Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Spring Meeting co-sponsored by SGA and Georgia Gwinnett College!

The date is Saturday, May 19, 2012, starting at 8am in the state-of-the art Student Center. Registration is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Family rate available.

We certainly hope you will not miss the opportunity to hear about papers related on the War of 1812 but also local efforts with students and veterans.

Students, it is a great opportunity to meet archaeologists and speak with them about career opportunities and seek advice.

Colleagues, come catch up and enjoy lunch in the Student Center and carpool to the Fort Daniel site. There a great educational adventure awaits with Abby, the ArchaeoBus, ongoing excavations, a tour of Fort Daniel by Lead Archaeologist Dr. Jim D’Angelo (details below), an exhibit display and more!

We hope you will join us in celebrating May as Archaeology Month!

Click here to access a PDF of the Spring Meeting Program (final version). There is a registration fee.

SGA 2012 Spring Meeting Program

8:00am – 9:00am / Registration and Refreshments

9:00am / Welcome

9:15am – 9:35am / Flotation and Plant Identification from the Duckett Site: An Undergraduate Research Project / Leslie Raymer, Naomi Peevy, Amy Byers, Jason King, and Jack Wynn, North Georgia College and State University

9:35am – 10:05am / Fame’s Eternal Camping Grounds: Tracking down the Creek War in Middle Georgia / Stephen Hammack, Jim Preston, Terry Jackson, Shannon Walker and David Mincey

10:05am – 10:25am / Forgotten Invasion—Archaeological Excavations at Point Peter / Scott Butler, Brockington & Associates, Inc.

10:30am – 10:45am / Coffee Break

10:45am – 11:05am / Some Newly Considered Cartographic Sources for the Creek War of 1813-14 / Terry Jackson

11:05am – 11:25am / Georgia in the War of 1812: An Archaeologist’s Perspective / Dan Elliott, LAMAR Institute

11:25am – 11:55am / The Veterans Curation Project / Joseph Roberts, Brockington & Associates, Inc.

12:00pm – 12:30pm / SGA Business Meeting

12:30pm / Closing Remarks and Adjournment

AFTERNOON / The site visit to Fort Daniel is in honor of the 2012 Archaeology Month theme Commemorating the War of 1812. The program will begin at 2:00pm. On behalf of the Society for Georgia Archaeology, the local chapter of the Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society (a Chapter of the SGA) and the Fort Daniel Foundation, we invite you to attend this educational program and learn the significance of this site to Gwinnett County’s frontier history.

Within the Student Center (Level 1) you are welcomed to join colleagues and friends for a quick lunch before traveling to the Fort Daniel site.

Pictured with the Governor left to right: Dylan Woodliff representing Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc.; Leslie Perry – SGA Board Member; Deputy DNR Commissioner Homer Bryson; Elizabeth Shirk of the DNR – Historic Preservation Division and Past President of the SGA; Joe Joseph representing New South Associates; Catherine Long – President of the SGA and representing the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center; Tammy Herron – Vice President of the SGA and representing the Savannah River Archaeological Research Program; Pamela Baughman – Secretary of the SGA, President of the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists, and representing the Georgia Department of Transportation; State Archaeologist Bryan Tucker of the DNR – Historic Preservation Division; DNR Commissioner Mark Williams; and Alana Hise representing Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc.

The Society for Georgia Archaeology’s nineteenth annual Georgia Archaeology Awareness promotion, Archaeology Month 2012, has as its theme Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Our request for a proclamation designating May as Georgia Archaeology Month was received and acknowledged by the Governor’s office. Past and present SGA board members, representatives from Georgia’s archaeological community, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) attended the proclamation signing by Governor Nathan Deal on the morning of Wednesday May 2nd at the Capitol in Atlanta.

Click here to access a PDF of the Proclamation.

Read all stories on this website about Archaeology Month 2012 here. SGA’s Spring Meeting is in conjunction with Archaeology Month 2012, and is scheduled for Saturday, May 19th, at the state-of-the art Student Center at Georgia Gwinnett College (see map below).

