Follow the link below to check out the latest edition of FPAN West Central’s newsletter. We have a lot of exciting things to tell you about that we have been working on, and that are upcoming for this summer, so make sure to check it out!

http://flpublicarchaeology.org/uploads/wcrc/April_2013_newsletter.pdf

In this edition:

• Learn about our new partnership and upcoming programs at the Weedon Island Preserve in St. Pete.
• Set sail with us and learn about our adventure on a replica 15th century Caravel called Pinta.
• Check out a cool archaeo-bike trail that is in the works for Bradenton.
• Learn about some new research on one of the earliest historic homesteads on the Pinellas peninsula.

And much more!

…and if you haven’t already, make sure to check out our facebook page to learn more about archaeology in your area, as well as different events and activities you can participate in. Your “Likes” are appreciated! https://www.facebook.com/FPANwestcentral

Thanks from your friends at FPAN!

University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology, Hillsborough County, Florida

Request for Proposal

University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology is seeking proposals from qualified firms or individuals to prepare lesson plans focusing on the scientific methods of archaeology that will accompany the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Tommy the Tortoise, Junior Archaeologist educational program. The lessons will be completed by July 31, 2013 to be published as a teacher resource guide and student activity book, provided online and through workshops by the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s West Central and Central Regional Centers during the Fall of 2013.

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

1. A minimum of three years experience as a curriculum consultant, with at least one year experience writing for Sunshine State Standard content and/or Core Curriculum standards;
2. A minimum of five years experience in science, social studies, or environmental education;
3. A minimum of one year experience in teacher training;
4. A minimum of one year experience with grant funded projects preferred; and
5. Demonstrated ability of the firm or individual to complete projects meeting the owner’s schedule and budget

Students will explore the process of archaeology and learn how to think like an archaeologist:

• perform basic archaeological mapping and documentation methods;
• understand the chronological sequence of Florida’s cultural time periods;
• understand relative and absolute dating methods;
• draw parallels between recovered artifacts and human behaviors, such as how humans interact with the environment and changes made over time by the people in the past to meet their basic needs through biological or man-made products.

Lesson plans will:

• be developed for 4th and 5th grades;
• align with Core Curriculum Standards;
• be integrated into FPAN’s Tommy the Tortoise, Junior Archaeologist program;
• incorporate ideas for science and history fair projects to enhance learning; and
• include information on (but not limited to): archaeology, anthropology, history, ecology, geology, technology, biotechnology, climate change, 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 4202 East Fowler Ave NEC116 until 2:00 PM EDT by Friday, April 12^th, 2013. Please submit your proposal to Mr. Jeff Moates, 4202 E Fowler Ave NEC116, Tampa, Florida 33620. 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 Mr. Moates at 813.396.2327 or jmoates@usf.edu.

University of South Florida 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 the University of South Florida.

Visit Tommy’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TommyJRarchaeologist 

Archaeologists rarely leave any traces of their work above the ground, but re-photography can bring their work to life on the modern landscape.

As an archaeologist I love to learn about the past through the clues people have left behind. As a public archaeologist I also love to go out of my way to share that experience of discovery and wonder with people who otherwise might not learn about the remnants of the past which sometimes lie beneath their feet. When people think of archaeology their mind often jumps to visions of archaeologists carefully digging in the ground, gingerly brushing ancient dust off artifacts that haven’t been touched in thousands of years. But broken pieces of pottery and stone tools aren’t the only kinds of evidence archaeologists can investigate, sometimes much more recent types of artifacts can reveal something about the past (as well as today.)

Archaeologist Ripley Bullen stands next to the Crystal River stele today in this re-photo

I’ve dabbled in a bit of re-photography previously, with our Ybor City archaeology project for example, but a recent photography book inspired me to try something a bit bigger. The Crystal River archaeological site in Citrus County is perfect for this kind of re-photo project for several reasons: the distinctive landscape features and museum building, the number of archaeological projects that have been done there over time, and the importance of the site in general. Most archaeological sites wouldn’t lend themselves well to re-photography simply because they are invisible to the naked eye from above the ground, but the mounds and stelae at Crystal River make it the perfect spot to line up some old photos on the current landscape.

