, familiar objects to Dave and enslaved people of that time are also incorporated in the backgrounds and can promote further discussion with students.

Borrowing heavily from the interpreters tool kit, a ready made activity to accompany this book at a library program would be to pass around a broken piece of earthenware before and after the reading of this book. Students could describe on the first pass what the sherd looks like: sharp, brown, shiny, chalky. After reading the book I would imagine students could not help but move from tangible to intangible descriptors for the artifact: pride, art, poetry, history.

(this illustration is my favorite, note the faces in the tree limbs behind Dave)

For more information purchase your own copy today for your library. Also, the author generously included a bibliography and website to find out more:

An educator's guide to Dave
Biography of Dave
Dave Biographer Leonard Todd's website

The Site ID Team's Thanksgiving Saga - Another Early Canoe

2011-11-30T14:57:00.127-05:00

Turner Family Indian Canoe

Turner Family Lake

Last week we got a call from the Turners,a local Florida family. They contacted Sarah Miller, our center's Director, with tales of an Indian canoe. The canoe was exposed on the shore of the family’s lake, which was shrinking drastically in the current drought. The Turner family wanted to record a canoe on the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) and they were concerned about preservation as it was no longer protected by the lake water.

Turner dock now high and dry - formerly used when the lake level was much higher

Turner Family

The Turners, a large extended family, were following a tradition of spending Thanksgiving at the family camp near Putnam Hall in Central Florida. Sarah referred them to Donna Ruhl, Florida Museum of Natural History at UF and Kevin Porter at the State Division of Historic Resources. Together they arrived at a plan to visit the camp the day before Thanksgiving to assess and record the canoe.

Donna Ruhl, Florida Museum of Natural History and Turner Family dogs

Robin and Donna assess canoe

Donna Ruhl, our state expert on Florida’s Indian canoes, met with the family on Monday at the museum and determined from photos and family descriptions, that it was very possibly a prehistoric canoe. Recording and preserving such rare finds is a priority for us all, and the Turner family has a love of Florida’s history and a commitment to doing the right thing with ancient artifacts.

Toni Wallace, FPAN Site Specialist

So Wednesday of Thanksgiving week Donna Ruhl and Toni Wallace, FPAN Site Specialist, met with the entire wonderful Turner family and pets at the Turner camp to measure, photo and record the canoe on the FMSF. Donna measured, took a small sample for radio carbon dating and photographed the canoe. Toni recorded the info on the site form. All of the Turner family helped us, providing tools, help with recording and showing us old photos of the lake when it was much larger and deeper. Even the family dogs got into the act. We also were given a great tour of the family compound which is composed of several houses on 60 acres, purchased by their grandfather more than 60 years ago.

Donna photographs canoe

Donna measures canoe

Donna measures Canoe

Donna takes a sample for radio carbon dating and wood analysis

Sample taken

Canoe bottom

canoe bow

It is truly heartening to encounter Floridians who are conservationists and preservationists, committed to saving Florida's history for future generations. Thank you Turner family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Turner Family and thank you for being great Florida preservationists!

The Siege of 1702: November 24

2011-11-24T08:10:00.002-05:00

As both sides dig in, the siege is under way. The British continue to mobilize around the Castillo and the population of St. Augustine hangs on, awaiting reinforcements.

Monday Morning Book Review: America's REAL First Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T07:00:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite times to live in St. Augustine is Thanksgiving. The weather is perfect, the city floods with visitors interested in history, and we get all up in people's faces about America's REAL Thanksgiving. The Mayor puts out an APB with excerpts from Dr. Michael Gannon's Cross in the Sand (1965), after which he earned the title: The Grinch Who Stole Thanksgiving." Robyn Gioia found inspiration in Gannon's story and translated the spirit of his words into her book, America's REAL First Thanksgiving: St. Augustine, Florida, September 8, 1565 (2007 Pineapple Press, Sarasota). Our Center has a copy and I myself find it a useful resource--more than just for New England taunting!

Sample page 7, map from Plantin Polyglot Bible 1569-1572.

For one, Robyn has done a wonderful job of setting the stage for Spanish settlement of La Florida. The book begins with chapters on the world of 1565, both Spain and Florida in the 1560s. The weight of the Spanish is balanced with a chapter on the Timucua, the first Native Americans to encounter the Spanish during Ponce de Leon's 1513 visit and the first group Pedro Menendez encountered when he founded St. Augustine in 1565. Timucuan tools and ornaments recovered from archaeological investigations are featured graphics throughout the book. I appreciate the emphasis on Florida's environment, a major factor for both cultures.

Besides a historical narrative, the books offers different ways to digest the significance of the Timucuan and Spanish encounter--literally! A timeline and glossary are included at the back as an aid to readers. There are some really great references listed at the back an a long author's note citing Gannon in his own words. The book also has a recipe for Cocido, a garbanzo bean soup that has become the hallmark of dish of St. Augustine's Thanksgiving. The recipe includes a mix of Native and Spanish ingredients: garbanzo beans, chorizo, salt poke, savoy cabbage, leeks, onion, carrots, pepper and saffron. And don't forget the garlic! Robyn refers readers to other historic Spanish recipes in Maggi Smith Hall's book Flavors of St. Augustine: An Historic Cookbook.

Did I mention the book is fun? A combination of primary and secondary sources are used to graphically support the text, as well as original artwork by the author, Robert Deaton, Theodore Morris, and David Meek to mention a few. There are lots of facts and historically researched data, but there are also several interpretive moments that I've used in the past to bring students closer to the past:

If we close our eyes, we can imagine the smell of a roaring fire. We can envision the Timucua savoring their first taste of onion and herbs in cocido, as well as the flavor of salted pork cooked into the stew. The Spaniards may be experiencing their first taste of alligator or bread made with corn. We can smell the fruity aroma of red wine in the cups and imagine the careful passing of food platters. While listening to the sounds of the day, we can hear the rapid beat of the Spanish tongue and the now-extinct language of the Timucua. And at dusk, we feel a gentle breeze roll in from the ocean...

And the passage goes on to connect the five-sense experience the group may have experienced in 1565 (Gioia 2007, p. 38 and illustration p. 39 by Robert Deaton).

Robyn getting hands on at lithic workshop.

On a more personal note, I have met the author a few times and am always encouraged by the activities she pursues to bring an authentic experience to readers. She has attended our Project Archaeology and Coquina Queries workshops, as well as attended Jon Endonino's lithic workshop last January. Being around her is a wonderful whirlwind of creativity as she finds surprising themes and frames books around those inspired insights.

My only word of caution is the use of the 16th century Le Moyne drawings. The drawings are a great resource, but you have to use them with caution. We now know Le Moyne re-used drawing composition and themes regardless of geographic location. Keith Ashley in a talk last year made the comparison to clip art...women arranged in the same seated positions for South American tribes are repeated for the Florida drawings. In addition, some features are exaggerated or lack common sense. You might want to check out the Pelotes Preserve's website to help you navigate through some of these issues, Le Moyne Drawings. A potentially great teachable moment awaits you by deliberating with your kids or students over the likelihood of historical accuracy for the drawings.

For more information check out the Robyn Gioia official website, or this 2007 USA Today article:
Florida teacher chips away at Plymouth Rock Thanksgiving myth.

The book can be purchased in local book store or on-line at Barnes&Noble or Amazon. I just noticed when I looked up the ordering information that there is a teacher's manual available for the book...will check it out an report back!

Archaeology Comes to Jacksonville!

2011-11-19T08:30:00.000-05:00

The Southeastern Archaeology Conference held its annual meeting earlier this month. The meeting moves from place to place each year, but this year it found its way to Jacksonville! Seizing the opportunity to share our fascinating work with the public, FPAN West Central 's Rae Harper got approval to hold a SEAC Archaeology Public Day. Partnering with the Museum of Science and History, we enlisted the help of other SEAC members to put on quite an event!

We were so excited to have participating archaeologists from other states.

Two organizations represented North Carolina.

The Research Laboratories of Archaeology at UNC-Chapel Hill brought a terrific pottery decorating & mending activity.

The Exploring Joara Foundation came through too, with a fun archaeobotany activity--sift through soil to find seeds, then research what plant the seeds come from and their uses.

Georgia brought a legend of Public Archaeology: The Archaeobus. The Archaeobus is a movable festival--it carries several hands-on activities that can be set up on tables, but for a real treat step inside to see a variety of interactive displays that teach about excavation and fields within archaeology.

Since it was our home turf, it was only fitting that FPAN make a showing too:

Southwest helped kids map anchors, and displayed
an impressive array of shell tool replicas.

North Central brought an Observation & Inference activity,
as well as more replicas--including a firestarter!

West Central brought a terrific underwater archaeology
activity and our favorite--Archaeo Cart (more on that later).

Northwest brought a Munsell soil color activity and the
ever popular Build A Boat!

Northeast shared tables with the St. Augustine Archaeological
Association to provide local flavor, including a coquina display
and making pet rocks!

In addition to table activities and displays, we had three special events:

FPAN West Central's Roz Crews gave parents and kids a
hands-on introduction to the ArchaeoCart.

Our own Sarah Miller gave her talk, "Archaeology Along the St. Johns River."

Dr. Robert Austin offered a workshop on prehistoric stone tools.