Archaeology Month 2012 recognizes the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Read about Georgia’s role in the War of 1812 in Gerald Judson Smith Jr.’s article in the New Georgia Encyclopedia online here. As SGA President Catherine Long notes elsewhere on this website:

…there were three main focus points for Georgia’s role in the War of 1812: the Creek War (1813–1814), the British blockade, and the British occupation of St. Mary’s and Cumberland Island (1814–1815). General John Floyd commanded the troops from Georgia. He was directed to build forts and destroy Creek villages. Fort Hawkins and Fort Mitchell are two examples. The battles also occurred in Alabama. Along the coast Georgians sought to defend themselves from attack by rebuilding Fort Morris and fortifying the battery at Point Peter.

But, what was the British perspective on this conflict?

Library of Congress Reproduction number LC-USZC4-5917 (color film copy transparency), online here.

This etching is attributed to British caricaturist George Cruikshank, and dates to 1812, when he was about 20 years of age. The US Library of Congress holds this copy, and the cataloguer summarizes the image as portraying:

Gabriel blowing a message “A bad news for you” at James Madison, who is standing between Napoleon and the devil, as two women symbolizing Great Britain and America, and British soldiers look on.

It is not surprising that the British were critical of the Americans for declaring this war. For Britain, however, this was another war, dividing their troops further. British troops were already fighting the ongoing Napoleonic Wars (conflicts with France), not only sending troops and ships, but also funding other nations’ involvement.

James Madison was the US President in 1812, and therefore leading the rebellion (from the British perspective), and it makes sense that Cruikshank would focus the etching—and the criticism intended by the sketch—on him.

In late 1812, as the war unfolded focused in northeastern North America (especially the St. Lawrence River area), the British maintained alliances they had already established with Native peoples there, and developed new ones.

What do you think about the personification of the USA and of Great Britain as women? What do you think of the figure that represents the USA being drawn as what might be described as “A Red Indian” with a feathered headdress?

Click here to access a PDF of the preliminary program for the SGA’s Spring Meeting, on May 19th. For all 2012 Spring Meeting information online, click here. For all information on 2012 Archaeology Month, click here.

The Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission announces a panel discussion titled “Perspectives in Archaeology: Digging for the Truth” to be held Saturday, May 12th, at 2PM, at Trinity Church, Telfair Square, Savannah. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.

Panelists will be Dr. Pamela Cressy, Archaeologist for the City of Alexandria, Virginia; Neil Dawson of Dawson Architects; Richard Kanaski, Regional Archaeologist, Southeast Region, US Fish and Wildlife Service; and Dr. Sue Moore, past-president of the SGA and Professor of Anthropology at Georgia Southern University. The moderator will be Michael Jordan of Cosmos Mariner Productions.

The sponsors of the panel discussion reception, which will follow the discussion, are The LAMAR Institute and Coastal Heritage Society.

Partner-sponsors of the event are the Metropolitan Planning Commission, Chatham County Resource Protection Commission, Trinity Church, Chatham County, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic District Board of Review, City of Savannah, the Chatham County Historic Preservation Commission, The LAMAR Institute, and Coastal Heritage Society.

Download a flyer announcing this event by clicking here. For more information, email Ellen Harris by by clicking here or call 912.651.1482.

This event is one of many scheduled in conjunction with 2012 Archaeology Month. Read all stories on this website about Archaeology Month by clicking here. Visit the SGA’s online calendar here to learn about many events.

Organizers of the 2012 Archaeology Day at the 1797 Ezekiel Harris House, 1822 Broad Street, in Augusta, invite you to attend on Saturday, May 6th between 10AM and 4PM. Admission is free. Click here to access a colorful, printable one-page flyer advertising the event.

This Archaeology Month event is sponsored by the Augusta Museum of History and the Augusta Archaeological Society, a Chapter of the SGA. Access all stories on this website about 2012 Archaeology Month by clicking here.

Click here to read more stories about the Augusta Archaeological Society.

The SGA is proud to present the 2012 Archaeology Month event brochure, accessible by clicking here. This PDF is suitable for printing, posting, and distribution. All events listed in the brochure are also entered in the SGA’s online calendar. Note that not all events are in May, although May is Archaeology Month in Georgia. Access all stories on this website about 2012 Archaeology Month by clicking here.

