Science Digs Into Civil War Sites

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I am certainly not downing Archaeologists for doing their best to save history in metro areas, but I wonder what taxpayer afforded metal detectors are better than the, on average for your general enthusiast, $750-4500 "clunky" ones that are "popular with Civil War relic hunters".
I wish that more of the history savers would do like so many of us so-called history destroyers would do, DISPLAY IT. It's estimated that 80-90% of the relics recovered by Archaeologists are dusting in bins in basements. Why not do what many relic hunters do, take a day every few months or so and give presentations to local(public, not university only) schools so that the generation that is forgetting its own history can touch and experience it.

J.R. Sherman of OK 6:53PM January 27, 2010

Hope they move over to Columbia SC next, there is a lot that took place there too. It is being washed away by those that does not want the south to have a history!

jerr of LA 5:39PM December 02, 2009

I've heard alot over the years about all the Civil War battlefields, but the sheer number of Revolutionary War battlefields in GA and the Carolinas is staggering. Why aren't people more up on these?

jim of NC 4:34PM December 01, 2009

As a child I certainly remember family members pointing out this or that part of Atlanta where things happened in the Civil War. These family members included my great-grandfather, who was a teenage (13) when it all came down and remembered personally "those damn yankees stealing our chickens," still a sensitive point in family history (as I found out in college where I dared to write a paper on Sherman). Too bad that a new generation has forgotten much, but the new archaeology will save us all yet. A minor point, Sherman's troops did not burn Atlanta. The fire was an accident, although I am sure some of those "damn yankees" probably enjoyed it, although fire reduced their chicken take. Too bad.

Paul Buell 7:42AM December 01, 2009

That Atlanta has sprawled out over these sites is sadder still if you consider that the War Between the States was fought so that Atlanta wouldn't happen in the first place.

Michael 4:29AM December 01, 2009

Back in the 1980's, when I was an amateur historian with no real training in Archaeology, I used to metal detect the Atlanta -Marietta area quite a bit, with some luck (hit or miss). One of my friend's wife bought him a metal detector, and planned to give it to him as a surprise at a party she planned for him. I conspired with her by "salting" their back yard with 6 Minie Ball bullets I'd found. He was thrilled when she gave it to him, and immediately tested it in the back yard. Problem was... he found about 25 Minie Balls, but I only "salted" 6 -which I obviously did not need to do, as his home was actually part of the battlefield!

Thom Parham of FL 1:40PM November 30, 2009

Atlanta and surrounding areas have always been known to be "historically significant" areas, although not thoroughly invesigated nor protected. I grew up in Marietta, just north west of Atlanta. This whole county, Cobb, is known as a battleground. Kennessaw Mtn. is one of the more well known battlefields. I use to do alot of hiking in this area as a child and found many bullets and other artifacts along with Native American relics. I also lived in Powder Springs for several years and once found a 2 lb. iron ball in my back yard while grading. A friend who is a professional grader was doing work for the Centenial Park area downtown and hit a cache of old marbles, which I have 8 of. When Atlanta was captured and burned by Sherman, the town rebuilt over the rubble, instead of clearing it, hence the night club area known as Underground Atl. The whole city is built over the top of historic ruins. I'm amazed to see that this is "new" news to some. I've always wanted to be a part of a historical research team and have had a lifelong interest in archaeology. I received my BS degree from UGA and took several geology courses that I truly enjoyed. I would still like to pursue a MS degree in archaeological geology. GA was also the 13th colony and was originally a Penal colony founded by Oglethorpe. I'm positive that there are still may areas yet to be investigated that will yield many valuable and informative artifacts. If only I could be a part of this...

Tyler Dodd of KY 11:59PM November 29, 2009