Archaeologists Are Worried About Savannah's Building Boom (Register: appointed, construction)

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Interesting article....

The proposed ordinance would require that a city-appointed archaeologist supervise the unearthing and documentation of underground artifacts at construction sites, with developers footing the bill. So far, the only building projects in Savannah involving archaeology have been those that received federal or state funding—the National Historic Preservation Act mandates that public projects in locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places undergo an archaeological evaluation.

From early 19th century stoneware to Revolutionary War musket balls, antiquities are frequently uncovered at Savannah's multiplying building sites. According to Ashlock and associates, such remains are often discarded, destroyed, paved over or carried off by workers or looters.

Preservation is a big deal in Savannah. The 300-year-old port city is renowned for restoring the architectural treasures in its historic district. But preservation of artifacts under the ground is a different matter. “People don’t care about what they can’t see,” says Rita Elliott, education coordinator and research associate with the Lamar Institute, an archaeological nonprofit. “Half the battle is education. Savannahians don’t realize the significance of what lies beneath their city.”

The drawn-out struggle of Savannah’s archaeologists exemplifies the preservation versus progress debate that divides many historic cities. The past is precious, but the future promises profit. While some developers aren’t outright opposed to an archaeological code, they’re wary of the fine print.

“The devil is in the details,” says Kevin Klinkenberg, executive director of Savannah Development and Renewal Authority. He says an ordinance would be problematic if it imposed broad regulations instead of tailoring them to individual projects. “One size doesn’t fit all,” says Klinkenberg. “In theory, I’m for it. History is the city’s core. But it’s important that nothing hinders the ability of the city to keep improving.”

Savannah’s archaeologists argue that archaeology wouldn’t halt construction. The ordinance they’re advocating would be built into the permitting process, much like electrical and plumbing codes, becoming an integral part of building plans. Only large projects would come under review, and even they might not warrant a full-scale archaeological survey. Research conducted before groundbreaking would determine if a site has potential.

Archaeologists Are Worried About Savannah's Building Boom - CityLab