The SGA thanks Pam Baughman for collecting the events information and creating this brochure.

For your convenience, all programs, events, and ongoing exhibits in the brochure are listed below.

ONGOING EXHIBITS

Exhibit: Gateway to the Past: Georgia’s Leake Site.
Date: Mar 24—Sept 23, 2012 Time: Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am–5pm, Thurs 10am–8pm, Sun 1–5pm
Location: Columbus Museum, 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus, GA 31906
Contact: Ashley Bice, 706-748-2562, ext. 540, moc.muesumsubmulocnull@eciba; see website at www.columbusmuseum.com
Description: An exhibit on Georgia’s Leake archaeological site, which served as a “gateway” between the southeastern and Midwestern American Indians from 300 BC to AD 650. Uses excavated artifacts from both the Leake site and the Columbus Museum’s collection of Chattahoochee Valley objects. For more on this exhibit on this website, click here.

Exhibit: Palmetto Creek Revisited: A Site for All Times.
Dates: Through May 2012
Time: Library Hours, Mon-Wed & Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs 10am–8pm, Sat 10am–2pm
Location: Harris County Public Library, 138 N. College St., Hamilton, GA 31811
Contact: Debbie Marino, 706-628-4685, ten.yrarbilchtnull@oniramd ; at GDOT Teresa Lotti, 404-631-1284, vog.ag.todnull@ittolt
Description: This exhibit will display artifacts from excavations at the Palmetto Creek sites in Harris County as well as discuss the cultural time periods represented, archaeology in general, and the archaeological project/GDOT archaeology in particular.
Sponsor: Georgia Department of Transportation

Exhibit: Conveyed in Clay: Stories from St. Catherine’s Island.
Description: Explore how Native Americans adapted to changes in natural and cultural conditions through the evolution of their pottery, from North America’s oldest examples to 16th-century Spanish artifacts.
Date: Month of May
Time: Museum hours, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12pm–5pm
Location: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Contact: Fernbank Ticketing Office, 404-929-6400
Fees/Limits: Included with Fernbank Museum admission, Adults $17.50, Students and Seniors $16.50, Children ages 3-12 $15.50, Children ages 2 and under free, Free for Fernbank Museum members; no Limit

Exhibit: De Soto’s Footprints: New Archaeological Evidence from Georgia.
Description: Exhibit featuring findings of Fernbank Museum’s ongoing archaeological explorations along the lower Ocmulgee River. Artifacts and other information highlight the unexpected discovery of early Spanish materials, dating from before 1550, that may be associated with Hernando de Soto’s trek across Georgia in 1540.
Date: Month of May
Time: Museum hours, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12pm–5pm
Location: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Contact: Fernbank Ticketing Office, 404-929-6400
Fees/Limits: Included with Fernbank Museum admission, Adults $17.50, Students and Seniors $16.50, Children ages 3-12 $15.50, Children ages 2 and under free, Free for Fernbank Museum members; no Limit

PROGRAMS and EVENTS

Open House: Antonio J. Waring Archaeological Laboratory.
Date: Sat, April 21st, 11am–2pm
Location: Archaeology Lab, on Plant Op. Drive, down the street from the Z-6 Cafeteria, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118
Contact: Susan Fishman-Armstrong, 678-839-6303, see website at waring.westga.edu
Description: Get hands-on experience at an archaeological dig with the on-site mock excavation pit. Learn to make stone tools flint knapping demonstrations by James Spake. Artifact identification by Dr. Thomas Foster. Games and activities. Atlatl throwing demonstration. Guided tours of the lab.
Fees/Limits: None

Excavation: Search for Blockhouse at Fort Hawkins.
Date: May 3-5, 2012, 9am-4pm
Location: Fort Hawkins Archaeological Park, 750 Woolfolk Street, Macon, GA
Contact: Dan Elliott, 706-341-7796
Description: The LAMAR Institute will conduct a small archaeological dig in search of vestiges of the northwestern corner blockhouse at Fort Hawkins, circa 1809-1824. The excavation will be open for public viewing.
Fees/Limits: None
Sponsors: The LAMAR Institute and the Fort Hawkins Commission

