While taking Florida Archaeology at UCF, a friend and I found what we thought was an ancient pottery sherd on Lake Beresford's shore. Convinced we had found a great new Florida site, we pondered a name for it. A mix of our last names? I swept away the dust from the artifact. (Ouch, I know, I know.) Then took pictures of the "sherd" from every angle. I sent them to my professor. She warmly praised my "delightful enthusiasm" for finding an old turtle shell. To compound my dashed hopes, she gently lectured me. She stressed not to disturb sites or artifacts, especially in state and federal parks. It was an important lesson.
Volusia is a wealth of historic and prehistoric materials. While hiking or on waterways, you can easily find spear points, arrowheads, pottery shards, and even European iron tools. These artifacts tell important stories about our past. But, green history hunters like me can lose some details of those stories. This happens when we disturb or remove artifacts from their resting places.
Why does it matter if I remove a possible artifact? Well, for starters, it could be illegal. Federal law protects archaeological sites and artifacts on federal lands. You may not dig or collect artifacts, use metal detectors, or deface rock images in national parks. Violations could result in jail time or fines. It's essential to preserve artifacts in their original state for these reasons:
1. Cultural and Historical Significance: Ancient pottery reveals much about past civilizations. It shows their art, technology, and culture. Researchers can study pottery undisturbed in its original location. This helps us understand ancient societies and their cultural heritage.
2. Archaeologists must consider the context of found artifacts to understand their significance. A site's location, position, and links can hint at its use. They can also show its relation to other artifacts and features. Removing artifacts from their original context harms their relationships. The discovery also reduces the amount of information that we can learn.
3. Dating and Chronology: Artifacts' positions in a stratigraphic sequence can help archaeologists. They can use this to create a relative chronology of a site. Researchers can find the order of occupation and cultural links. They can do this by analyzing the layers with artifacts.
4. Preservation and Conservation: Ancient artifacts are often fragile and prone to deterioration. Moving them increases the risk of damage, breakage, or loss. Keeping artifacts in their original context helps preserve and protect them. It allows for better conservation methods.
Okay, so what should you do if you stumble upon the next great historic or prehistoric site in Florida? Resist the urge to dig up whatever you can find and post it on social media. Instead, contact groups that specialize in these sites and artifacts for guidance.
The National Park Service's Heritage Preservation Services
Helps citizens and communities identify, evaluate, protect and preserve historic properties.
National Register of Historic Places
National Register, History and Education
National Park Service
1201 Eye St., N.W., 8th Floor (MS 2280)
Washington D.C., 20005
(202) 354-2213
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation
906 E Park Ave. Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: (850) 224-8128
Florida Anthropological Society, Inc. (FAS)
P.O. Box 608
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
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