Honorable mention goes to the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa, from the University of Memphis. Though at the last minute they were unable to join us, their participation inspired Dr. Austin's fantastic workshop. We appreciate their spirit of willingness--if I'm ever in the neighborhood, I fully intend to drop by!

A special thanks to everyone who helped make it such a great event!

Mount Royal gets a makeover!

2011-11-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

If you haven't been out to Mt. Royal in a while, new interpretive panels posted at the end of 2010 are a welcome site to visitors of the one-acre park.

When I first visited the site in 2006 it looked like this:

Ready for the reveal?

Now the site looks like this!

Nice job Division of Historical Resources/Bureau of Archaeological Research! If you want to visit the Mt. Royal site you can find the preserved 1-acre park at Mount Royal Airpark off County Road 309 at the corner of Indian Mound Road and William Bartram Drive outside Welaka , Florida. For more information about the site check out Amber's blog from the archives A Mound Fit for Royalty? or read more on the Divisions website: Projects--Mount Royal Indian Mound.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: Bonafide mystery

2011-11-16T09:02:00.001-05:00

Like Law & Order episodes, this week's WIIW is ripped from the headlines...of an email anyway. Over the week we got a call and follow up email from a Florida resident who found some suspicious looking objects in the side of a creek. Are they artifacts? If so, what are they? If not, what are they?

WHAT IS IT???

Thanks to those who chimed in last week. As WilliamPier guessed, it is indeed the gates of St. Augustine! Located in the Visitor Information Center the miniature view is St. George Street looking southeast through downtown. Adam Cripps and Lianne Bennett also guessed correctly on Facebook, so we'll be sending all three of you the Great Floridians 2000 booklet. Didn't win? View select Great Floridians on YouTube on the Department of State's YouTube channel.

The Siege of 1702: November 14

2011-11-14T08:10:00.004-05:00

Excavations on Aviles Street have revealed evidence of this burn episode,
along with that carried out on the previous two days.

The Siege of 1702: November 12 & 13

2011-11-12T08:10:00.001-05:00

Post-CRPT: St. Joseph's in Palatka

2011-11-10T17:20:00.000-05:00

Keep Putnam Beautiful voluteer James Townsend at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Back in September we held our inaugural CRPT workshop in Putnam County in partnership with the city of Palatka. This week I went back to Palatka to check in on some of the CRPT alums and to check our clean headstones out at West View.

First, Toni and I met with James Townsend from Keep Putnam Beautiful, self appointed caretakers of St. Joseph Cemetery. Not much is written about the cemetery, but headstones indicate the first internments were made in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The cemetery is not claimed by the city, or the county, or any private entity; by definition it is an abandoned cemetery. Looking around St. Joseph's that title is at times hard to believe. Jim and others from the community have obviously spent a lot of time clearing and caring for St. Joseph's. While not every effort has paid off, I was really impressed by Jim's patience with the process of keeping up a cemetery for the long haul, and by his dedication. St. Joseph's is known as a predominately African American cemetery within the community. Jim has no kin buried there, which to me makes his dedication to the cemetery that much more impressive.

Some hand-written cement headstones in St. Joseph's:

James showed us some of the vandalized portions of the cemetery, such as this cement slab below that caps what was a vault, cracked open by a wreckless car that ran over the vault. Human remains were exposed until a funeral home stepped in and capped off the vault:

Below, a large stump of an oak tree wreck havoc on this family plot. Even with the tree cut down, it's difficult to prioritize repairs and keep the plot maintained.

These next two show the corner of one headstone buried beneath leaf litter, and the result after a little brushing with a soft bristle whisk broom.

During the course of CRPT workshops we're finding there are classrooms full of equally impressive people. Christy Sanford, instrumental in our first workshop in Palatka, volunteers many hours in the upkeep and monitoring of West View cemetery. Christy is new to town by local standards and also has no kin at West View.

What makes people do this?

Matt Armstrong's miniature Tolomato at meeting.

I found a partial answer last week at the annual meeting for the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association. The keynote speaker was Father Timothy Lindenfelser who at one point talked about the presence of San Lorenzo cemetery off Highway 1 in St. Augustine. The intersection around San Lorenzo is made for shopping. Target, Marshals, K-Mart and fast food chains surround the cemetery. He finds the presence of the cemetery inspires a different focus on the landscape, one of remembrance. A reminder to all who drive by to focus on relationships and not objects. This theme is certainly repeated in the CRPT alumni who worked hard before and after training to upkeep their own local cemeteries. Working in a cemetery you are aware of human mortality and the monuments left after one leaves their body.

Two stones cleaned during CRPT-Palatka, West View Cemetery, Palatka.

After our visit with Jim at St. Joseph we wanted to check in on the headstones we cleaned a few miles up the street at West View cemetery. Some were featured in Toni's blog last week, but the D2 keeps working weeks after the cleaning.

Thanks to everyone so far for helping make CRPT a success. If you missed the Palatka class there are MANY chances to attend:

November 29, Ponce Inlet (Volusia County)
December 14, Flagler County*
January 13, Sarasota with New College and FPAN West Central
February 7, Green Cove Springs (Clay County)*
May 19, mini-CRPT in Fernandina Beach (Nassau County)

* indicates dates subject to change as final plans are set in the next few weeks. Keep checking the programs page of our website for registration information and calendar of events.

Whew!! To check out more pictures from our visit to St. Joseph, check out our Facebook Post-CRPT album.

And how bout you? What cemeteries do you care about and why?

The Siege of 1702: November 10

2011-11-10T08:10:00.003-05:00

Moore set up headquarters in an area that has a long history of military association:
they stood where the St. Francis Barracks are today.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: mini edition

2011-11-09T09:02:00.000-05:00

I LOVE me a miniature! What does this small scale model depict, be as specific as you can, and for bonus point where is the model on display? Answer correctly and we'll send you out a copy of DHR's Great Floridians.

WHAT IS IT???

WHERE IS IT???

Thanks to everyone who posted last week, one of our more high traffic WIIWs! It's a horse, of course!

The Siege of 1702: November 9-10

2011-11-09T08:10:00.002-05:00

The Siege of 1702: November 8-11

2011-11-08T08:10:00.002-05:00

The Siege of 1702: November 6

2011-11-06T08:10:00.001-05:00

The Siege of 1702: Mounting a Defense

2011-11-04T08:10:00.001-04:00

As Moore and his troops made their way south, St. Augustine took defensive measures. In addition to protecting the town's citizens, the Spanish took steps to make the siege more difficult for their attackers.

Work continued to prepare the Castillo and supplies for the people who would seek shelter within its walls.

Remembering the Siege of 1702

2011-11-03T14:00:00.000-04:00

This month marks the 309th anniversary of the Siege of 1702. What better time to take a closer look at a critical moment in St. Augustine's history? Over the next several days we'll trace the timeline of that attack on St. Augustine using beautiful illustrations by a local artist & historian. Elsbeth Gordon created a lovely rendering of the events that took place in fall and winter of 1702 and gave it to City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt.

Before we dive in to the timeline, it's worth exploring the events that led up to the Siege. Though there was certainly no love lost between the British and Spanish colonies, this conflict originated in Europe. The War of Spanish Succession started in 1701, pitting the Spanish and French against England and a number of smaller allies. The tension of war quickly spread to the colonies, where the English became concerned about the potential for Spanish attack. With that in mind, Governor James Moore set out to attack La Florida in October of 1702.

The Castillo provides the central image of Gordon's illustration, and rightly so. It was the haven into which St. Augustine's citizens gathered during the attack. Without its protection, the Siege would undoubtedly have yielded a much worse result for the Spanish.

Follow along in the coming weeks as we retrace the major events of this historic attack. For more details about the Siege of 1702, take a look at this pamphlet offered by the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: JAWS (dunnuh...dunnha)

2011-11-02T09:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we had an artifact donated to our center for our educational programs, a lower jaw of a sizable animal.

WHAT IS IT???

And thanks to James Fiske and others who chimed in on our last WIIW: Conserved chainmail found at the Hernando de Soto Winter Encampment site in Tallahassee.

Add It Up: Florida's Math Teachers Learn to Use Archaeology in the Classroom

2011-10-24T10:30:00.000-04:00

I feel fairly certain that if a reader reviews my entries in our blog, he or she will find a lot of "one thing I love about my job" commentary. There's a lot to love about the work I do, and last week I got a surprising new addition to that list. Math. If my junior high math teacher Mr. Roberts could read this, I'm sure he'd be shocked. I had the best time last week sharing archaeology lessons that use (and teach) math with educators.

Sarah Nohe staffs our table in the Vendors' hall at FCTM. Teachers love highlighter pens!

The occasion was the Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conference, held in Jacksonville. I was lucky enough to partner with Sarah Nohe, my counterpart in the Southeast region. Over the course of three days we staffed a vendors' table where we encountered math teachers from all over Florida. We also conducted an hour-long workshop.

Our workshop supplies and bags of resources for teachers await the crowd...

I can't tell you how anxious I was about it--as a girl who has to work for math to really click with me, I was nervous about how well I could communicate these lessons to teachers for whom the subject matter is intuitive. I was nervous that maybe our subject matter wouldn't resonate--what if no one showed up?

Introducing a lesson that uses circumference to
estimate the diameter of a vessel.