Event: Archaeology Group Open House.
Date: Sat, May 5th, 10am-12 noon
Location: Edwards-Pitman Environmental, 1250 Winchester Parkway, Suite 200, Smyrna, GA 30080
Contact: Lynn Pietak, 770-333-9484
Description: Edwards-Pitman Archaeology will showcase artifacts and other project materials from recent projects, including data recovery at an Archaic/Woodland site in Spalding County, Georgia.
Fees/Limits: None

Program: Weekend Wonders: I Dig Archaeology!
Date/Time: Sat, May 5th, 11am–3pm; Sun, May 6th, 12pm–4pm
Location: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Contact: Fernbank Ticketing Office, 404-929-6400
Description: This program involves a hands-on investigation for kids and families. Dig in for family fun with archaeology-themed activities that focus on Native American crafts and technologies. Activities designed especially for kids ages 4-8.
Fees/Limits: Included with Fernbank Museum admission, Adults $17.50, Students and Seniors $16.50, Children ages 3-12 $15.50, Children ages 2 and under free, Free for Fernbank Museum members; no Limit

Event: Archaeology Day.
Date: Sat, May 5th, 10am-4pm
Location: 1797 Ezekiel Harris House, 1822 Broad Street, Augusta, GA
Contact: John Arena, 706-564-5868
Description: Event will include flint knapping, primitive skills demonstrations, artifact identification, and Paleoindian point identification and recordation by archaeologists who will be on-hand to speak with visitors. Free Ezekiel Harris House tours will be provided.
Comments: In case of rain, the event will be moved to the Augusta Museum of History, 560 Reynolds Street, in downtown Augusta.
Fees/Limits: None
Sponsor: Augusta Archaeological Society and Augusta Museum of History

Program: Greater Atlanta Archaeological Society Meeting.
Date: Tues, May 8th, 7:30pm
Location: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Contact: Allen Vegotsky, 678-684-3622
Description: Presentation on the Creek War and the War of 1812. The Greater Atlanta Archaeological Society is a Chapter of the SGA.
Fees/Limits: None

Event: Archaeology Da.
Date: Sat, May 12th, 9am-2pm
Location: New South Associates, 6150 East Ponce de Leon Ave., Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Contact: Sadhana Singh, 770-498-4155 ext. 107, moc.cossahtuoswennull@hgniss
Description: Take an exciting journey into Georgia’s past with archaeology-themed activities, special demonstrations, and an appearance by Abby the ArchaeoBus!
Fees/Limits: None; Food and beverages will be available for a small donation.

Event: New Echota Historic Site 50th Anniversary Celebration (1962-2012).
Date: Sat, May 12th, 2pm
Location: New Echota—Cherokee Capital State Historic Site, 1211 Chatsworth Hwy. NE, Calhoun, GA 30701
Contact: 706-624-1321
Fees/Limits: Site Admission, $4.50-6.50
Description: The official site dedication was held on May 12, 1962. Celebrate 50 years of New Echota site memories on this day. Historic Site “Open House” until 5:00pm to follow program.

Event: These Houses Were Made in Macon.
Date: Mon, May 14th, 6:30pm
Location: Washington Memorial Library, 1180 Washington Ave., Macon, GA 31201
Contact: David Farrier, 478-923-8967, see website at www.collegehillmacon.com
Fees/Limits: None
Description: Hidden in a residential neighborhood are the products of Macon’s late 19th-century factories. Explore with David Farrier, amateur industrial archaeologist. Easy walk of about 1/2 mile.
Sponsor: Part of the Urban Hike series, College Hill Macon, with funding from a Knight Neighborhood Challenge grant.

Event: Artifact Identification and Archaeology Laboratory Open House.
Date: Sat, May 19th, 10am–1pm
Location: Chieftains Museum, 501 Riverside Parkway, Rome, GA
Contact: Dave Davis, 706-291-9494, see website at www.chieftainsmuseum.org
Fees/Limits: $5.00 donation requested, includes museum admission
Description: Chieftains invites the public to bring up to 5 artifacts for identification by Dave Davis, Archaeologist for the museum. The Archaeology Lab will also be open, along with the museum, for tours.

