Tales of a CRM Archaeologist

Cultural Resource management. Otherwise known as Archaeology's drunk uncle no one likes to talk about.

You want to build something? Going to use Federal or state funding to do it? saddle up my friend, because you'll have to call us.

We hear this question everyday from someone who thinks they're witty. Please don't be that person.

Dont get me wrong, the movies are good, but no.

I grew up in the Hudson Valley, New York. The place is teeming with prehistory (Native Americans) and History. Digging in my backyard yielded barrel pieces, stove top iron, musket balls and an artillery shell. And that's just what I remember offhand.

I've got 4 under my belt. Each one has a story, Maybe if people like I'll tell them later.

Worst story was from a co-worker who found a wallet in the woods next to some boots. Turned it into the police station and was quickly surrounded and questioned. They went back to the area and found the guy, who'd been missing for a year, hanging in the tree. The foliage had camouflaged him. His feet were still in the boots.

http://www.projectilepoints.net/Points/Dalton.html

Probably one of my best days. These are rare to find. Only 3 have been found in New York alone. Even broken in half, it was the size of my palm.

Landowner was not happy.

Don't get me wrong, I've got stories for days. But the job requires copious amounts of travel. Days, weeks or months away from home. It puts a strain on a relationship.

It's also why we tend to drink heavily. Well, that and getting shot at near constantly.

We're kind of the bane of landowner existence. They don't want us around, but if the research says something may be out there, we have to go.

Needless to say, when we do find things, Landowners will do whatever they can to try and mitigate the damage. This has included taking a bulldozer to the land shortly after we left. Yes, he was charged a hefty fine, but it cost him less than if we had to go back out.

Occasionally we get a landowner, usually a farmer, who claims that nothing is there and no way could anything be there. That's usually a red flag. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

If we're on a nice parcel of flat land, near a swamp or other major water source, chances are we're going to find something.

And for the love of all you hold dear, don't pot hunt and dig up places you think may hold stuff. You're destroying history. You want to find stuff? Great. Go to a corn field, farm area, new building or any other place that's been completely disturbed. There's no context there anymore. It's been plowed/dug/bulldozed into oblivion. If you DO find something, take pictures before you pick it up. Show what's around it. This way, if you find something important, there's a record of where you found it. Document, Document, Document

A lot of people don't seem to think what I do is hard work. "Oh anyone can do that!"

My standard reply is to ask them if they can hike up to 3 miles while carrying upwards of 20 pounds of equipment, including a 3' square box screen and shovel, while maintaining a straight line using only a map and compass. And don't forget to stop every 15 meters and dig a hole.

I get this a lot. Especially from my parents, who aren't exactly happy with my choice of work.

I work for 3 different companies in different states. Not all of them have work all the time. I can be employed for a year, or have nothing for 6 months. Gives me a lot of time for other projects. Blacksmithing, knifemaking, Armoring, Woodworking, Cooking, The Society for Creative Anachronism, etc.