As I'm sure you've guessed by now, we were blown away with the way our workshop was received! The room was at capacity with teachers who wanted to hear how we use math in our work. Teachers, maybe especially math teachers, get questions all the time from students about whether they'll ever use the things they learn in "real life." The truth is, math is a part of the science of archaeology. We use the Pythagorean Theorem to lay out every unit! The zillions of maps we draw rely on the ability to work with the coordinate plane. Working with measurements and comparative quantities help to guide our understanding of the sites we uncover. And all of that happens before we even get into a lab and really crunch the data! Simply, math provides a framework--a structure that clarifies observable phenomena--it provides a stable backdrop that allows for effective comparison and interpretation.

Teachers mapped & excavated cookies with "rainbow" chips. As an example of real-life mapping we showed another
colorful image: a map by the City of St. Augustine's archaeologist that uses colors to denote the date ranges
of features at a Colonial Spanish site.

Sarah and I had a blast helping the teachers dive into hands-on lessons--in cookie excavation, they mapped the outline and "features" (chips) of a chocolate chip cookie, and listed the coordinates at which the chips could be found. In a carbon-14 dating lesson, they got to work with probabilities and graphing using m&ms--always a favorite lesson of mine. We used broken dishes to learn about measuring the circumference of an object working with just a piece of its arc.

Teachers tried their hand at another tasty lesson! In this activity, students use probabilities and graphing skills,
not to mention M&Ms, to explore how Carbon-14 dating works.

We had so much fun, I kind of wished that we had the room all day! We left them with many more activities to try out on their own--lessons that work with principles of math at a variety of grade levels. The feedback that we heard was great--one of our workshoppers was even able to get the C-14 lesson to her colleagues as they were finalizing math curriculum for the coming semester. She said the teachers she works with loved the activity too, and they'll start using it in the classroom soon.

Outreach to teachers achieved! That makes us very happy public archaeologists indeed.

The whole conference, but especially the workshop, really encouraged me to find new ways to reach out to teachers. Archaeology lessons fold in naturally with science and social studies, but clearly we're missing out when we don't engage teachers of other subject areas. So, as with many events in archaeology, my discovery has generated ever more questions. Would a mini-workshop focusing primarily on math, like the one we offered at FCTM, draw enough interest to be well-attended? If so, would smaller workshops focusing on more specific subject areas be an effective new approach to outreach for educators? What other subject areas should we target?

What do you think?

We need Anthropology, Anthropology needs us!

2011-10-14T13:28:00.000-04:00

Calls and emails started flooding in Tuesday after remarks made by our own Governor Rick Scott. Being employed Anthropologists, we were quite busy this week: Tuesday we conducted a cemetery protection course in Manatee County, Wednesday we split efforts between Sarah working with planners to understand archaeology reporting and ordinances while Amber set up for the statewide math teacher's conference, and yesterday we did double duty again with math and science teachers in Jacksonville.

I'm grateful to Dr. Lees for posting the official FPAN response today via our website. Please feel free to forward to anyone and join in the many voices calling out for change in attitudes towards Anthropology and the value of liberal arts education.

Wrote your letter already? Share your talking point! We want to hear!

FPAN staff in Tallahassee at Mission San Luis.

ANTHROPOLOGY IN FLORIDA’S STATE UNIVERSITIES?
William B. Lees, PhD, RPA, Executive Director Florida Public Archaeology Network

Florida Governor Rick Scott has recently been in the news for proposing that some liberal arts programs should not be supported at state universities because of the need to focus on jobs related to programs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). He has used Anthropology as an example of one of these programs that should no longer be offered within the State University System. As a career professional with three degrees in Anthropology, and as executive director of the Florida Public Archaeology Network, I am greatly concerned by this proposal.

Archaeology is in fact one of the major sub-disciplines of Anthropology. Scientifically trained archaeologists are employed in universities, museums, cultural resource management firms, and governmental agencies to manage historic places, educate our children, engage tourists and residents, work with land managers and developers, and carry out new and original interdisciplinary research about our collective heritage. FPAN’s eight Regional Centers are staffed with Anthropologists who work to engage and educate Florida’s residents, visitors, and school-aged children about our archaeological heritage. We work with local governments to find creative ways to preserve archaeological sites and to develop local archaeological heritage into tourist destinations.

Florida universities have a long history of conducting significant and far-reaching studies into the state’s prehistoric and historic past. Archaeology tells us everything that we know of the history of the people of Florida during 10,000+ years of prehistory, and has helped tell and retell the story of Florida after the Spanish came ashore almost 500 years ago. These studies have not only written Florida history, they provide authentic content to a very important and sustainable heritage tourism and historic preservation industry that brings in over $4 billion per year to Florida’s economy (http://www.flheritage.com/preservation/economic-impact.cfm).
In addition to training future generations of professional archaeologists, Florida universities train Anthropology students with career tracks in the health sciences, in forensics, and in many other areas that touch our daily lives (see http://prezi.com/vmvomt3sj3fd/this-is-anthropology). In addition, many students choose the BA in Anthropology, or coursework in Anthropology, not as a career track but as the basis for careers in fields such as Medicine, Law, Political Science, International Relations, and Business.

Florida universities have a very long and distinguished legacy of excellence in the field of Anthropology. Archaeology faculty in Florida universities have been and continue to be leaders in the archaeological profession nationally and internationally, and students trained in archaeology programs in Florida are consistently considered to be among the best prepared in the nation. The quality of these programs, and the demand for trained archaeologists, has caused increased enrollments in Florida Anthropology programs in recent years. Departments of Anthropology in Florida attract not only residents interested in careers in archaeology but also some of the best students from other states and nations.

Anthropology at Florida universities is a sustained success story because it is relevant to the needs of today’s college students. If you would like Governor Rick Scott to know your opinion on the teaching of Anthropology in state supported universities in Florida, you may contact him via email:
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor
…or you may send a letter to Governor Rick Scott, Office of Governor Rick Scott, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399.

Your opinion matters!

The Scoop on CRPT - Our First Cemetery Resource Protection Training Workshop

2011-10-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

Workshop Participants

On a warm but beautiful late September day in Palatka, Putnam County, Florida, we initiated our first in a series of cemetery conservation workshops. Developed by the Florida Public Archaeology Network - Northeast Region, and supported by the City of Palatka, the Cemetery Resource Protection Training (CRPT) is a one day workshop on preserving historic cemeteries. The program combines classroom instruction with a hands-on cemetery conservation demonstration.

The City of Palatka provided a beautiful classroom in the Price Martin House, access to the historicWest View cemetery, and the help of city cemetery personnel and volunteers who also attended the workshop. Twenty participants attended including city personnel, cemetery volunteers and teachers.

Opening Comments by Sarah Miller

Human Burials and the Law by Dr. Rachel Wentz

The morning began with a get-to-know-you icebreaker with everyone sketching a headstone for posting on the wall of our virtual cemetery. Dr. Rachel Wentz next discussed Human Burials and the Law, an overview of federal and state laws governing cemeteries.

Sarah introduced cemeteries as cultural resources and best practices for managing and preserving historic cemeteries.

Did you know that historic cemeteries can be better protected when they are listed on the Florida Master Site File (FMSF)? Toni Wallace walked the participants through a presentation on how to fill out the FMSF Cemetery Form.

Adding Cemeteries to the FMSF by Toni Wallace

It's important to know your cemetery's boundaries so that ALL of its burials can be protected. Amber discussed strategies to find and document the boundaries of a cemetery focusing on use of ground penetrating radar (GPR).

Amber Grafft-Weiss discusses GPR and finding cemetery boundaries

After a quick lunch, we all met up at West View Cemetery for a guided tour of the historic cemetery by Christy Sanford and some hands-on experience documenting the condition of cemeteries and cleaning some markers.

Christy Sanford points out the final resting places of some notable figures including Florida's first governor

Sarah Miller offers a wholistic approach to cemetery care

Under the pavilion, Sarah presented a crash course to the participants on documenting the overall condition of a cemetery using a form that includes cemetery maintenance, headstone cleaning, preservation and landscaping activities.

Mary Miller and another participant carefully note cemetery conditions

They saw a variety of markers and got a glimpse of headstones in need of some loving care

The workshop's culminating activity allowed participants to gain hands-on experience cleaning headstones with a solution of D-2. D-2 has been tested and deemed safe and effective in cleaning headstones. The participants jumped right into the task and did a great job. Eleven markers were cleaned. Cleaning is a simple process. Using D-2 and a soft-brisled brush, markers can be cleaned in a way that will not harm them in the long run.

Sarah briefs participants on proper cleaning prodedures

Participants clean markers with D-2

And here are the results of the cleaning activities with D-2.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

FPAN-NE plans to conduct CRPT workshops in every county in Northeast Florida this year. Look for information on the scheduled date for your county. The next one will be in Volusia County. Hope to see you at one of them. For further information contact Amber at the FPAN - NE office at aweiss@flagler.edu or http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/.

"What Is It?" Wednesday

2011-10-05T16:04:00.001-04:00

We've been on the road with meetings in Tallahassee and CRPT training in Palatka, but managed to take a picture of an interesting artifact. Comment below and we'll send you out the Spanish Colonial Heritage Trail Guide published by the Division of Historical Resources!

WHAT IS IT?!?!?

You tell us- what is it, where is it, what does it mean?

