“Scouring for Prehistory”—An Opportunistic Methodology for Sea Floor Archaeology
Author:
Garrison Ervan G.12ORCID, Jones Emily Carter12, Robinson Michael3, Rivera Yasmine I.4, Williams Kelsey A.4, Prueitt Benjamin3, Carter Anderson L.5, Newton Matthew A.6ORCID, Hemmings C. Andrew7
Affiliation:
1. Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA 2. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA 3. Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, University of Georgia, Savannah, GA 31411, USA 4. Geoarchaeology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA 5. Department of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 72, 9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands 6. Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA 7. Aucilla Research Institute, Monticello, FL 32344, USA
Abstract
Finding prehistoric sites, on the sea floor off the United States, has proven to be a difficult task. Over four decades of innovative attempts have produced few discoveries. This discussion outlines the difficulties in finding submerged prehistory on the sea floor, examines current methodology(ies), and presents a new methodology that demonstrates promise based on research conducted over the past decade. The purpose of this discussion is to outline the problems facing archaeologists searching the sea floor for archaeological sites. It is less of a critique of past efforts and methodologies used in those attempts. Without those efforts, a reason for developing a different methodological approach would be unnecessary. Any “one size fits all” methodology is limiting, and the scant number of marine archaeological sites located off the shores of the United States can attest to the need for practitioners to continue refining their methods. This is especially the case on the continental shelf of the eastern United States, where sediment cover is often meters, or several meters, thick. This opportunistic methodology developed on the continental shelf of the Georgia Bight, western Atlantic Ocean, has located intact paleo-landforms with in situ, palaeoecological remains thereby offering promise for future archaeological discoveries.
Funder
National Science Foundation
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