Walton County Archeological Study

[Matt J]

Google

Note: Ignore the actor listings, that's clearly not him.

He does show up in a Google search as having published papers. Still no actual credentials, like a degree, but he is seeming more legitimate.

 

[Morning Glory]

Archeological Study

Interesting - but I can't help but wonder:
"How much money is this going to cost?"
"What happens if you let this guy dig on your property and he finds something he deems "historic"?
"And why is Brannon pushing it?"

You can bet it will cost tax dollars and private property owners will be affected in ways they never thought of.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Acdng to the Emerald Coast mag above, he is affiliated with Panamerican Consultants | Experts in Cultural Resource Management.

Interesting...

 

[Matt J]

Looks like a consultant that a developer hires to quickly move archeological sites. :scratch:

My BS meter just moved back into the red.

 

[AndrewG]

interesting read. Thanks for posting

 

[30A Skunkape]

Looks like a consultant that a developer hires to quickly move archeological sites. :scratch:

My BS meter just moved back into the red.

It bears watching, but his intent probably is innocent. Believe me when I tell you nobody goes into archaeology for the money. Most people who make a living at it (outside of the university setting) do field consulting which is generally an honest endeavor. Almost all field consultants retain their curiousity and interest in field research and remain involved in projects like this.

 

[30A Skunkape]

You can bet it will cost tax dollars and private property owners will be affected in ways they never thought of.

Many times projects like this are funded by private grants. If tax dollars are used they are already allocated for such projects and stimulate spending involved in executing the project. If you have never seen an actual excavation you might be surprised how much hardware and office supplies (sharpies, notebooks, fountain pens with nice nibs not to mention computer needs) are needed. That does not include the food and drink required to keep the crew going nor the transportation costs. Then when you factor in the potential for increasing tourism where none previously existed, the return increases. It is a wise investment.

As far as your implication that somehow someone is going to lose their private property rights, this is unfounded. The only 'loss' I have seen is remorse a land owner had when a nice relic or artifact (that they were unaware of being in the dirt in the first place) is unearthed and removed for display. Landowners who allow access to their property are generally understanding that they are promoting cultural literacy and have no regrets. The paranoid types with the fences and 'posted no trespassing' signs will not grant access anyway, so no need to worry about them.

 

[scooterbug44]

The article from Emerald Coast was all about preserving water rights and sources and getting the National Historic Register to take things over. Rail lines were also mentioned.

 

[TreeFrog]

Google "Gregory Mikell Archaeology" and you'll see he's a recent college grad, BA from U of Fl. He appears to have worked for Panamerican earlier this year for several months, but appears to no longer be with them. P's web site is pretty clear - they are about helping developers get permitting.

The NWFDL article sounds a lot like Mr. Mikell is putting together a proposal to the state to fund his study. Hope that's the case, and that he's successful in securing funding. There's much to be lost.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Interesting - but I can't help but wonder:
"How much money is this going to cost?"
"What happens if you let this guy dig on your property and he finds something he deems "historic"?
"And why is Brannon pushing it?"

Brannon is quoted for a couple of sentences about the importance of understanding our history and he's "pushing it?" It is most likely that he was interviewed because he is the Chairman of the BCC.