Event: Spring Meeting of the Society for Georgia Archaeology!
Date: Sat, May 19th, 8am–5pm
Location: Student Center (LVIS Room), Georgia Gwinnett College, 1000 University Centre Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Contact: Visit the website at http://thesga.org.
Fees/Limits: $10 for members, $15 for non-members
Description: Morning Session will consist of papers presented on prehistoric and historic archaeology, with focus on the War of 1812. Afternoon session includes a field trip to the site of Fort Daniel 2–5pm. For all stories on this website about the SGA’s Spring 2012 meeting, click here.

Event: Archaeology Day.
Date: Sat, May 19th, 1-5pm
Location: Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, 813 Indian Mounds Rd. SW, Cartersville, GA 30120
Contact: 770-387-3747
Fees/Limits: $3.50-$5.00 per person
Description: A professional archaeologist will lecture at 2:00 pm and lead a tour at 3:00 pm. Other activities include dig boxes for kids and tools and weapons programs for all ages.

Event: Dr. Durham Herb Walk Festival.
Date: Sat, May 26th, 10am–4pm
Location: Scull Shoals, south of Athens off Hwy. 15, turn at the Historic Scull Shoals sign onto Macedonia Rd. Take Macedonia Rd. for 2.2 miles and turn left onto a gravel Forest Service Rd. 1234. The Dr. Durham Herb trail site is the first road on the left. Directions to Scull Shoals Village site also available online here.
Contact: Peggy Sommer,706-769-5876
Fees/Limits: $5 entrance fee, Free for Friends members
Description: Learn about Dr. Lindsey Durham (1789- 1859) and tour the Durham Herb Walk/Trail site. Dr. Allen Vegotsky will appear as Dr. Durham and explain his plant-based remedies. Visit the Scull Shoals Mill Village site to see the results of the recent Passport in Time Project involving the old brick bridge. There are also sites to search for geocaching.
Sponsor: Friends of Scull Shoals

Event: Day of Discovery
Date: Sat, June 2nd, 11am-3pm
Location: Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, 813 Indian Mounds Rd. SW, Cartersville, GA 30120
Contact: 770-387-3747
Fees/Limits: $3.50-$5.00
Description: Archaeologist Adam King and associates will speak at 11am and 2pm. Dr. King is an authority on early cultures, and authored the book Etowah: The Political History of a Chiefdom Capital (discussed on this website here).

On Monday, April 2, 2012, Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society members Catherine Long, Leslie Perry, Jim D’Angelo, Frank Perry, and Wayne Waldrip gathered at the offices of the cultural resources firm TRC, Inc. in Norcross to handle the task of rolling and stuffing the SGA Archaeology Month 2012 posters into mailing tubes.

The job went smoothly with added assistance from TRC staff Thomas Garrow, Larissa Thomas, Vincent Macek, and SGA Vice President Tammy Herron.

The posters will be mailed to Georgia school districts for inclusion in Social Studies curriculum.

Many thanks to TRC for providing the space and extra hands in getting this done, and to New South Associates for designing the great 2012 Archaeology Month poster.

The War of 1812 is the focus of this year’s Archaeology Month theme in honor of the bicentennial celebration. We hope you will join us in commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 by attending the SGA’s Spring Meeting on May 19th at the Georgia Gwinnett College campus, in Lawrenceville. Read all stories on this website about Georgia’s 2012 Archaeology Month by clicking here. Read all stories on this website about the SGA’s 2012 Spring Meeting by clicking here.

Thanks also to all the volunteers for getting this important work done.

The SGA needs you.

The Society for Georgia Archaeology is a volunteer organization, and can only achieve its goals if you help. So, join the SGA and become an active participant in SGA activities.

Interested? Click here for information on joining the SGA, including a link to an application form.

Remember, the Society for Georgia Archaeology is a non-profit organization whose vision is that all Georgians understand the significance of their archaeological sites, so that they will support archaeological stewardship, education, and research. The SGA’s mission is to unite all persons interested in the archaeology of Georgia and to work actively to preserve, study, and interpret Georgia’s historic and prehistoric remains.

Join now!