Last WIIW answer: fastener on an early to mid 20th century sailboat we recorded in Lake Monroe for the Florida Master Site File! Read more about the find in this News-Journal article.

And thanks to Debby Westerman for her Facebook comments...I Dig 1565 bumper sticker headed your way!

Divers Down - On the River: Further Adventures of the FPAN Site ID Team

2011-09-12T17:21:00.001-04:00

St. Johns River

The river was dark and murky - the river held many mysteries in its muddy waters - boat wrecks, accidents, sinkings, burnings.

Site ID Team

The FPAN Site ID team received a call from a professional diver with an interesting proposal. His professional diving company locates numerous mysterious wrecks in the course of conducting its underwater business. Blackwater Divers does insurance inspections, bridge inspections, search and recovery, etc., in the rivers, lakes and off shore waters of Florida. They heard about the Site Team's business of recording archaeological and historic sites on the Florida Master Site File (FMSF). Would we want to record some of their wreck finds? Why yes we would!

Todd Bosinski, Blackwater Divers; Toni Wallace, FPAN-NE; Pete, Daytona Beach News-Journal Photographer; Jeff Moates, FPAN-WC

So on Wednesday, September 7th, the FPAN team of Sarah Miller and Toni Wallace (FPAN-North East), and Jeff Moates (FPAN-West Central) met up with Todd Bosinski, President of Blackwater Divers, and two reporters from the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Tom Knox and his photographer, Pete. We met at the St. Johns River in Volusia County. Todd had a wreck to show us.

Todd at controls of his dive boat

Side Scanner Screen

Jeff Moates

We motored to the wreck site in Todd's diving boat. Todd located the completely submerged wreck with his side scanner radar. Jeff and Sarah donned their diving suits and down they went into the tannin-darkened waters of the river. Todd, Toni and the reporters photographed and took notes from the boat as a river otter, manatees, and an alligator passed by the boat.

Sarah Miller

Yes, we had quite a wreck. The boat measured about 60 feet long and 10 feet wide. Measurements were taken and fixtures identified mostly by feel as the dark waters did not permit visual id's. The boat was probably an early 20th century gas powered launch, very well made.

Burned wood planking from the wreck

There was evidence of burning as a piece of the burned wood was brought to the surface and then returned. Although none of the superstructure remained, the hull, planking, frames and wood fasteners were preserved underwater. Even the tiller still worked. We named the wreck Bosinski's Wreck # 1 as Todd has others to show us in the rivers, lakes and off shore waters of Northeast Florida.

Site plan of wreck

Toni will complete the Shipwreck Form for the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) and submit it to the State Division of Historic Resources. A hand drawn site map of the wreck, prepared by Jeff, an experienced diver and marine archaeologist, will be included. Bosinski's Wreck #1 will now be listed on the FMSF. Although the FMSF does not provide for explicit protection of a listed ship wreck, it does record it in case of activities that might negatively impact it in the future. We commend Todd and his company, Blackwater Divers, for their interest in identifying and recording Florida's marine archaeological resources.

Tom Knox interviewing Todd Bosinski for the News-Journal

The Daytona Beach News-Journal has promised a feature article on the dive. We look forward to continuing our work with Todd. Next on the schedule, a possible St. Johns River steam boat. Stay tuned!

"What Is It?" Wednesday: Diver down edition

2011-09-07T19:24:00.003-04:00

Today I made a break with Toni Wallace (our Site ID specialist) and West Central Director Jeff Moates to meet up with a local diver in Volusia County. Our mission: record an underwater wreck for the Florida Master Site File. You can read about our adventure in a News-Observer article set to print Friday and upcoming blog post by Toni, but for now I'll wet [sic] your appetite with an artifact we observed and left on site.

WHAT IS IT????

What is the form of the artifact or help us out with what you think it's made out of. Any diagnostic information gets you one of our "Nightsoil Happens" t-shirts. The shirt looks homemade, because it is.

Last week's answer: My best guess is a 1920s reproduction of a famous local portrait near Pisa.

The vase featured portraits of 15th-century figures Federico da Montefeltro and his wife Battista Sforza by Piero della Francesca (thanks to the owner of the artifact who helped research the object and sent me this link). While the vase replicates this famous 15th century portrait, I do not believe the vase dates to this time. The makers mark on the bottom of the vase led me to a maker's mark website that said the Mannozzi company was located in Montopoli near Pisa in the 1920's and produced sgraffito ware (Italian Pottery Marks). For more on sgraffito check out this encyclopedia entry or check out these entries from the Florida Museum of Natural History's digital type collection.

New Lecture by FPAN Northeast!

2011-08-30T13:23:00.000-04:00

FPAN Northeast has added a new lecture to the books:

Laurel Grove Plantation was destroyed in 1813 as a result of the Patriots' Rebellion (or Patriot War). In documenting his losses there, Zephaniah Kingsley supplied unusually detailed information about the enslaved Africans living at the plantation. Those records informed archaeological interpretation of another of his properties, Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island. Excavations at Kingsley Plantation by the University of Florida's archaeology field school (2006-2011) offer a wealth of understanding about what life was like for the plantation's inhabitants.

Though it's still brand new, I had the pleasure of delivering the inaugural lecture before members of the Historical Society of Orange Park--right where Laurel Grove Plantation once stood!

For information on bringing a lecture to your group, contact Amber. To find out about our other lectures and offerings, visit our Programs page.

Photo courtesy of University of Florida, Dr. James Davidson

Protecting the past, one bumper at a time!

2011-08-25T08:08:00.015-04:00

From time to time we make reference to our "I DIG 1565" bumper sticker, and it just occurred to me that some of you might not know what we're talking about.

Several years ago in an effort to support New Smyrna Beach's city archaeological ordinance, Ponce Inlet's archaeology ordinance, and Volusia County's preservation ordinance we developed a "Volusia's in Ruins" bumper sticker. The idea was to hand out the bumper sticker at displays where we could explain the importance of the ordinance and pass out a copy for the public to view. Establishing an archaeological ordinance is the best chance a community has at preserving its buried past, its heritage. And while starting one can be difficult, keeping it on the books can be even harder in these economic times.

With the Volusia experience under our belt we turned our attention to other city or county communities with established ordinances. While some St. Augustine residents are aware we have our very own city archaeologists, Carl Halbirt, they may not be aware of the archaeological ordinance that created his position. St. Augustine was the obvious choice for the next design, and our most popular. We chose 1565 to overlap with the 450th commemoration and establishing date for our town. Below the motto is the simple statement: Support Saint Augustine Archaeology. We passed these out at the city birthday commemorations, SAAA lectures, the Discover First America series, and they are available anytime at our Center that is open to the public on Flagler College campus.

We have another bumper sticker ready to roll out: Piecing Together Our Past, Support St. Johns County Archaeology. In a tie for oldest county in Florida, St. Johns county has an archaeological ordinance and a historical resource specialist, Robin Moore, to monitor historic properties owned by the county.

It always gives me great joy when driving up Highway 1 to see the bumper stickers and know the passion for the past is as magical as osmosis. Bumper stickers are available at FPAN northeast events and at our Center. If you are out of town or not able to attend our events, try for one of our "What Is It Wednesday" contests featured on this blog, our facebook and twitter. Or if you promise to put it on your car and send me a picture, first 10 to contact me and mention this blog post get a sticker of their choice!

Text: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff
Images: graphics developed by Flagler College graphic design interns: Kate Groeneveld-Volusia,

Katelyn Calautti-St. Augustine and St. Johns County.

"What Is It???" Wednesday: MOSH Scene 2, Take 1

2011-08-24T08:40:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we pulled off the second Archaeology Roadshow at Jacksonville's Museum of Science and History. In keeping with professional and museum ethics, the event featured panelists from multiple sciences and no monetary amounts were given to any attendees by the panelists. Visitors to the museum could take an unidentified object and get an archaeologist (people), paleontologist (fossils), or malacologist (shells) to examine the piece and provide some information. From the archaeological point of view, the event affords us the chance to find out local sites. Toni, our Site ID team leader, is always willing to follow up and record reported sites to the Florida Master Site File.

I could not have pulled off the day (134 objects in 120 minutes!) for the archaeology table without the help of Dr. Brad Biglow and Jennifer Knutson, so thanks again for volunteering your time!

There were more than a few objects that "stumped the chumps" and in following up with pictures and promises to find out more, I've stumbled upon some that are new to me or provided information that will serve me on a future dig.

First up, a vase I nearly knocked over while taking this photo (see below). I've done a little digging and think I have an answer for the person who brought the object forward. But for fun let's send it on a WIIW tour!

WHAT IS IT?!?!?

Let me know technique and any other diagnostic information that could help us narrow down an answer to who made it and when. Diagnostic information = I Dig 1565 bumpersticker!

Last week's answer: a doublet button! Button was recovered from Carl's dig at the Spanish Quarter and may date to the 16th century. From today's St. Augustine Record article:

"The men's doublet button is clearly from the period of 1590 to 1620," he said. "While people might carry around an old coin for years past its mint date, fashion doesn't tend to lie. In those days, clothes just didn't last very long, so what you wore was never very old."

Closest guess was made on Facebook by Debby Westerman, contact me and we'll mail you out your bumpersticker!

