Mississippi - De Soto NF
Closed! Uncovering Early Settlers in Southern Mississippi: Historic Artifacts Lab
MS-4269
October 19-23, 2015
Must commit to entire session
After the American government completed the Louisiana Purchase, settlers started trickling into the new territory. Mississippi was part of this new area, which went through two waves of early settlement: the first around 1810 and the second around 1818. John Fairley and his family entered southern Mississippi some time during the second wave, becoming one of the first settlers in the new region.
Last fall, volunteers used metal detectors and shovels on the ridges around the John Fairley family cemetery, Red Hill. We thought, at the time, we found the Fairley homestead, based on the types of historic artifacts recovered. During the spring of this year, we excavated units in and around a pile of brick or clay chinking at the possible homestead. We recovered a great many artifacts and other data, so now we need your help to analyze them! So, the De Soto staff would like to invite volunteers back for a week-long journey through time. There will lots of sitting, but if you need to stretch or get a case of the wanders; you can help repair excavation equipment! See you in the fall!
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: Volunteers must possess the ability to laugh, have fun, see fine details, and write on small spaces on forms; previous archaeological laboratory experience on the De Soto NF is desired, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Tent and RV camping available at Paul B. Johnson State Park; water, hook-ups, bath house; fees will apply; Hattiesburg and Wiggins are full-service communities with hotels/motels, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/camping equipment, food, and daily transportation to designated meeting area
Nearest towns: Project based in Brooklyn; Wiggins, 14 miles; Hattiesburg, 18 miles
Applications due: August 31, 2015