Begin your involvement in the SGA by attending our Spring Meeting, to be held this year at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville (see map below), scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2012, in conjunction with 2012 Archaeology Month. The Archaeology Month theme this year is Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. The meeting will be held in the Student Center (Level 1, LVIS Room), and registration begins at 8:00am. For all 2012 Spring Meeting information online, click here.

Spring is such a lovely time of the year! The beautiful blossoms, the pollen, and of course Georgia Archaeology! We hope that you will join us for our annual Spring Meeting as well as Archaeology Month events throughout the state. The SGA is committed annually to the recognition of May as Archaeology Month in Georgia and cordially invites you to attend this year’s meeting which features the theme Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. On Saturday, May 19, join your colleagues and friends at Georgia Gwinnett College for a morning session of papers (featuring an update on the Duckett site and the Veterans Project in Augusta) and the highlight of the day—an afternoon site visit to Fort Daniel and a visit by Abby—the ArchaeoBus. Please visit the website for details of the meeting and the preliminary presentation schedule.

The annual Archaeology Month coordination could not happen without the leadership of Chair Tammy Herron (Vice-President/President-Elect). What a tremendous effort undertaken to serve Georgia educators! A special shout-out to all who participate in all facets of its production and execution. Thank you to the professional talents of the staff at New South Associates for their assistance in the design of this year’s poster! The annual poster stuffing party will be hosted by TRC and we appreciate their support in organizing these resources to be delivered to the regional school districts. SGA is grateful for all the volunteer efforts of this initiative and issues its sincerest thanks to the sponsors who make this educational outreach possible through their financial contribution! The Archaeology Month schedule has been altered slightly to send these resources earlier in the school year so they may be used effectively in the classroom. The lesson plan will be coming during the summer and be aligned to curriculum standards.

The Board has been busy moving the organization forward. Pam Baughman has coordinated the events for Archaeology Month and kept members abreast of the latest SGA news. Sammy Smith continues to contribute to the website and its fresh and interesting posts. Lynn Pietak served on the Awards Committee and attended the annual State Social Studies Fair on behalf of the SGA and the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists (GCPA), and presented two awards. The continued professionalism of the SGA’s Early Georgia journal and its coordination and delivery to SGA members is led by Jared Wood. Thank you to those who participate in this effort. Kelly Woodard (Editor of the SGA’s newsletter, The Profile) has been appointed to serve as the Endowment Chair and she has graciously accepted. We look forward to her suggestions for continuing to gain financial support for the Endowment. Our sincerest thanks to Rita Elliott for serving in this role and for the traction she has provided to the continued growth of the Endowment Fund—most recently the Audacious Archaeology Auction of this past fall. We invite you all to continue to support this initiative to preserve archaeological sites in Georgia.

The SGA has been aware of current events and are extremely discouraged at the recent television shows—”American Diggers” and “Diggers” as developed and aired by Spike TV and National Geographic (although it is noted that National Geographic media has currently pulled “Diggers”). Like other organizations and societies across the United States, letters were submitted to both organizations that addressed the message of archaeology and requested the removal of the shows. It is critically important that this message not be encouraged and promoted to the current and next generation of leadership in protecting America’s rich heritage. There is no value that can be assigned to our history—it is a resource that we all share and have the opportunity to leave this legacy for our children.

These are challenging times for archaeology and the SGA appreciates your support of making sure that the important message of preservation of archaeological sites and the continued public outreach initiatives are recognized by those leaders who not only determine budgets but also legislation that may affect these important cultural resources. We hope to continue to collaborate with stakeholders in Georgia to participate in these discussions.

We look forward to seeing you in May!

—Catherine Long, President

Send Endowment Fund contributions to: The Society for Georgia Archaeology, Treasurer, P.O. Box 693, Athens, GA 30603. Please put “Endowment Fund” on the subject line of your check. If the contribution is to honor someone, please include the honoree’s name and complete address with your contribution check. All recipients will be notified of the contribution made in their honor. To read all stories on this website about the SGA’s Endowment Fund, click here.