When the sea wall slumped in at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park boat slip archaeologists and park staff were on the scene to shore it up. The material recovered from the slip was then used as part of the Sifting for Technology activity that park visitors and students can take part in today at the park.

You can be a part of this project to document and celebrate the Crystal River site. All you have to do is find your old pictures of the site, or just come out and enjoy the exhibit. Join us at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park on Friday March 22, from 6 to 8pm for the opening of a new re-photography exhibit “Then and Now: The Crystal River Site in Photographs” and bring your pictures of the Crystal River site through time. Archaeologists from the Florida Public Archaeology Network will be on hand to scan your images and add them to a database that documents the history of the site. Every picture is important to telling the story of this important site. Do you have a 1950s picture of the mound before it was partially destroyed? Pictures from the mobile home park that used to cover the site? A picture from last week of a bike ride through the park? All of these memories are wanted and welcome. Hope to see you there!

WHAT: Re-Photography Exhibit Opening “Then and Now: The Crystal River Site in Photographs”

WHEN: March 22 from 6-8pm

WHERE: Crystal River Archaeological State Park, 3400 N. Museum Point Crystal River, Florida 34428

Yesterday I attended the press release and conference in Tallahassee where the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) announced the details of a 2 year undercover operation and subsequent arrests of 14 individuals in Florida and Georgia. The individuals targeted in the sting had been involved in the illegal taking of prehistoric and historic artifacts from protected areas on land and underwater and in the extensive dealing of that stolen property. FWC and arresting officers levied over 400 criminal charges; both felony and misdemeanor counts. Florida Secretary of State, Ken Detzner, spoke first and introduced the Community Relations representative for FWC who then introduced the FWC’s lead officer on the case. Video of the press conference is linked below.

http://thefloridachannel.org/video/22713-press-conference-on-investigation-about-illegal-acquisition-and-sale-of-historic-artifacts/

Division of Historical Resources Director and State Historic Preservation Officer, Robert Bendus, spoke as well. In a few words, Mr. Bendus boiled down the impact of the criminal activity and its effect today but also for future generations of Floridians. A combination of words stuck with me long after he finished speaking, “…we need to teach about the enterprise of archaeology and how great it is to participate in it professionally and pass that information along.” The arrested few have stolen a part of that enterprise from Florida and from Floridians. Unfortunately, many will continue the criminal pursuit but this undercover operation and the arrests will have a lasting impact on those that choose to perpetuate these illegal activities.

Evidence collected during the FWC investigation was on display during the press conference.

It’s not a coincidence that the individuals arrested yesterday may also be proponents of an idea that has made its way back into the forefront of the issue of collecting artifacts from State property. The idea is one that has already been a policy of the State, the Isolated Finds Policy (IFP). Under IFP, individuals were allowed to recover isolated finds from Florida rivers and submerged bottomlands as long as they then complied with IFP and reported their finds to the State. Created in 1994, IFP sought to facilitate communication between professional and amateur archaeologists but ended up instead serving as a way for individuals to game a legitimate system of reporting and to, in all likelihood, loot and destroy archaeological sites on State property. IFP’s inherent communication drawbacks and enforcement issues caused it to be discontinued as a policy of the State in 2005.

The idea is back. This time it’s titled Citizen Archaeology Permit program or CAP. Where officials did not codify IFP into State law, proponents of CAP wish to amend Chapter 267, the Florida Historical Resources Act, and ensure that CAP will become law and thus more difficult to discontinue. In light of the recent investigation and the uncovering of such an extensive network of illegal taking and illicit dealing, CAP poses some serious issues that must be taken into account by our elected officials, especially those who have been approached by its proponents and may support a proposed amendment. A consequence of CAP may only ensure more access to those individuals who already choose to access Florida’s past through illegal and disastrous means, and do nothing to preserve these resources and facilitate a dialogue between archaeologists and interested members of the public.

