Spring ended with a flurry of activity for the Coastal Georgia Archaeological Society, with ArchaeoFest on May 31 and CGAS’ Spring Fling on June 7. With temperatures that did not evoke spring—a heat advisory was in effect—a small but hardy group braved the heat for a wonderful program, “Revolutionary War Savannah: Beyond Spring Hill” by Rita Elliott of the Coastal Heritage Society. She spoke on work done this spring to uncover remnants of the Revolutionary War fortifications built around Savannah. Excavations in Emmett Park, and Madison and Lafayette squares, all in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, provided much interest for tourists and locals alike, as well as some great publicity. After the program, there was a tour of the Locktender’s House site at the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal and an opportunity to look in the museum at some of the newly discovered artifacts from the site.

CGAS booth at ArchaeoFest 2008, Savannah.

At ArchaeoFest, held at Battlefield Park in downtown Savannah, CGAS volunteers manned two children’s activities: a Quiz Board, where artifacts are matched with their descriptions; and an Indian Pottery activity, where children had an opportunity to make and decorate their own Indian clay pot. It was definitely hands-on, very messy, and apparently very popular. CGAS’ future plans for the summer include washing and cataloging artifacts found this spring at the Locktender’s House site. Fall activities are expected to involve an excursion to the Effingham Living History Museum and the Reiser-Zoller House, and a fall picnic and program on the Civil War vessel “Water Witch.” Anyone wishing to join us is welcome. Please contact Chica or Carl Arndt at (912) 920-2299 or Carndt2651@aol.com.

Posted online on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008