ILLINOIS COMMENTARY

You Can Help Save Illinois' Heritage

When someone mentions the word "archaeology" in everyday conversation, most people in Illinois conjure up images of romantic, far-off locations, exotic finds and Hollywood characters such as Indiana Jones. In reality, most archaeology is quite unlike the well-publicized discovery of King Tut's Tomb or the slapdash methods of celluloid archaeologists such as Dr. Jones in the "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

In Illinois, a great variety of spectacular archaeology is being done every year. Although often without much fanfare, modern-day sleuths are excavating and/or studying a wide range of archaeological sites that are located in nearby cornfields or vacant urban lots. These sites span more than 10,000 years in time. Illinois archaeological sites also span the entire era of human occupation of the state, and range in age from simple prehistoric campsites up through complex industrial mining sites.

Archaeology is the study of mankind's past through the medium of material culture (or artifacts). By studying artifacts and their context, archaeologists attempt to understand the way people lived their lives in the past. In essence, archaeologists study other people's garbage in an effort to understand the intricacies of their daily lives.

Archaeological sites, both prehistoric and historic, are located throughout the state, and can be found on almost every landform in the state. Through careful excavation, these sites have the potential to yield a variety of new information relating to our collective past.

Unfortunately, archaeological sites are a fragile, non-renewable resource that are being destroyed every day. Such resources warrant our protection. To stem the destruction of these archaeological sites, both state and federal laws exist that strive to protect these resources from destruction. If state or federal monies or permits are involved with a construction project, that project may require an archaeological survey prior to construction to determine if an archaeological site is in the proposed project area. We have conducted many archaeological surveys for rural electric cooperatives in Illinois prior to their construction of new facilities. Although several of these surveys have located archaeological sites, with appropriate planning and/or coordination with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, these construction projects have not been delayed or impacted by the archaeological discoveries.

Adequate planning prior to construction is essential and allows for the adequate mitigation (excavation) of an archaeological site, if it is warranted. Unfortunately, many of the archaeological sites destroyed every year are on private land that is not reviewed for archaeology prior to development. With planning and minimal archaeological investigation prior to construction significant archaeological resources can be preserved.

To determine if an archaeological site is on your land, an archaeological survey is necessary. Locating broken pieces of pottery, chert flakes, and arrowheads on your land is a good sign that an archaeological site is present. Often, though, the surface visibility of these sites is very low. A professional archaeologist should conduct a systematic survey of your land. To find the closest professional archaeologist, contact the Preservation Services Division of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Their Web site is www.state.il.us/HPA). Once an archaeological site has been located, the site often can be avoided and efforts made to preserve it for future generations. Another Web site for avocational archaeologists in Illinois is the Illinois Association for the Advancement of Archaeology www.museum.state.il.us/iaaa.

Together, we can protect our collective archaeological heritage so future generations may enjoy and learn from it.

Floyd Mansberger is Director of Fever River Research, and sits on the State of Illinois' Historic Sites Advisory Council. Fever River Research, PO Box 5234, Springfield, IL 62705, (217) 525-9002, or e-mail frnansberg@aol.com. The opinions and views of guest commentators are their own and may not represent those of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives or the electric co-ops of Illinois.

MAY 2004 | www.aiec.coop | 5