MO-4059
March 26–31, 2012 (including weekends)
Must commit to entire session
In the 1830s, approximately 100,000 American Indians from the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, and Choctaw nations, among others, were forcibly removed from their homelands in the Southeastern U.S. and marched to reservations in what is now Oklahoma. Many suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation while en route to their destinations, and many died, including 4,000 of the 15,000 relocated Cherokee. Approximately 30 miles of the Old Military Road (a.k.a. Natchitoches Trace) that served as this sad pathway crosses the Mark Twain National Forest as part of the Benge Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Almost half of that land is managed by the Poplar Ranger District. Thanks to a successful PIT project last year, nearly all extant trail segments through the Forest have been identified and their locations have been accurately mapped with a resource grade GPS unit.
Join us as we photograph and document each segment in detail including preparing individual feature forms that will be used to supplement the existing site record. We will sweep a metal detector across the surface and perform cruciform shovel testing to determine presence/absence of a sub-surface component. We will also record width, depth, terrain, vegetation, and any disturbances to the Trail and the cultural landscape. We will make particular note of segments in need of immediate management action. This is an important project and, once again, one that promises to be as fun as it will be interesting. We hope to see you on the Mark Twain this spring!
Number of openings: 8
Special skills: Previous archaeological survey and mapping, sketching, GPS use, and/or photography experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age:12 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Tent and RV camping available at no charge at Markham Springs Recreation Area; water, showers, vault toilets; lodge house available at Markham Springs Recreation Area; water, showers, flush toilets; rental fees apply; Greenville and Poplar Bluff are full-service communities with motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment/lodging, meals, extra water, and transportation
Nearest towns: Williamsville, 3 miles; Poplar Bluff, 10 miles; Greenville, 10 miles
Applications due: February 13, 2012