Modern Mystery: Who Flattened Ancient Indian Site?

[L. Coyote]

Modern Mystery: Who Flattened Ancient Indian Site?

by (AP) OXFORD, Ala.
Published: Thu, January 21, 2010 - 12:22 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, January 21, 2010 - 2:42 pm CST
1956 Views |Short URL: http://wkrg.com/663121

Oxford, Alabama - A Jacksonville State University professor says an ancient American Indian site Oxford city officials agreed not to disturb has been destroyed, but he does not know by whom.

City officials say they have done nothing to harm the site.

JSU professor of archaeology and anthropology Harry Holstein said the site at the historic Davis Farm property in Oxford contained remnants of an American Indian village and the 3-foot-high base of a once 30-foot-high temple mound, which he says may have contained human remains.

When Holstein visited the site last summer, it was still intact.

But when he returned to the area Monday, he could find no sign of the mound or the village remnants.

The land is now flat, with tire tread marks clearly visible in the dirt.

"It's been flattened like a pancake," Holstein said. .........

Oxford's project manager, Fred Denney, said the city has not disturbed the site.

"We've never done anything to it," he said.

Before construction began, Holstein and other JSU researchers prepared a report for the city. The report said the Davis Farm property contained some of the most significant archaeological sites in northeast Alabama. It recommended the city leave the sites alone.

City officials agreed to the recommendation and told the Alabama Historical Commission the site would be left alone, Denney said.

Stacye Hathorn, Alabama Historical Commission state archaeologist, confirmed Tuesday the city agreed not to disturb the sites. ....

http://www.wkrg.com/raw_news/article/modern_mystery_who_flattened_ancient_indian_site/663121/Jan-21-2010_2-42-pm/

[dbonds]

1. If you ever met any of the good ole boys in Alabama you would know its not much of a mystery.

They would do that for the fun of it, laughing at those that thought they were being destructive.

(And yes, I was born and raised and currently live in Alabama (but I was able to escape it for about 30 years of my life)

[TroglodyteScholar]

6. I was born & raised in Alabama...

...and I was a bit surprised by this. I've known some pretty disrespectful rednecks, but none that out of control. Maybe I've just been fortunate.

[Lint Head]

2. Ignorance is the word of the day in this country.

That is why not only a precious ancient American Indian site has been destroyed but everything that is precious to our freedom and existence is also being destroyed.

I can hear Limpballs and Pat Robberman right now putting down the telethon for Haiti.

[gimama]

4. ignorant, ugly, heartless.. YES

can hear Limpballs and Pat Robberman right now putting down the telethon for Haiti.

WE just have to sing louder. The ugly cannot win.

[gimama]

3. sad & sickening..

thanks for posting this.
If You're interested in Indian issues,
please look into the Clear Creek Reservation(SD)
and human rights abuses/crisis taking place NOW.
Also, ck out www.can-do.org , a great bunch o' volunteers,
making a positive difference there.
I'd posted some video/docs a few wks ago..

[Historic NY]

5. i've had similar incident here on Revolutionary War site, gone w/o a trace now.

We had a nearby city project uncover an African American burial gound which has been continously desecrated since about the 1800's. It was like pretend its not there.