Text and Photos: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

Help Needed: Inquire Within

2011-08-23T12:13:00.001-04:00

We are seeking a curriculum consultant to develop science modules for middle school grades based on prehistoric Timucuan technology. See official Request for Proposals attached to this email and pasted below, or the program description. For questions or information, please contact Sarah Miller. Proposals due 2:00 PM EDT by Thursday, September 15, 2011.

Timucuan Technology: Biotechnology and Archaeology Lesson Plans

Official Request for Proposal:

Flagler College is seeking proposals from qualified firms or individuals to prepare the lesson plans for a new program focusing on biotechnology of Timucuan Indians through the study of archaeology in northeast Florida. Students will explore human interaction with the environment and changes made over time by the Timucua to meet their basic needs through biological products. The lessons will be completed by April 2012 to be published as a teacher resource guide and student handbook, provided on-line and through workshops by the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Northeast Regional Center during June 2012.

The criteria for selection of interviews and the final selection include:

A. A minimum of three years experience as a curriculum consultant, with at least one year experience writing for Sunshine State Standard content;

B. A minimum of five years experience in science, social studies, or environmental education;

C. A minimum of one year experience in teacher training;

D. A minimum of one year experience with grant funded projects preferred; and

E. Demonstrated ability of the firm or individual to complete projects meeting the owner’s schedule and budget.

Lesson plans will:

• Be developed for 7th and 8th grades;

• Meet Sunshine State standards and be integrated into the Viva Florida Program;

• Incorporate ideas for science experiments to enhance learning; and

• Include information on (but not limited to): archaeology, ecology, geology, genetics, chemistry, technology, biotechnology, climate change, agronomy, and scientific ethics.

Proposals should provide a clear and concise outline for satisfying the objectives of this RFP. The proposals should outline the respondent’s qualifications to conduct the analyses. Proposals may include background, unique qualifications and other information that may support the proposal. Respondents are required to submit the following information: Qualifications; Outline of Proposed Content; two-page Description of Activities; Project Schedule; and sample lesson plan from prior work.

Proposals will be received at 74 King Street until 2:00 PM EDT by Thursday, September 15, 2011. Please submit your proposal to Ms. Sarah Miller, 74 King Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. Electronic submittals will be accepted, however you must call to confirm receipt of your electronic submission. If you should have any questions on this request, please contact Ms. Miller.

Flagler College reserves the right to waive informalities, to reject any or all bids/proposals and accept all or any part of any bid/proposal as deemed to be in the best interest of Flagler College.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN FINANCED IN PART WITH HISTORIC PRESRVATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY THE BUREAU OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION, DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

RFP (PDF) and Program Description (PDF) will be available soon on the program page of our website.

"What Is It???" Wednesday

2011-08-17T10:05:00.001-04:00

Last week I got to go out for a morning and help Carl on his latest dig downtown. I took photos of my feature (a large post) and artifacts from other areas of the site. The last two images feature this week's WIIW.

Carl gives me my assignment

Me sweet talking my post hole.

Artifacts from the post.

Mapping the site.

St. Johns sherd.

Taking the time to talk to the public.

Alright, you're all warmed up now...take a look at the artifact below in Donald's palm. Yes it's a button, but what kind of button?

WHAT IS IT???

Post your best guess by comment, Facebook or Twitter. Winner gets an "I Dig 1565" bumper sticker!

Last week's answer: it's a date! A date nail, anyway. "Date nails were driven into railroad ties, bridge timbers, utility poles, mine props, and other wooden structures for record keeping purposes (Oaks 2001)." The one photographed came from the Monticello Railway Museum in Illinois but is similar to those found throughout the US. For more information check out University of Indianapolis Math professor Jeff Oak's web page Date Nail Info (2001), author of Date Nails and Railroad Tie Preservation (1999).

Text and images: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

Monday Morning Book Review: Shipwreck (Fast Forward)

2011-08-15T08:08:00.011-04:00

You may find this book hard to come by, but if you are in heritage education the quest to get Shipwreck by Claire Aston with illustrations by Peter Dennis will well be worth your trouble. The book follows a Spanish shipwreck from construction to its demise, rediscovery, and ultimate ending of a maritime heritage museum. Let’s

crack it open for a closer look.

First, I LOVE that the book begins where maritime research begins: boat construction. Before you have a shipwreck, you have to have a ship. And to understand what kind of ship you have, you must understand ship construction and diagnostic markers of the craft. In classrooms I point out the parts of the ship archaeologists will be more likely to come across: planks, frames, keel if they’re lucky.

The ship is loaded, sets out and is attacked by pirates. Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking…you had me until pirates. I use the images as an opportunity to show how the material culture is the same between the two sides of the battle. How could an archaeologist ever know if they have evidence of a pirate? What are the ways shipwrecks can be identified down to the vessel name?

My second favorite illustration that sets this book apart--they included the salvaging of gold and cargo in historic times. A great real life example to use is the Urca de Lima (see below right). After the vessel was grounded in a storm in 1715, the Spanish returned to burn the hull and recover cargo, including a private chest of silver. Part of debunking the idea that all shipwrecks have treasure is to demonstrate the wide array of use of ships and to point out that treasure precious enough for us to recover in our own time was certainly worth it to the Spanish to recover back then.

This shipwreck story has an unbelievably happy ending. It is rediscovered by sport divers and eventually an archaeological unit is brought in to properly excavate the site. Information from the wreck is used to create a replica and outdoor museum where the public can go and learn about the history of the ship and those who worked on board. There’s only a handful of wrecks that have experienced such a success. The Vasa and King Henry XIII's Mary Rose come to mind. But this is the goal--to discover and share significant sites with the public.

The book is comparable to Discovery Kids' series that includes A Street Through Time, A City Through Time, and A Port Through Time. They’re all good for showing change in landscapes over time but lack the archaeological component in Shipwreck. In the credits Dr. Lucy Blue at the Centre for Maritime Archaeology is cited as the consultant. The information presumably gain from Dr. Blue comes through in both the text and illustration.

Beautiful illustrations by Peter Dennis.

Shipwreck [Fast Forward (Barron's)] 2001 by Claire Aston and Peter Dennis.

There are 6 (SIX) available on Amazon or you can look around for a used copy.

"What Is It???" Wednesday

2011-08-10T15:12:00.000-04:00

Mystery object, you tell us!

This artifact could be found all over the country. Any guesses?

WHAT IS IT???

Last week seemed to stump the chumps...it's a fragment from a 24 lb cannon ball associated with Carl's on-going dig at the Spanish Quarter (view last week's post for pics). Given the time period of the strata the fragment came from, could be from Oglethorpe's 1740 siege of St. Augustine!

Monday Morning Book Review: Archaeologists Dig for Clues

2011-08-08T08:08:00.004-04:00

Morning! Inspired by a PowerPoint our intern Sarah Bennett put together, I though "Hey, why not share our list of favorite archaeology books with others!" Thus Monday Morning Book Review is born.

First up, Archaeologist Dig for Clues by Kate Duke. This soft cover, colorful publication by HarperCollins (1997) is a great starter for kids ages 5 and up. The colorful illustrations by Kate allow young readers to follow a class fieldtrip to an archaeological dig.

Sample page with text and illustration.

Sample sidebar

In addition to tools and time periods you'd excpect such a book to cover, there are great sidebars on how sites are found, how things get buried so deep, and how to map and fill out paperwork. For example the sidebar on how sites are found has a cute illustration of a tractor, backhoe, airplane, and old book to point out most sites are discovered accidentally or by methods other than "x marks the spot" on a map.

For student readability I tested it out on my 6 year old. She was able to read and enjoy the pictures. It was fun for me as an archaeologist to share what mommy does in a way she could self explore the pages. In otherwords, her attention wasn't always on what I was reading, but the illustrations and sidebars help focus her on a different aspect of archaeology at least once per page.

The last page makes me smile, it's a short quiz that reinforces what children should do when they uncover an artifact. Option A is to DIG DIG DIG!!! And Option B subtly reminds them there is a state archaeologist they can bring the artifact to, or better take a map of where they found the artifact. Option B channels their interest into becoming an observer or participant should the find lead to a dig.

Strong finish with excellent message, great work!

Overall A++! Great messaging, great illustrations, and a good tool I've used to bring archaeology into the classroom.

Blog text: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

Illustrations by Kate Duke in Archaeologists Dig for Clues

Find it on Amazon: Archaeologists Dig for Clues

Come on now, how cute is that!

The Case of the Missing Mound

2011-08-03T13:53:00.001-04:00

De Leon Springs State Park

In 1894, Archaeologist Clarence Bloomfield Moore (C.B. Moore) discovered a sand mound in the vicinity of De Leon Springs, now a popular Florida State Park in western Volusia County. In the late 1800s, Moore sailed up the St Johns River locating and excavating a number of Indian mounds along the river. In his notes he reports finding a truncated sand mound, 9 feet high and 450 feet in circumference near De Leon Springs. He excavated one burial but found no pottery or implements in the mound.

Lidar Map prepared by Graham Williams

A number of archaeological surveys have been conducted in De Leon Springs State Park since C. B. Moore’s visit but Moore’s sand mound has never been positively relocated. Some very interesting oral reports from credible sources have come to light and a sad tale was reported of two young boys burrowing into the mound in the 1940s. One boy lost his life when the mound collapsed and one of the reports stated that the mound was then bulldozed.

