Turkey House Excavation 2023 - Passport in Time
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Mississippi - Homochitto NF
Closed! Turkey House Excavation
A flock of Eastern Wild Turkeys
MS-4493
October 2-7, 2023 (including weekend)
Volunteers must commit to entire session
Join us this fall on the Homochitto National Forest (NF)! Our project this year will be a Phase II excavation of a site known as Turkey House. It is a mid-19th-century homestead, located in Franklin County, that was originally recorded during an archaeological survey for a NF prescribed burn project. Our work at Turkey House will be geared towards determining the site’s eligibility status for placement on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and to get a more precise set of dates for the homestead. Artifacts found during the initial recording indicate that the homestead may date from before the American Civil War, and if this is the case, it would make Turkey House the only documented pre-Civil War homestead on the Homochitto NF! Volunteers will aid the District Archeologist to excavate several 1x1-meter excavation units, collect and record artifacts, and map and photo elements of the site. During the session, other Mississippi archaeologists may be available for discussions on bad weather days, so we’ll always have something cool to do. The project is also within an hour drive of historic Natchez, which has a rich history dating from pre-Contact, to U.S. colonization, to the Civil War, to present day. So, there’s something for everyone; we hope to see you in October!
Please note that current COVID-19 protocols as recommended by the CDC and Forest Service will be followed to ensure the safety of volunteers and staff.
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: Volunteers must be physically capable of sustained, repetitive activities such as stooping, bending, kneeling, and lifting; previous archaeological excavation experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Tent and RV camping available at no charge at Homochitto NF Clear Springs Recreational Area (CSRA); water, RV hookups, and bathrooms; the towns of Meadville and Natchez are full-service communities with motels, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/personal camping equipment, meals, and daily transportation to designated meeting areas (if opting to lodge outside of CSRA)
Nearest towns: Meadville; 8 Miles; Natchez; 32 Miles; Brookhaven; 42 Miles
Applications due: July 31, 2023
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