Identification and Evaluation of Submerged Magnetic Anomalies Deadmans Island Santa Rosa County, Florida
Abstract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (USACE-M) has proposed installing a shoreline protection system at Deadmans Island, Santa Rosa County, Florida. This work entails the placement of a wall of vinyl sheetpile offshore of the island and the planting of vegetation on the island itself. Because of the archaeological sensitivity of the island, the USACE-M requested that an underwater remote sensing and terrestrial survey be carried out in the areas to be affected by construction activities. That investigation was conducted by personnel from Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (PCI) in August 2002. The results of that research identified a total of 17 magnetic anomalies. Four of those anomalies were located in the sheetpile alignment and were recommended for further investigation. As a consequence of PCI's investigation, the USACE-M issued a request for additional investigation to identify and assess the four potentially significant anomalies to be affected by the construction. That additional research was conducted by archaeologists from Tidewater Atlantic Research Inc. (TAR), of Washington, North Carolina. Field research was carried out between 23 and 24 Aug 2003. Assessment of the targets consisted of a systematic search of the bottom surface either by wading or diving with a hydraulic jet probe and/or induction dredge. The results of the investigation revealed that all four were generated by modern debris or material possibly associated with the marine railway or fertilizer plant established on Town Point during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Anomalies 1 and 3 were identified as debris consisting of railroad iron, pilings, wire rope, and chain. Anomalies 9 and 13 were identified as coils of wire and structural material: dock structures and a barge. Besides the barge, all of the materials appeared to be fragmentary and retained little of their original fabric. Probing in the vicinity of the targets revealed no additional cultural materials. (58 re7
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 23, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA426963
Entities
People
- Gordon P. Watts
- Raymond Tubby