William Dreggors, De Land Historical Society

Last week Toni Wallace, of the FPAN - NE site identification team, arrived at the park to assist the park manager, Brian Polk, and state biologist, Graham Williams, to relocate the mound. We had reviewed all the previous surveys of the park but our best help came from a gentleman in his 80s from the De Land Historical Society. He remembered seeing the sand mound in the 1960s as he drove down the local county road. Before the State acquired De Leon Springs and created the State Park in 1982, the area was a cow pasture and the mound may have been visible from the road. But alas, large trees and underbrush have obscured the area now. Our octogenarian was able to point in the direction of the mound.

With the help of a bush hog tractor clearing the way, we set out on foot to find it. We found two possibilities but could not make a positive identification. There was no nine foot mound in evidence. We took GPS coordinates on the two possibilities but it will take further archaeological survey work to confirm the location of Moore’s missing mound.

The search team, Park Manager Brian Polk (right) and Biologist GrahamWilliams

So the saga of the elusive sand mound continues. Is it still there? Was it completely bulldozed? Shall we call out the PBS Secrets of the Dead team? If anyone has any information about the missing mound at De Leon Springs, please let us know as we continue our search for the mysterious Moore mound.

"What Is It???" Wednesday

2011-08-03T10:50:00.000-04:00

One of the fringe benefits of spending time in the City of St. Augustine's Archaeology lab is getting to ogle some really fascinating artifacts from time to time. When I visited the lab last Friday Carl showed me this little gem, found while excavating across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos:

Stumped? Here it is from the side...

And the front...

And one more angle...

SO WHAT IS IT???

Leave your best guess in the comments section below!

By the way, the answer to last week's WIIW post is the Windover Site in Brevard County. Congratulations to our winner, Alex Buell!

To find out more about Windover, click here. For much more detail, check out the book!

Reveal the Intruders! Another Day On Site With St. Augustine Archaeology

2011-07-28T17:12:00.000-04:00

When excavating the old town, nothing is ever simple.

It's been a while, but I finally got back to the Colonial Spanish Quarter today to check out the City of St. Augustine's latest dig. Carl Halbirt and his loyal crew of volunteers continue an investigation that began last winter, when the City and National Park Service collaborated for plans to create a trolley stop across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos. At that time, Carl made an unprecedented discovery--he and his team turned up evidence of some kind of fortification (not necessarily an official fort) that was even older than the Castillo!

The crew continues to chase the fortification's posts to get a clearer picture of how the Spanish used this area in the late 16th century, but that's not all they get. St. Augustine's Archaeology Division often works on what turn out to be multi-component sites--spaces that have been used and reused by different people and for various purposes over time. This excavation area is just such a site.

Carl and his volunteers excavate a variety of features.

When I arrived this morning, I saw some of the City's volunteers already hard at work in the area that had been stripped of its top soil for excavation. On the ground surface all around them were soil stains outlined in string--each one denoting a feature. Some of the features stood alone, untouched by the soil stains nearby. Others had clearly overlapped--in fact, volunteers were absorbed with excavating some of these, being very careful to dig out only one feature at a time. It's important to excavate each feature by itself to determine its age and purpose.

Foreground: Carl examines a possible pig roast pit, disturbed by an
intrusive post feature on its west (left) side.
Background: Moses excavates one of four features that overlap.

So how do features intrude on one another in the first place? At this site, for example, we see the earliest colonial use as a fortification--either as a formal fort or as a defensive wall, built in the late 1500s. That fortification was made by putting massive wooden posts in the ground--big enough to support thick walls and maybe artillery. This fortification was likely no longer used by the time the Castillo was built, so would have been obsolete 100 years later. It may have been torn down, with little to no evidence left of where it stood. So when someone decided to use that stretch of land for another purpose, new holes were dug into the ground, sometimes on or right next to where those massive posts once stood. By the time archaeologists get there, nothing is left of the wooden posts and other features--we just see overlapping soil stains of different colors & textures.

At the Colonial Spanish Quarter site, I saw dozens of features. In addition to the 16th century fortification posts, Carl had a line of postmolds to a structure that dated from 1725-1750. A possible pig roast pit had been intruded upon by a different post. One of the fortification posts had been intruded upon by an unidentified pit, which had been dug into by one of those 18th century posts.

The soil stain at the top of the photo represents an 18th century postmold, intruded upon by a pit (the excavated hole)
that also disturbed one of the 15th century fortification postmolds.

Probably the craziest series of intrusive features, though, brought us from the early 1st Spanish Period to (almost) modern day. We again started with one of those 16th century fortification post molds. On one side, the post was disturbed by a dog burial from the late 1800s or early 1900s (before 1910). On the other side, an 18th century pit intruded on it. That miscellaneous pit, in turn had been disrupted by a shovel test dug by Carl in 2005 as he carried out the earliest excavations of that site!

The dog burial (left) intrudes upon one of the original fortification posts. Note: most of the dog's remains were excavated prior to my arrival.

I watched the volunteers carefully extract the contents of each feature before we mapped and photographed them. As the crew packed up at the end of the day's work, I asked Carl what he would like to share about the site, and he pointed out yet another kind of encroachment. Those posts that date from 1725-1750 reflect a residential structure built as little as 30 years after the Castillo de San Marcos was finished. He says it shows that people were already starting to creep in on the designated space around the fort--kept clear because it would have been within firing range for guns and cannon!

When he mentioned that, I reflected on the morning I had spent trying to focus while jumping out of my skin every time the Spanish Quarter's re-enactors demonstrated musket firing. It occurred to me that unlike those intrusions in the ground, which go unnoticed until they are meticulously unearthed by archaeologists, a residence that intruded on the firing zone of the Castillo could not be so peaceful--there's NO way that being that close could go unnoticed.

If you missed the St. Augustine Record's article about the dig in January, find it here.
Also read our February blog about the City's finds here.

Want to get involved? Join the St. Augustine Archaeological Association and find out how to volunteer with Carl!

Pensacola and St. Augustine: Call a Truce for July 21!

2011-07-21T09:17:00.000-04:00

Proclamation read for 190th commemoration.

Happy Birthday St. Johns County! You are 190 years young today. You too Escambia. As the 500th and 450th commemorations approach us in St. Augustine, it is healing to put aside famous firsts and focus on what we have in common. What do you say Pensacola? Shake on it, even if just for the day?

Thanks to Robin Moore's presentation to the St. Johns County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, I learned more than I ever knew before about the formation of our county and the significant role it played in establishing Florida as a U.S. Territory.

The presentation began with an overview of prehistoric and historic cultures present in St. Johns county for over 10,000 years and events that brought the county into being. Some of the oldest place names in the county demonstrate the long period of occupation by the Timucuan natives, First Spanish military and mission sites, British period influence, and back again to Spanish reign in 1784.

To the day at hand-- Spain cedes Florida to the United States in 1819 and the land transfer takes place in 1821. Transfer of flags took place in St. Augustine July 10, 1821. The transfer of West Florida occurred in Pensacola on July 17, 1821. Less than a week later General Jacksonon's first act as Provincial Governor was approving an ordinance that created two political jurisdictions with courts, a sheriff for each court, and no less than 10 justices of the peace for each jurisdiction – the business of land transfers was probably a top priority.

(West Florida 7 days later, but who's counting)

Two Counties - One Day

Those two jurisdictions were St. Johns County east of the Suwannee River, and Escambia County west of the Suwannee River that was on July 21, 1821, 190 years ago. The names of these counties were both derived from large rivers that existed close to each county seat, and their jurisdictions echoed those established by the British in 1763 with St Augustine and Pensacola being the administrative centers. Not only were we one of the two first counties, but we were the largest!

(easy now Robin, we're trying to get along today)

(but wow, we are quite large to start in 1821!)

Now 190 years later, thanks to Robin, the County recognized the significance of the day by reading a proclamation at the start of the County Commission meeting on Tuesday.

Robin mid-presentation at Tuesday's County Commission meeting.

Well done Robin, and thanks to St. Johns County Commissioners for taking the time during one of the most debated meetings this year (budget discussion followed); the more we know the more we appreciate our place in the world. For more information or presentation request, contact Robin Moore, Historic Resource Specialist for St. Johns County at remoore@sjcfl.us or check out the county website.

PS- Sorry Pensacola, tomorrow the cease fire ends and "WE'RE NUMBER ONE!" chants are back on!

"What Is It???" Wednesday

2011-07-20T14:21:00.000-04:00

Last week too hard? This week's WIIW highlights one of the most unique archaeological sites in Florida.

What are we looking at here? Drawing made based on archaeological investigations at a significant and sacred site in east Florida (hint: Brevard County).

Have a guess, reaction, or information for our readers? Please post a comment!

WHAT IS IT????

Answer to last week's "What Is It???" Wednesday: B) Osceola capture site! Read more on the blog entry Osceola's Capture Site posted earlier today.

Osceola's Capture Site

2011-07-20T11:14:00.001-04:00

Last week we posted a "What Is It???" Wendesday quiz that seemed to stump the chumps. Answer was B, the monument in the photograph marks the capture site of Osceola.

Capture site of Osceola.

