Field Notes

CONSERVANCY Field Notes

The rocks in the center of this photo are the remains of one of the eight architectural units identified at the Gillota-Johnson Archaeological Preserve. The site was occupied from a.d. 880 to 980.

Gillota-Johnson Preserve Management team Meets

SOUTHWEST—The management team for the Gillota-Johnson Preserve in southwestern Colorado met last November to develop the 100–year management plan for this recently acquired site. Gillota-Johnson features a well preserved group of eight architectural units, a great kiva, and a bedrock reservoir. It was occupied between a.d. 880 and 980, and it’s the largest site of its kind in the region.

The meeting began with a site tour followed by a discussion of management issues such as site security and protection, stabilization, professional research policies, educational programs, and public access.

The management plan is an important tool used by the Conservancy to ensure that decisions concerning the preservation of a site are made in a way that not only preserves and protects the resource but also includes input from all of the interested parties. The Gillota-Johnson management team includes the previous owners of the property, professional archaeologists from southwestern Colorado, Colorado Historical Society representatives, Native Americans, the volunteer site stewards, and Conservancy staff.

old Mobile Expanded

SOUTHEAST—The Conservancy’s Old Mobile preserve, in southwest Alabama, has recently been expanded. In 1996, the DuPont Company donated an easement to the Conservancy on the portion of the site they owned. At that time, the remaining two thirds of the site belonged to other companies and was unprotected. In recent years, Mobile County acquired a third of the site that once belonged to Courtaulds Fibers, at spring • 2010

Archaeologist Greg Waselkov (standing on the left) addresses a group of visitors at the site while researchers excavate a pit feature.

which point Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood spearheaded an effort to follow DuPont’s lead and donate a preservation easement to the Conservancy. Due to the Mobile County Commission’s foresight and the efforts of several other people, over half of this site, which is eligible for National Historic Landmark status, is permanently protected.

The town of Old Mobile was founded by Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville in 1702 and it became the first capital of French colonial Louisiane. Its inhabitants had a friendly relationship with the Indians of the surrounding area. However, disease, hunger, and flooding were constant problems, and in 1711 the settlement and Fort Louis de la Louisiane were moved down river to the present location of the City of Mobile.

Under the direction of Gregory Waselkov, the University of South Alabama’s Center for Archaeological Studies has been conducting research at the site for 21 years. The archaeologists have located the remains of over 50 structures, eight of which have been excavated, yielding thousands of artifacts.

American Archaeology Article Wins National Prize

The article “Embracing Archaeology,” which ap- peared in the Fall 2009 issue of American Embracing Archaeology Chief Michell Hicks and TRC Envionmental Corporation’s field director Tasha Benyshek stand next to the remains of an early 18th-century Cherokee winter house. Embracing Archaeology The Eastern Band of the Cherokee was once suspicious of archaeology. Now they’re using it to learn about their history. By Andrea Cooper Archaeology, won the Society For American Archaeology’s Gene S. Stuart american archaeology Award. 19

The award, which is in memory of the late Gene S. Stuart, a writer and managing editor of National Geographic Society books, honors outstanding efforts to enhance public understanding of archaeology. The award is given to the most interesting and responsible original story or series about any archaeological topic published in a newspaper or magazine.

“Embracing Archaeology” told of how the Eastern Band of the Cherokee, who were once suspicious of archaeology, are now using it to learn about their history. The award carries a $2,000 prize, which was given to the article’s author, Andrea Cooper, a freelance journalist.