Alabama working to preserve Indian artifacts at construction site
It is hard to notice until you are literally standing on top of it.
But a grass-covered, centuries-old manmade mound does indeed exist at Davis Farm in Oxford – its slope plainly visible by anyone standing at the site looking south.
It and other American Indian artifacts on the property have withstood the test of time, and though Oxford is trying to build a multi-million dollar sports complex nearby, the city is ensuring that history will be preserved.
During its last meeting, the Oxford City Council hired engineering firm Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood to negotiate a mitigation plan with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Alabama Historic Preservation Office to restart construction of the sports complex.
Robert Perry, archaeologist with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, has said a plan could be formalized possibly as early as mid-January.
“We want to help chart out a path forward where we can resolve the Corps’ concerns, the (Historic Preservation Office’s) concerns and fully take into account the known sites and unknown sites … so (the city) can move forward again,” said Jim Noles, attorney for Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. “The sites will continue to be protected through these developments … and we’ll ensure if any other human remains or artifacts are encountered, they will be handled appropriately.”...
Read entire article at Anniston Star (Alabama)
But a grass-covered, centuries-old manmade mound does indeed exist at Davis Farm in Oxford – its slope plainly visible by anyone standing at the site looking south.
It and other American Indian artifacts on the property have withstood the test of time, and though Oxford is trying to build a multi-million dollar sports complex nearby, the city is ensuring that history will be preserved.
During its last meeting, the Oxford City Council hired engineering firm Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood to negotiate a mitigation plan with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Alabama Historic Preservation Office to restart construction of the sports complex.
Robert Perry, archaeologist with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, has said a plan could be formalized possibly as early as mid-January.
“We want to help chart out a path forward where we can resolve the Corps’ concerns, the (Historic Preservation Office’s) concerns and fully take into account the known sites and unknown sites … so (the city) can move forward again,” said Jim Noles, attorney for Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. “The sites will continue to be protected through these developments … and we’ll ensure if any other human remains or artifacts are encountered, they will be handled appropriately.”...