From Coquina Queries, Kelley Weitzel wrote up the capture of Osceola in lesson 4:

From Coquina Queries Lesson 4: http://www.coquinaqueries.org/

The reason we were at the site is arguably as interesting as the marker itself. Last week the planning committee for the Annual Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Project was in town scouting sites for the 2012 conference to be held in St. Augustine. The conference aims to bring Black Seminole descendants to St. Augustine and discuss the international pursuit of freedom from historic times up to present. James Bullock, local artist/interpreter and Black Seminole descendant, gave a 1st person interpretation of a Seminole traveling and fighting alongside Osceola.

Found this great clip on YouTube of James doing what he does best, first person interpretation out in the field:

The site is on private property with an easement for access by the County. To read more about the National Park Service Network to Freedom, check out their website for sites, activities, and content for teachers. For information about James Bullock and programs offered, check the History Lives Now website.

More pictures from our tour:

All this flagging tape was at the site...anyone know why??

Text and photos: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

450th: Here we go (again)

2011-07-19T12:38:00.000-04:00

Over lunch I digest not just my Casa Maya sandwich, but comments made at the inaugural meeting of the Federal 450th commission meeting. We've had a lot, a lot, I mean A LOT of first meetings for the 450th, but nothing like this. First there was the 450th Corps (still have the bumper sticker on our car!), then there was the City commission that (as I understand it) due to financial disclosure requirements morphed into the private First America Foundation. The later institution folded last month with the stepping down of the chair and several other board members (see St. Augustine Record article). You'd think this morning I woke up and went to work jaded about 450th business. And you'd be right.

Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning.

Yet, I write renewed, ready to participate and partner for a fantastic 450th. What brought on the renewed momentum? Could it have been the simple standing for the pledge of allegiance? Secretary of State Ken Browning, the most over-qualified pledge leader I've witnessed in my life so far, snapped me back to every moment in every classroom that I've ever said the pledge. I first felt defiant like a 4th grader mumbling, but the act served as a reminder that we are at work for the Nation today.

Could the renewal have come from Ken Salazar, the US Secretary of the Interior, standing on the Flagler College stage and affirming our town as a National "jewel." Keep in mind non-archies, for my entire professional career everything I've done and said has been in service one way or another to his office. Everything written and investigated is done to Secretary of Interior standards. And because I meet his list of qualifications to be an archaeologist, I can say I am one. He travels all over the US--Montana, Wisconsin, and San Antonio just last week--and for the nation and world to see him cooperating with our city means a great deal to those watching.

Secretary of the Interior shares his perspective as 8th generation Spanish descendant and resident of New Mexico.

It might have been the ceremony of the entire morning, the trickle down of statistical fodder that will "help me to help you" and do my job. Secretary Salazar fueled discussions about the economy and the importance of investing in the conservation agenda. By preserving our natural and cultural resources we impact in a very positive way job creation (6.5 million jobs) and tourism industry ($700 billion dollars spent by visitors). Those stats are the best fuel we have for defending cultural resources during these hard economic times.

Senator Bill Nelson gives history lesson and emphasizes Spanish legacy.

Next to talk was Senator Bill Nelson who said en Espanol that the history of Florida is the history of the United States, a theme that repeated in other addresses. Senator Nelson summarized the expeditions of the 15th and 16th centuries from de Leon to de Vaca and de Soto. It is clear Nelson and Salazar have mutual affinity for each other and have worked together in the past on Everglades and the Tamiami Trail.

Reprentative Mica provides stats on visitation and Commission duties.

Representative Mica brought attention to the duties of the Commission. Printed on the back of the program (see below) they state facilitation duties, but also call for scholarly research and interpretation of St. Augustine; to provide a lasting legacy and long-term benefit of the proceedings; and to recognize the diverse heritage present in St. Augustine in 1565.

Mica also reminded all in the room that we are a city of 12,000 who manage over 200 sites that predate the American Revolution. This is quite a burden on our town, one we are obviously willing to take up and celebrate, but we're going to need help. Essential in carrying out this work will be the construction of a new Visitor's Center. He cited 1.3-1.4 million visitors each year come to the Castillo de San Marcos, but there is not yet an appropriate visitors center to welcome them. How's this for a stat- the last three visitor Centers to receive federal funding were the Martin Luther King site in Atlanta, Volcano National Park in California and Denali in Alaska; the top three of these combined receive 1.3 million visitors per year, same as annual visitation for the Castillo alone. Carl Halbirt is this very week conducting the archaeological investigations on the property to clear it for permitted construction.

Head Ranger at the Castillo Gordy Wilson listens as his park becomes focal point of Mica's comments.

Mayor Boles makes no small plan for St. Augustine.

Finally, Mayor Joe Boles of St. Augustine gave concise, spirited comments to demonstrate that as a town we are, to use a poker term, "all in" on this event. He borrowed words from the planner of the Chicago World's Fair organizer Daniel Burnham: "Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized." Boles said we will celebrate anything and everything. "Nothing happened in the country that didn't resonate here." Well put Mayor. He clearly sees the event on par with an Olympics, a World's Fair, or at least a Super Bowl.

But the highlight for me as an archaeologist was the address made by Dr. Kathleen Deagan near the close of the meeting. On behalf of historians and archaeologists working in the community, she welcomed the commission and said we are ready and willing to work with them to make the 450th a national success. She cited many of Carl's recent finds, including the 1572 parish church found during the Aviles construction last summer and the 1570's fortification currently under study at the Spanish Quarter. Her comments highlighted the collaborative and awesome historical nature of archaeology in this town. Nowhere else can historical archaeology in the United State reach back as far as the late sixteenth-century. Her call to include all the diverse 16th century stories recalled a comment made earlier by Salazar, that in St. Augustine we need to tell the story in all its completeness, the story of how we became a nation.

Dr. Kathleen Deagan, my hero.

I left, as you know, to travel down to Casa Maya and get lunch. Participants walked the streets, and unbeknownst to many, I could hear the instant review of the public as they also walked the streets in pairs and groups of different numbers. Many criticized previous attempts to organize. Many agreed that the greatest failing of the other efforts came down to not recognizing the diversity of cultures present at the 16th century "discovery" and later founding. There were many skeptics of the political posturing ("getting the Latino vote" was a comment I heard more than five times). But I do sincerely believe that the Federal Commission marks a start of upward momentum in taking on the 450th celebration. I felt everyone agreed the time for the creative throwing out of ideas was over, that it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

At the helm will be Jay Kislak, who is today the most googled man in the 32085 zip code. He was surprisingly (to me at least) and unanimously voted in as chair of the commission with Mayor Boles and Katharine Dickenson voted as co-vice chairs. He offered this comment on himself though I think it a fitting mantram for all involved: "I might not be the best, but I'll do my best."

I'm excited to see the next steps of the commission and the open hiring process for an Executive Director. And I'm excited as excitement for the 450th ramps up to be a part of it. If you'd like to join and take part, attend an upcoming meeting for the commission, join the SAAA and attend monthly lectures, look for more information on a Florida Humanities Council conference to be held (pending funding) at Flagler College in May 2012, and special Viva Florida commemorative talks in preparation by Center staff.

Wouldn't be a 450th meeting without Menendez! Chad from FOY on right.

Program contents:

Text and photos: Sarah Miller, FPAN staff

To view more pictures check out our Twitpic gallery from July 18th meeting http://twitpic.com/photos/FPANNortheast

For other perspectives of the meeting, check out these other on-line articles:

Historic City News

St. Augustine Record

"What Is It???" Wednesday Quiz

2011-07-13T16:44:00.001-04:00

This week National Park Service staff from the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Project were in town to plan for the 2012 annual conference to be held in St. Augustine. We snagged a last minute invite to join the confererence planning committee on a guided fieldtrip to a very significant and rarely visited site in our region.

In a WIIW adaptation, consider this a special quiz edition. Know what it is (or what it's not!), share your guess by posting it to the blog, Facebook, or tweet.

WHAT IS IT?!?!?

A) Dade Massacre Monument

B) Capture Site of Osceola

C) Signing site of 1823 Moultrie Creek Treaty

D) Marker for escaped slave from Bulow Plantation

Teachers Dig Into the Past With Project Archaeology

2011-07-12T11:17:00.000-04:00

Over the last month the Northeast Region has gotten into the swing of teaching the teachers. We've conducted two workshops using Project Archaeology's Investigating Shelter curriculum. Even better, the curriculum now includes a brand new component on Kingsley Plantation--a real archaeology site from our region! The lessons use principles of archaeology and a real site to teach math, science, and social studies.

Teachers dig into the lessons, creating a museum of special
items in our homes that tell something important about each of us.

What do the things in our homes tell about our lives?
Teachers build a graph using living room activities.

So far it's been a lot of fun. The great thing about these lessons is that they let students explore the material through hands-on activities, learning and understanding for themselves how archaeology works. The lessons also provide rare insight into what life was like for the enslaved people who lived on Fort George Island during Zephaniah Kingsley's tenure there.

We practice classification using doohickey kits!

Some of my favorite parts of the workshop occur when teachers really get in to some of the hands-on lessons. It's fun for me to watch grownups have kid-like moments of curiosity and discovery, and just to watch them play with the lessons at hand.

Playing on the floor! Teachers tried their hand at "excavating"
our living room site.

On day 2, they used the skills they had gained to lay out artifacts on a
slave cabin tarp and interpret the archaeological data.

