Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 11/7/2023
Item Status: New
From: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
Submitted by: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Preservation of Burial Mounds at Live Oak Landing
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Authorize the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) to advise and assist Archives and History staff in the preservation efforts of a tribal historic property located at Live Oak Landing; and
2) Approve the THPOs to conduct the work necessary (if applicable) at the Live Oak Landing site, to preserve the tribal historic property; and
3) Authorize the Archives and History Department to work with the THPOs to ensure that the burial mound site is properly preserved to protect the cultural heritage of the property.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: In 2007, a Phase I survey of the Baldwin County Bicentennial and Live Oak Landing Parks tracts, a search of the Alabama State Site Files maintained by the Office of Archaeological Research at Moundville Archaeological Park, resulted in the identification of numerous known archaeological sites in the vicinity. In addition to two sites, Kennedy’s Mill and Hamilton Creek, previously recorded in the Baldwin County Bicentennial Park project tract, seven other sites occur within one mile. In general, these sites represent prehistoric, colonial, and early historic period occupations, and attest to the extensive human use of the waterways in the Mobile-Tensaw delta.
The Live Oak Landing Park site consists of one small burial mound, a large mound, and an associated village site about 15 acres in size, dating to the Late Woodland and Mississippian period. The site is large with several prehistoric and historic components, and an abundance of prehistoric and colonial artifacts have been collected. This was also the location of a British period (1763-1780) plantation established by Patrick Strachan.
Staff received notice from Mike Bunn, Director of Historic Blakeley State Park, that a burial mound located at the Live Oak Landing site had been disturbed. Dr. Gregory Waselkov, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of South Alabama, confirmed the mound site and skeletal remains.
Phil J. Carr, Chief Calvin McGhee Professor of Native American Studies, University of South Alabama, coordinated with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to schedule a meeting at the mound site with all parties involved.
It is the recommendation of the Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) that the site be capped. The THPOs will contact their agents to check feasibility and availability if applicable to assist the county in the preservation effort. If not, the County with consultation support from the THPOs will be required to use its resources to properly protect the site.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: N/A
Budget line item(s) to be used: N/A
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow-up: Felisha Anderson, Director of Archives and History will work with the THPOs to carry out the project.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Administration to email the Commission’s decision to:
William L. (Billy) Bailey, Jr.
Tribal Historic Preservation Specialist
Email: bbailey@pci-nsn.gov
cc: Felisha Anderson
Roger Rendleman
Frank Lundy
Madison Steele
Additional instructions/notes: N/A