LAMAR Institute Launches Revamped Website

On March 15, 2009 The LAMAR Institute unveiled its revamped website at http://shapiro.anthro.uga.edu/Lamar/. The website's makeover used the Joomla platform to make a more useful source for information about archaeology and history in the Southeastern United States. The new website also contains new content, including another 10 archaeological reports, which are available for free download as Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files.

TOM GRESHAM RECEIVES JOSEPH R. CALDWELL AWARD

Who: Thomas H. Gresham, President, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc.; Secretary-Treasurer, The LAMAR Institute.

What: Joseph Ralston Caldwell Award, an honor bestowed by the Society for Georgia Archaeology on noteworthy archaeologists in Georgia

When: May, 2008

Where: Fernbank Natural History Museum, Atlanta, Georgia

Why: Thomas H. Gresham was given this honor because of her outstanding achievements in Georgia archaeology.

How: The Society for Georgia Archaeology has awarded the Joseph Ralston Caldwell Award to only five people since its inception in 1990. Previous recipients of the award were George S. Lewis, Frankie Snow, David Chase, Elizabeth "Betsy" Shirk, and Rita Folse Elliott.

Atlanta, Georgia, May, 2008 -

At this year’s spring meeting of The Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA), Thomas H. Gresham was presented the Joseph R. Caldwell Award for outstanding service to Georgia Archaeology. The Caldwell Award recognizes those individuals dedicating a noteworthy amount of time and energy toward supporting an archaeological project; making outstanding contributions in the area of public education and Georgia archeology; and providing substantial support for SGA and its programs over time.

Mr. Gresham has been dedicated to preserving the history and prehistory of Georgia and making that information available to the public, often by donating his time and expertise, often behind the scenes, for the past thirty years. As a principal in Southeastern Archeological Services cultural resource management firm, Tom has performed archaeological investigations in an ethical and professional manner, resulting in the identification and protection of hundreds of sites in Georgia. He has also pursued research interests such as his investigation of historic rock piles and aided in interpretation of these sites. An Eagle Scout, he has volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America in investigations around Clark Hill Reservoir as well as made numerous presentations to school groups, library groups, and others to raise awareness of Georgia’s archaeological resources. He is past President of the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists, long time officer and board member of the LAMAR Institute and President of the Oglethorpe County Historical Society. Tom has worked for the protection of human burials and was on the committee that drafted Georgia’s burial law, OGA 36-72. In addition, as a governor-appointed member of the Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns since its inception, Tom has provided archaeological expertise in dealing with burial issues brought before the Council as well as assisted in producing information to explain the laws and landowner rights to the public and developers. He has devoted innumerable volunteer hours as an active member of SGA. He is currently serving his second term as Secretary of SGA, having served a 4-year term as board member prior to taking this office and for five years prior to that as Profile editor. During his term as board member, he was instrumental in preparation of the application for 501(c)3 status as well as providing the solution for a permanent address for the organization. As Secretary he has continued to manage the member database, coordinate new member services, and provide support for Early Georgia distribution. Notably, he was the mover and shaker behind the recent acquisition of the Athens Clarke County regional library’s retired bookmobile for refitting as SGA’s archaeology mobile.

The award reflects the many contributions of Joseph Ralston Caldwell, whose archaeological fieldwork in Georgia and work in the Southeastern U.S. began at the Works Progress Administration excavations near Savannah during the late Depression. Professor Caldwell taught Anthropology at the University of Georgia from 1967 until his death in 1973. The first Caldwell Award was presented in 1990 to long-time SGA member George S. Lewis, followed by Frankie Snow in 1992, Jim Langford in 1993, David Chase in 2000, Betsy Shirk in 2004, and Rita Elliott in 2007.

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Who: Rita Folse Elliott, Curator of Exhibits and Archaeology, Coastal Heritage Society [Savannah, GA] and Education Coordinator, The LAMAR Institute.

What: Joseph Ralston Caldwell Award, an honor bestowed by the Society for Georgia Archaeology on noteworthy archaeologists in Georgia

When: May 19, 2007

Where: Fort Hawkins Archaeological Park, Fort Hill and Woolfolk Streets, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

Why: Rita Folse Elliott was given this honor because of her outstanding achievements in Georgia archaeology since her first arrival in 1985.