One of the highlights of our first two workshops is that they took place at Kingsley--so teachers were treated to a site tour by Emily Palmer, one of the rangers who played an important role in creating the Kingsley curriculum.

Emily stops the tour behind some of the east cabins, where a well was excavated in 2010-2011.

Each workshop lasts two days and offers 15 hours of training, which can be used for in-service credit. We are offering one more workshop this summer--July 19 & 20--and there are still seats available! Contact Amber if you would like to attend.

Anchors and Artifacts and Kids, Oh My!

2011-07-01T10:07:00.000-04:00

Whew!

I'm finally back in the office for a couple of days after what has been an incredibly busy spring (and early summer). I'm so glad to have a few minutes to pass along some of the fun I've been having with kids all over northeast Florida. I love getting to work with kids and visit classrooms, but really don't get out there as much as some may think. May and June of this year, though, had me hopping from county to county to talk (and play) archaeology.

Clay County Students map in artifacts found in a Kingsley slave cabin.

One of the visits I make most regularly is not to a school at all, but to Camp Chowenwaw in Clay County. It's a county park with camping and even tree houses, but during the school year they offer terrific field trips. When a school arrives, kids break into groups and rotate through a few different programs. Some focus on local plants or aquatic life--one even revolves around the ongoing adventures of a flying squirrel! I love getting to work into their rotation. This spring I brought out the Kingsley Plantation tarp, which displays images of artifacts in the locations where they were found. Kids get to take a look at them and map them in, then we work together using context & classification to draw conclusions about the site itself.

Not long thereafter, I got to cooperate with the Friends of A1A and other entities at the Environmental Education Fair near Marineland. What a whirlwind! They had invited several participating groups to that event; kids rotated from station to station in ten-minute intervals. If you ever want to know just how quickly you can form sentences, get yourself a half-day of ten-minute intervals. This event was terrific too because it highlights the way that FPAN can act as a partner in events, working with organizations with diverse interests to provide a truly unique educational experience for kids.

Nesting terns make homes on the beach.

Fourth graders from a school in Flagler County came out and got to visit my station as well as a number of others. The St. Johns Audobon Society spoke to kids about nesting terns (and I almost didn't even notice the nest!).

State Parks Ranger Melissa Kafel.

Melissa Kafel from Washington Oaks Garden State Park discussed point and non-point pollution, the Alligator Farm brought all things alligator (and other aquatic life), and Marineland's Dolphin Conservation Center provided information and activities about--what else?--dolphins.

The program that really tripped my trigger was from GTM-NERR, who provided microscopes and sands from a variety of locations. Why? Sea turtles return to the beach of their birth to lay their own eggs, and recognize home by the sand. In case you ever wonder what sea turtles and archaeologists have in common, the answer is soil composition.

My program was a two-part dive into underwater archaeology--which meant that my kids got 5 minutes at each of the activities I planned for them. At one station, we explored how shipwreck sites form underwater, using pages from the book A Shipwreck Through Time. At the other hand, students got to try their hand at mapping an anchor. Archaeologists, underwater or otherwise, know how important it is to document artifacts in situ, so it's a fun hands-on way to start thinking about the skills and methods we use in the field.

Next, I was invited to Crookshank Elementary as a participant in their round of Earth Day Celebration. I saw kids from 3rd-5th grades and showed pictures of real sites from excavations, as well as some of underwater sites I'd visited during a recent HADS training. Then we played a game with a bag full of "artifacts" from a modern-day space to see what we could learn about the place and its inhabitants.

Eco-campers learned how Native pottery decorations changed
over time & got to try some techniques for themselves.

When school got out, I had an event that allowed me the opportunity to spend nearly a whole day talking and playing archaeology with campers at Ravine Gardens State Park, which offers a five-day camp each summer. At the first day of their Eco Adventures Camp, I brought a variety of different activities--we did a Project Archaeology context game, artifacts in a bag, and a hands-on activity to learn about the development of Native American pottery and decorations in northeast Florida.

Some kids were so creative! This little
guy led to a discussion about figurines.

We finished out the day with a modified version of a perennial favorite, atl-atls. I took the kids outside to talk a little more about Native American technology and showed them a replica spear and atl-atl before turning them loose to try their hand at the same sort of technology. Using a modern version of the prehistoric hunting tool, campers documented the difference between how far they threw a tennis ball with their bare hand and how much farther it went using the extended throwing arm.

Campers use a modern interpretation of prehistoric atl-atl
technology--a toy used to play fetch with dogs!

As much as times like this keep me running, I really benefit from practicing different activities in a variety of formats. Aside from getting my fill of fun with kids, it really does keep me on my toes.

My view of the beach from the A1A Environmental Education Fair.

Don't Miss St. Augustine's Oldest Maps at the Oldest House Museum

2011-06-22T17:35:00.001-04:00

Oldest House Museum Map Exhibit with Boazio Map 1589

I just spent a fascinating two hours at the Oldest House Museum's new exhibit entitled 5 Centuries of Our Coast - A Visual History of the Nation's Oldest City and its Shores. This is a wonderful exhibit covering 500 years of St. Augustine maps in the Page Edwards Gallery at the Oldest House Museum Complex. The exhibit was created by Susan Parker and Megan Wilson.

I have always been fascinated by maps, especially very old maps and what they can reveal about the past. When I moved to St. Augustine, I had the pleasure of being introduced to the wonderful map collection at the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library and Oldest House Museum. Carl Halbirt, the City Archaeologist, always uses maps as the first step in preparing to conduct an archaeological survey in the City. St. Augustine is blessed with a long chronology of maps depicting the European city through time. These maps are curated at the Library in a special room in large flat map drawers. In the past, with special permission and clean hands, one could gain access to this gold mine of information. As a volunteer with Carl, I could occasionally indulge my desire to immerse myself in the old maps of St. Augustine.

Albert Cantino's Planisphere Map from 1502 - first map to show the coast of Florida

2009 Satellite Image of the Gulf Stream

But now, voila, reproductions and enlargements of the old maps are accessible to anyone with an interest in St. Augustine and its maps. The exhibit will be at the gallery for two years and is free to St. Johns County residents. The span of St. Augustine and Florida history covered by the maps in the exhibit begins with a 1502 map showing part of the coast of Florida and ends with a 21st century satellite image of the Gulf Stream.

I have volunteered on a number of St. Augustine archaeology projects in the past decade and most of them have benefited from a review of appropriate maps. Maps help archaeologists determine where to begin to excavate and how to interpret the data. University of Florida Archaeologist, Dr. Kathleen Deagan, has been excavating at the Fountain of Youth and Mission of Nombre de Dios since the 1970's. Early maps of the waterways and coast line helped her establish through archaeology where the City's founder, Pedro Menendez landed and settled and where the first Franciscan mission to the Timucua Indians, Nombre de Dios, was located.

Map of St. Augustine and Neighborhood by H.S. Wyllie 1898

Dr. Deagan says that the property maps of St. Augustine made during the 18th century are particularly helpful in doing archaeology at sites in the City. When St. Augustine transferred hands from Spanish to British rule in 1764, the Elixio de la Puente Map of the town's properties, was drawn to assist with the transfer of the town to the incoming English. Today it helps archaeologists establish the quarters or neighborhoods where the soldiers, craftsmen and government officials resided as well as the location of "Indian Towns" outside the town walls. Twenty years later, Florida was returned to Spanish rule. The Rocque Map of 1788, another property map of the town, was drawn. This map accurately documents the changes in configuration of the individual properties at the end of Florida's British period by showing lot lines, housing materials and ownership.

Plan of the Fort and City of St. Augustine, Florida by Juan Joseph Eligio de la Puenta 1764

Plano Particular de la Ciudad de San Agustin by Mariano de la Rocque 1788

Because the town tended to grow on the highest elevations, Lydar elevation maps help to trace the expansions of the old town over time.

Example of Lydar Map

In our modern era, the Intracoastal Waterway opened up a highway for boating from New Jersey all the way to Miami. Maps of the Intracoastal from the Georgia line to St. Augustine are included in the exhibit. In the early 20th century Bird's Eye View maps and a series of Sanborn Insurance Maps of streets and buildings provided detailed information on the building footprints on lots and building additions and demolitions over time. All of this information assists archaeologist's in the planning and interpretation of excavations.

Intracoastal Waterway chart from Nassau Sound to Matanzas Inlet 1952

Bird's Eye View of the City of St. Augustine by Henry Wellge 1885

Maps are a window into the past and a great asset to archaeologists who can then fill in the details of life in colonial St. Augustine. I highly recommend a visit to the Oldest House Museum's St. Augustine map exhibit.
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Archaeology on the Air

2011-06-16T16:12:00.000-04:00

Wonder what you've been missing in northeast Florida archaeology this summer? Tune in to hear me on the radio this Sunday! I joined Jim Byard of Renda Broadcasting a couple of weeks ago to discuss the ins & outs of archaeology and dish the dirt on local digs.

The show airs Sunday, June 19 from 6-6:30a.m. You can tune in to four different Jacksonville stations to catch it:

Lite 96.1
Country Legends 100.7
Sunny 94.1
Gator 99.9

Or find the show online at http://www.wejz.com/

And if anyone knows how to record streaming audio on a computer, please let me know!