FPAN has put together a list of key talking points and issues regarding CAP. I’ll submit those in a follow-up as well as a list of the ways Floridians can participate in the Enterprise of Archaeology and encourage others to do so as well.

Jeff Moates, FPAN Regional Director

West Central and Central Regional Centers

University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology

Click the link below….

http://flpublicarchaeology.org/uploads/wcrc/january_2013_newsletter.pdf

http://flpublicarchaeology.org/uploads/wcrc/october_2012_newsletter.pdf

The old horse barn constructed by workmen from the CCC now serves as the interpretive center for the Myakka River State Park

In honor of Labor Day I decided to take a little day trip down to Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, FL. Not only is it one of the oldest State Parks in Florida, the land was purchased in September of 1934, it was also the site of the only CCC camp for African Americans in Florida.

The CCC (or Civilian Conservation Corps) was a New Deal program instituted by Franklin D. Roosevelt that was meant to put unemployed men back to work on various projects and improvements to federal and state properties. In some cases, CCC workers even served as excavators on archaeological projects throughout the country.

At Myakka River State Park, many of the buildings constructed by CCC workers during the mid to late 1930s still exist on the property. An old wooden horse barn now serves as an interpretive center for the park, and cabins constructed of palmetto logs are still available for the public to rent out. As you can see in the pictures below the rustic look of these buildings really compliments and enhances the beauty of the natural environment at the park.

CCC label on the old Myakka River horse barn

Although slightly flooded when I visited, palmetto log cabins built by the CCC are still in use at the park today.

Many of Florida’s State Parks have their origin in the CCC, so next time you are at Myakka River, Highlands Hammock, Hillsborough River, Gold Head Branch, O’Leno, Torreya, Florida Caverns, or Ft. Clinch State Parks make sure to keep an eye out for the handiwork of the CCC.

I really loved the rustic details of these cabins, wish I could stay in one!

Exterior palm log walls of the cabins are chinked with asphalt and sawdust mortar

Even the bathrooms are historic at this park!

http://flpublicarchaeology.org/uploads/wcrc/july_2012_newsletter.pdf

My Raise-the-Roof Buddha

I have this quote hanging close to my door at home so it is the last thing I see as I head off into the world. It reminds me that to have a positive influence, I need to have positive intentions. Not that I don’t slip into negative thoughts or emotions – I am human – but when I am there, I am more conscious I need to get back on a positive track. So I breathe and look for the positive to change focus.

There is always a positive.

Being a public archaeologist can be a real easy gig. I cannot count the times someone has come up to me and shared that they too wanted to be an archaeologist when they grew up. Its exciting work – searching for clues of past civilizations and finding items lost in the sands of time.  People get genuinely interested in archaeological finds and archaeologists are genuinely excited to share their methods and artifacts with the public.

Passion is contagious.

However, passion without restraint can be destructive. Although we wish to share as much as possible with the public, they have to understand that an artifact taken out of the ground without proper excavation techniques or procedure becomes nothing more than an object. One object cannot represent a person or activity or time period. It is when many objects are found together, or in context, that the picture of the past comes to life.

Several media outlets are focusing on the acquisition of objects. Such portrayals not only give the public a false sense of archaeology, they may encourage others to do the same – leading to the devastation of archaeological sites and information.

The voice of reason rises above the noise of opposition.

Instead of just getting angry, let’s find the positive. We have the opportunity to turn this dialogue into a teachable moment.

Why can’t just anyone dig up objects? What is the difference between what they are doing on TV and what archaeologists do in the field and lab?

Only by answering these questions can we expect the public to know the difference and hopefully make the decision to support archaeology.  As you share these stories and petitions, please remember to take your teachable moment and let people know why they should be as concerned as you are. Make your passion for conservation contagious!

With our positive thoughts and actions, we change the world.

February 2012 Newsletter