For Haun's Mill Archaeological Investigation, 2004
Strategic Planning Meeting
For Haun's Mill Archaeological Investigation
Held at the Community of Christ Temple
January 10, 2004
Those in attendance:
Lach Mackey – Director of Historic Sites for the Community of Christ
Michael Riggs – Director of Far West Cultural Center
Paul DeBarthe – Project Archaeologist
Ron Romig – Historian and FWCC Webmaster (where Archaeology reports are located)
Kim Wilson – Chairperson of the Board, Mormon Historic Sites Foundation and Thomas McBride descendant (project and future monument sponsor)
Robert Hawley – Steamboat Arabia Museum, Magnetometer site surveyor
Ann Romig – Archaeology project assistant
Rina DeBarthe – Archaeology project assistant
Dave McEwen – MMFF board member and Haun's Mill Researcher
Janell Jenkins – MMFF member and Thomas McBride descendant
Sharon Harris – FWCC Friends Group President, Archaeology project assistant
Shawn Fuhriman – 2004 season Archaeological Summer Camp Cook and researcher
Barbara Walden – Restoration Trail Foundation and John Whitmer Historical Association board member (both project sponsors)
Joy Goodwin – Artifacts Manager for the Community of Christ
Lachlan Mackey called the meeting to order at 3:30pm and everyone introduced themselves around the table, then we went to work. The first order of business was to review the results of the 2003 dig season. The briefing was performed by project Archaeologist, Paul DeBarthe. Highlights of his report included the following information:
Paul mentioned that once away from the creek there is a layer of compressed earth and burned material at 12 to 22 inches below grade. The archeology seems to show that the east half of the site has a greater concentration of Mormon period artifacts. Some period artifacts have turned up on the west end of the property near the road, but not much. Squares in the teardrop shaped parking area have proved particularly interesting. Slumping was noticed in the gravel drive and a 10 ft square was opened. A substantial body of Mormon period artifacts were found but there was no evidence of a basement. What might have been the base of a fireplace was found and a new square will be opened to test the area. Four squares were opened in the middle of the field near the road. Two squares are now below the plow zone. The probable remains of a foundation have been found. We might have identified two walls. The coming season should allow us to make a positive identification.
Significant findings of the last season included a substantial number of Mormon period artifacts found. Most seem to be associated with a residence where a foundation seems to be appearing. By probing across the site, we know that we need to concentrate on the area near the teardrop. Lots of charcoal and burned earth has been found at about 18 inches below surface in this area. The gravel from the parking lot was about 12 inches thick.
Dave McEwen, asked a question about elevations taken. Paul DeBarthe said that elevation readings have been taken. We might need a better GPS system. A question was asked about tree borings. The Oak trees did not read well. Other trees in the area are not old enough. More details about the 2003 season can be found at: give the link.
Discussion then turned again to planning for the coming season. In addition to the work described above to expedite parking lot and monument construction (see below), Paul and his crew will probe the area south of the ditch. They will also continue working in the middle of the field on the north side and will place several squares near the ditch (one each side).
Kim Wilson talked about a design concept for a monument to be erected at Haun's Mill once a location on the site can be cleared as safe from any historically significant areas. Representing the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation,Kim's ideas for site development are being done in cooperation with Community of Christ and other interested parties. Most liked by the group was a general theme of a flat, circular (wheel shaped), granite marker with interpretive sections carved all around. Kim also talked about siting a visitor parking area on the property to compliment the monument. It was agreed that in the beginning weeks of the 2004 season we would concentrate on looking at the area of first preference for the parking area located on the west end of the property to determine if it is a sterile zone devoid of artifacts. To this end, the group felt that about five squares should be excavated in the tree-line along the south side of the road and a number of squares should be excavated. If either the access point to the parking area along the tree line or the field where the parking space would be is not cleared as usable, this will allow us to explore possible alternative sites or plans if necessary early in the process. The group felt that any interpretive information/monuments should be in the field vs. in the trees (to the north or south). Most felt comfortable with the landscape architects placement of the memorial if the area proved to be sterile. The use of berms as a landscaping feature to hide the future parking lot was discussed and Paul commented that he had no objections to them from an Archeologists perspective. Paul did, however, request we defer the monument until after excavation and Lach responded that project funders, while supportive of our efforts, expect a more immediate response. Work will also continue and be expanded in 2004 on productive locations identified in earlier work on the property.
In addition to the normal Fall Sunday dig schedule, Michael Riggs announced the Far West Cultural Center will plan at least five week long digs (expanding from three completed in 2003). The planned dig dates announced are June 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28- July 2, Aug. 9-13. Participant scholarships donated by MHSF, RTF and JWHA will help to expand the number of weeks on site this summer. What are needed are additional adult supervisors willing to assist Paul during the digs.
Other significant items covered where:
Ø Bob Hawley reported on magnetometer surveys of the site. He mentioned that most of their work has concentrated on the west end of the site. They found a turn-of the century dump on west end. They are carefully mapping out area with GPS equipment so they don't go over the same area twice. They have some questions about where the creek was in former times and they think it has perhaps moved a significant amount. Most significant research over last year-surveyed west half of field and it appears to be relatively sterile of ferrous materials with the exception of the dump from a later period at the edge of the timber on the south. Twelve feet below the surface on the east edge of property a disposable diaper was found. Metal drum was found fourteen feet below surface. A fifteen-foot deep trench was cut back 20 feet from the bank of the creek on the east side of the property and the Mormon period grade was not found. It is clear that there has been a huge amount of sediment deposited since the 1830s. Most of the early nineteenth century metal that has been found has been in the middle of the field. Bob and David Hawley will be continuing the survey of the property with their magnetometer.
Ø Ron Romig will contact Charlene Ward at the Caldwell County courthouse and ask her about right-of-way usage on county maintained roads. This is in attempt to find a possible parking solution option if a parking area cannot be found on the property that will not work because of being in an archaeologically sensitive spot.
Ø Michael Riggs will give Dave McEwen contact information for John Hamer (map maker) so Dave can supply some of his early mapping data showing stream movement.
Ø Lachlan Mackay shared an e-mail from Newell Kitchen in which he reaffirmed his interest in helping with research at the site. Newell Kitchen plans to do GPR and soil probe work near the location where the face wheel was discovered.
Ø There is a need to clear the fence line prior to the dig season so it was agreed that we need a "Clean Up Day" and two dates were scheduled, April 10th and May 29th 2004. David McEwen and Janell Jenkins are to ask MMFF if they would sponsor the April 10th event as was done two years ago and the LDS Branch Youth group in Hamilton was to host the May 29th outing. Others would be encouraged to come as well though.
Ø Lach Mackey was to approach JWHA planners about hosting another Haun's Mill Summit at their annual meeting in Omaha this summer. The proposed date of this meeting will be September 23, 2004.
The meeting adjourned just after 6:30 pm.