How: The Society for Georgia Archaeology has awarded the Joseph Ralston Caldwell Award to only five people since its inception in 1990. Previous recipients of the award were George S. Lewis, Frankie Snow, David Chase, and Elizabeth "Betsy" Shirk.

Macon, GA - May 19, 2007 - At the spring meeting of The Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA), Rita F. Elliott was presented the Joseph R. Caldwell Award for outstanding service to Georgia Archaeology. During the presentation, it was noted that the Board of Directors voted unanimously to bestow this award to Ms. Elliott.

The Caldwell Award recognizes those individuals dedicating a noteworthy amount of time and energy toward supporting an archaeological project; making outstanding contributions in the area of public education and Georgia archeology; and providing substantial support for SGA and its programs over time. Ms. Elliott, Curator of Exhibits and Archaeology at the Coastal Heritage Society, has been active in SGA for almost two decades. During her tenure as Vice-President, she initiated a revitalization of SGA that resulted in the adoption of the current mission statement and strategy. As President, Ms. Elliott oversaw a number of accomplishments including creation of the George Lewis Archaeology Stewardship Award and Science Fair Award for Archaeology for high school and middle school students, and establishment of the endowment fund. In addition, she contributed to public education through SGA outreach and education as well as through the LAMAR Institute. Included were Elderhostel programs, workshops at the state social studies conference, development of a teaching trunk, and preparation of lesson plans to complement the annual Archaeology Month promotions. Ms. Elliott, along with her archaeologist husband, Daniel Elliott, has for the past two decades investigated the archaeological site of New Ebenezer in Effingham County. She designed and constructed an exhibit on the archaeology of the site that is located in the Salzburger Museum and has worked with the owners of the site to find funding for excavations as well as volunteered her time to promote archaeology at the site. According to Betsy Shirk, who presented the award on behalf of SGA, "Ms. Elliott is the perfect candidate for the Caldwell Award - those SGA board members of the early 1990s had they been able to see into the future could not have created an award that would better characterize the contributions of Ms. Elliott to SGA and Georgia archaeology."

The award, last presented in 2004 to Betsy Shirk, reflects the many contributions of Joseph Ralston Caldwell, whose archaeological fieldwork in Georgia and work in the Southeastern U.S. began at the Works Progress Administration excavations near Savannah during the late Depression. He served as Professor of Anthropology at the University of Georgia from 1967 until his death in 1973. The first Caldwell Award was presented in 1990 to long-time SGA member George S. Lewis in recognition of numerous exemplary contributions he made to Georgia archaeology.

The Society for Georgia Archaeology is a non-profit organization composed of avocational and professional archaeologists, and interested members of the general public. Its purpose is to preserve, study and interpret Georgia's historic and prehistoric archaeological sites. Concerned citizens can take an active role in preserving our collective archaeological heritage by becoming a member of the Society for Georgia Archaeology. For more information about The Society for Georgia Archaeology, see www.thesga.org .

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Who: Archaeological team from the LAMAR Institute launches study of Fort Hawkins

What:Fort Hawkins, the primary U.S. Army headquarters in the South after 1805

When: Fort Hawkins, 1806-1828; the archaeological project began in August 2005

Where: Fort Hill and Woolfolk Streets, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

Why: The Fort Hawkins Commission plans to rebuild Fort Hawkins on its original site and archaeological study is needed

How: Archaeologists are employing large scale excavation techniques to uncover the fort and learn about the lives of its inhabitants.

Macon, Georgia, November 7, 2005-- Fort Hawkins was a U.S. Army post established in 1806 and it lasted into the mid-1820s. The fort also served as the primary "Factory" for the Indian trade between. The fort had a permanent garrison of more than 200 Infantrymen and at times its population swelled to more than 2,000. The fort was used in the War of 1812 and the 1st Seminole War (1817-1818).

Preliminary mapping of the fort has been completed and historical research is currently underway. Archaeologists begin extensive excavations of Fort Hawkins on November 9, 2005. The public is invited to visit the excavations beginning on Saturday November 12th. Tours of the excavations will be offered daily from November 12-23 at 10AM and 2PM. School groups are encouraged but teachers should contact Mr. Elliott in advance. A second phase of excavation at Fort Hawkins is planned for June 2006.  A completion date of October 2006 is set for the archaeological work, which coincides with the 200th anniversary of the fort's founding.

