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After the Deepwater Horizon rig accident, oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico for over three months. While much attention has focused on the disaster affecting natural resources, many cultural resources are threatened as well, including archaeological sites ranging from historic shipwrecks to stone wharfs to coastal Native American camps. While sites on the Gulf Coast are most at risk, all sites on the Florida coastline could feel some impact. The Gulf Stream may carry the oil up the entire east coast of Florida and farther.
Oil spills are dangerous to our cultural resources in a variety of ways. Contamination can not only degrade and cause physical loss to the sites but also may affect dating techniques. Additionally, improper clean-up methods and high traffic to the area can cause more damage to the sites than the oil itself.
The State of Florida, through its Division of Historical Resources (DHR), is working with the federal agencies responsible for mitigation and clean-up, including the Coast Guard and National Park Service (NPS), to develop a plan for Florida’s affected cultural resources, both on land and under water. Cultural resource management (CRM) firms have been engaged to address much of the work to date.
Read a statement on the Gulf oil spill and Florida’s cultural resources from State Archaeologist Ryan Wheeler.
FPAN has offered its assistance and personnel to DHR and NPS. Although no calls for volunteers have been made to date, FPAN stands ready to train and facilitate volunteer and avocational assistance when asked. If and when the call comes, information for becoming involved will be posted on this webpage – please check back often!
Links for further information:
Restore the Gulf, a US government-sponsored website with information, interactive maps, and response efforts.
"Sinking oil threatens historic Gulf shipwrecks," Associated Press article by Cain Burdeau
Historic Shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico, a website by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE, formerly Minerals Management Service) featuring historic shipwrecks investigated as part of BOEMRE’s mission.
The Mardi Gras Shipwreck, a deep-water historic shipwreck located relatively near the Deepwater Horizon well site and an example of the type of shipwreck likely to be impacted by the oil disaster. |