Please make plans to attend the Spring 2012 Meeting of The Society for Georgia Archaeology on Saturday, May 19th, at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville. The College is located at 1000 University Centre Lane, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043. Click here for a campus map (the Student Center is yellow), or see below. The meeting will be held in the Student Center (Level 1, LVIS Room), and registration begins at 8:00am. Participants are invited to join their colleagues and friends for lunch in the on-site cafeteria (with a variety of eating choices) and carpool to the site of Fort Daniel for the afternoon site visit. Click here for a link to the Student Center where the meeting will be held.

The SGA has chosen the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson as the conference hotel. Located just a short drive from Georgia Gwinnett College, the Country Inn & Suites—Lawrenceville is a 3 Star, 3 Diamond Award Winning Hotel that has received the “Presidential Award” for the past several years from their franchise for outstanding commitment to quality, customer service, and comfort. The hotel is conveniently located off I-85. Take the Exit for Hwy. 120 East, and travel on Hwy. 120 East for approximately 4 miles. Country Inn & Suites is located on the left. The direct phone number for the Country Inn & Suites is 770.339.1991. The toll free number for Country Inn & Suites is 1.800.456.4000. The hotel address is 989 Duluth Highway (SR120), Lawrenceville, GA 30043.

Each room comes equipped with a microwave/refrigerator, iron/ironing board, coffee maker, 2 Phones with speakers and voice mail, complimentary local calls and long distance access, complimentary faxes (does not include overseas usage), and complementary wifi throughout the hotel. Amenities include a business center, meeting space for up to 15, all-new Nautilus fitness center, seasonal pool, and a daily hot/cold breakfast bar. Cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, and cappuccino are complimentary.

The group rate for an Executive Business King Room is $69.00 + 13% tax, for a total of $77.97/night. The group rate for an Executive Business Queen-Queen Room is $79.00 + 13% tax, for a total of $89.27/night. These rates are based on double occupancy. Children under 18 stay free in the same room with parents. There will be a $10.00 charge for each additional adult. These rooms will be available at the group rate until Wednesday, April 18th. Please use “SGA” when making your reservations. Check-in time for all rooms is 3:00 p.m., and check-out time is 12:00 noon. Click here for online information, including a map and directions. Click here to see a few pictures from the Country Inn & Suites—Lawrenceville.

UPDATED! Volume 1, Issues 1 and 2 of the newsletter of the Gwinnett County Chapter of SGA, the Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society (GARS), are now available. The name of the newsletter is Gwinnett Archaeology Bulletin. Access a PDF of the premier issue, for February, by clicking here. Access a PDF of the March newsletter by clicking here.

GARS members are planning to co-host—with the Fort Daniel Foundation—an afternoon expo at the Fort Daniel site on May 19th, as part of the 2012 Archaeology Month activities.

Find all stories about GARS on this website by clicking here. GARS has its own Internet domain; click here to go to the GARS website.

What does the USA’s national anthem have in common with Georgia’s Archaeology Month 2012?

The War of 1812 is the focus of this year’s Archaeology Month theme in honor of the bicentennial celebration. According to Gerald Judson Smith Jr.’s article in the New Georgia Encyclopedia there were three main focus points for Georgia’s role in the War of 1812: the Creek War (1813–1814), the British blockade, and the British occupation of St. Mary’s and Cumberland Island (1814–1815). General John Floyd commanded the troops from Georgia. He was directed to build forts and destroy Creek villages. Fort Hawkins and Fort Mitchell are two examples. The battles also occurred in Alabama. Along the coast Georgians sought to defend themselves from attack by rebuilding Fort Morris and fortifying the battery at Point Peter.

Fort McHenry in this century.

While Georgia was having its own conflicts other states were defending their harbors as well. From September 12–14, 1814 the Battle of Baltimore was waged in Maryland at Fort McHenry. Following this battle, Francis Scott Key was inspired by the large flag still standing after battle. What started as a poem was later put to music and became the national anthem of the United States as it was proclaimed by Congress on March 3, 1931. These words continue to pay tribute to the battles that have occurred to continue to preserve American freedom. Who knew such an inspiring song would arise from this conflict? To see the words from the Star-Spangled Banner please click here.