The Lamar Institute is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization registered in Box Springs, Georgia to promote research and public education on archaeology in the Southeastern United States. The Fort Hawkins project is part of the institute's Pre-Civil War Forts Initiative, which seeks to locate and explore military sites in Georgia dating prior to 1861. The project is funded by grant monies raised by the City of Macon's Fort Hawkins Commission. Assistance is also provided by the Society for Georgia Archaeology.  To learn more about this project, visit this web address: http://lamarinstitute.org/Fort Hawkins Project.htm .

Excavations on the South Side of Fort Hawkins, 2005. For higher resolution version of this image, click HERE.

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ARCHAEOLOGISTS SEARCH FOR MASSACRE SITE

Who: Archaeological team from the LAMAR Institute searches for Mary Musgrove's main trading post

What: Fort Mount Venture, a 1730-1740s Georgia Ranger fort and trading post

When: Mount Venture, 1736-1742

Where: Sansavilla Bluff, Altamaha River, Wayne County, Georgia

Why: The Mount Venture massacre at Sansavilla Bluff marks a major event in Georgia's colonial history.

How: Archaeologists are employing multiple research tools to locate the fort and massacre site, including historical research, geographic information systems (GIS), ground penetrating radar (GPS), metal detectors, as well as more traditional shovel test grids and small excavations.

Jesup, Georgia, September 13, 2004-- On a quiet fall day in 1742 violence erupted at a lonely military outpost on Georgia’s western perimeter. Spanish-allied Yamassee warriors unleashed a surprise attack on the Georgia Rangers' Fort Mount Venture on the Altamaha River.

The Yamassee killed virtually everyone in the fort, except for a few British-allied Creek Indians whom they took hostage. Mary Musgrove Mathews, "Queen" of the Creek Nation, narrowly escaped death on that day.  Mary used Fort Mount Venture as her main trading post, and was in Savannah when the raid occurred.

The LAMAR Institute launched a search for Mount Venture in 2003 on the forest lands of Plum Creek Timber Company, and their archaeologists are narrowing the field of possible locations for the fort. In the process,the research team has identified several other important 18th century sites. One of these is the likely location of a 1790s fort, possibly that garrisoned by Captain Armstrong's Company of Glynn County Dragoons. Support for the project comes from the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program, the Plum Creek Foundation, and Plum Creek Timber Company. The archaeological discoveries at Mount Venture highlight an important part of Plum Creek's Sustainable Forestry Initiative program to manage these historically significant sites in an economic and socially responsible manner.

Daniel Elliott, lead archaeologist of the expedition, stated, "This was one of Georgia's most exciting colonial outposts! In 1741 Fort Mount Venture was Georgia's first point of defense against attacks from Spanish Florida." Events in that war helped to define the very shape of United States' geography. The massacre at Mount Venture was the greatest conquest in Georgia by the Spanish. This Spanish victory demonstrated to General Oglethorpe just how vulnerable Georgia was from guerrilla attacks. We are on the threshold of discovery!"

The Lamar Institute is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization registered in Box Springs, Georgia to promote research and public education on archaeology in the Southeastern United States. The Sansavilla Bluff project is part of the Institute's Pre-Civil War Forts Initiative, which seeks to locate and explore military sites in Georgia dating prior to 1861. The Sansavilla Bluff project was funded by research grants from the National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program and the Plum Creek Foundation, Seattle, Washington. Other LAMAR Institute projects associated with fortified sites and led by Mr. Elliott include the discovery and exploration of Forts Abercorn, Ebenezer, and Mount Pleasant on the Savannah River, Fort Argyle on the Ogeechee River, and Fort Morris and the town of Sunbury, on the Medway River. The LAMAR Institute's full research report on the work done at Sansavilla Bluff is available for free download in pdf format at this web address: http://lamarinstitute.org/reports.htm .

Shown Above Are Examples of Ceramic Artifacts Excavated at Sansavilla Bluff by the LAMAR Institute.

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