We hope you will join us in commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 by attending the SGA’s Spring Meeting on May 19th at the Georgia Gwinnett College campus (map below). This will be a great opportunity to learn of the state of Georgia during that time. Presentations will focus on the research of the relationships between the Creek and the frontier people and feature research on fortifications from the period.

Special thanks to Jim D’Angelo for the inspiration of this Weekly Ponder from the January Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society (a Chapter of the SGA) meeting. Read all stories on this website about Georgia’s 2012 Archaeology Month by clicking here. Read all stories on this website about the SGA’s 2012 Spring Meeting by clicking here.

Join us on Saturday, May 19th, for the 2012 Spring Meeting of the Society for Georgia Archaeology. The theme for Archaeology Month is Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Papers that focus on archaeological research in Georgia and within this timeframe will be considered for the program. Each presenter should plan for a presentation of 20 minutes or less including time for questions at the end. Please submit your title and abstract (100 words) to Catherine Long via email by clicking here by March 15 (in time to print presentation titles in The Profile). First come, first served—the number of slots is limited to 6-7 presentations. For questions, please call 770.722.7730.

The conference will take place in the Student Center on the campus of Georgia Gwinnett College, 1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043 (see map below). Coffee and refreshments will be provided. There will be a small registration fee for attendees, including presenters.

To celebrate this year’s theme conference participants are cordially invited to attend an educational presentation at the Fort Daniel archaeological site as sponsored by the Society for Georgia Archaeology, local SGA Chapter Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society and the Fort Daniel Foundation. The program will be in the early afternoon and a pre-paid box lunch will be available for purchase. Don’t forget to visit the website as details for this exciting and engaging meeting are further developed.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Read all stories on this website about Georgia’s 2012 Archaeology Month by clicking here. Read all stories on this website about the SGA’s 2012 Spring Meeting by clicking here. Download a one-page version of this story suitable for printing and posting by clicking here.

Mark your calendar: the SGA’s Spring Meeting will be held on Saturday May 19th, as part of 2012 Archaeology Month celebrations. This year’s Archaeology Month theme is Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

We will meet at Georgia Gwinnett College, which is co-sponsoring the meeting. Georgia Gwinnett College is just north of Lawrenceville, and northeast of Atlanta. Notes Catherine Long, President of the SGA, “We are grateful to Brian Thomas for his help in securing this location.”

In addition, the group will tour nearby Fort Daniel (stories on this website on Fort Daniel here; visit the Fort Daniel Foundation website here). Fort Daniel dates to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. No standing architecture remains.

To read all stories on this website about the 2012 Spring Meeting, click here. To read all stories about 2012 Archaeology Month, click here.

For the 19th year, SGA is coordinating Georgia Archaeology Month, a statewide promotion that encourages the public to learn about the archaeological resources present in our state and creates awareness about the importance of protecting Georgia’s archaeological heritage. Your help is needed to plan the activities that will be the basis of our Calendar of Events. Possible activities include site tours, workshops, excavations for the public, open houses at museums or laboratories, exhibits, and lectures.

Please join in and help celebrate Georgia Archaeology Month 2012. Your event will be included in the Calendar of Events brochure, which will be distributed statewide as well as posted on the SGA’s website (http://thesga.org). This year’s Archaeology Month theme is Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Hold an event! Join in the Fun!

Here are some suggestions for local host organizations:

Libraries—create window or lobby displays that highlight books, journals, and magazines on archaeology; partner with an archaeologist to develop special student or seniors’ programs; host lectures

Museums—develop special exhibits or let us promote your existing archaeological displays; host lectures; host living history events

Historical and Archaeological Societies—host lectures or exhibits; work with local archaeologists to provide hands-on experiences; encourage members to visit archaeological sites and exhibits during the month

Colleges and Universities—encourage faculty to join in special community programs; promote archaeology curricula and field research of faculty; if appropriate, develop exhibits for student activity centers, libraries, and other public spaces

Professional archaeologists—present a talk to the public; sponsor an open house

Help us publicize Georgia archaeology by sponsoring an event. Please respond by March 30, 2012, using this downloadable event form to ensure that your activity is included in our Calendar of Events brochure.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please write Pamela Baughman at work or home.

You can download this story to print and post or distribute by clicking here. For all stories on this website on Archaeology Month 2012, click here.