April 18, 2005

Dear FHC Commissioner,

On April 7^th, 2005 the Florida Historical Commission (FHC) convened a meeting at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee and during the course of the meeting Dr. Ryan Wheeler presented to the committee a list of recommendations for the isolated finds policy (IFP). There were three recommendations made to the FHC, one of which was complete abolition of the policy. As a person who has complied with the IFP and contributed valuable information to the State I do not want to see the policy abolished. Abolition of the IFP would only divide the avocational and professional archaeological communities and in my opinion would be detrimental to professional archaeology. The State of Florida would lose a valuable resource, one that has produced some of the most valuable archaeological sites in the State.

There is a rich history of avocational archaeology in Florida that no doubt started in pre-historic times when people first picked up spear points made by others. Historically, the first major contribution by avocationals was made by the Simpson family of High Springs in the 1920’s. Their passion for artifacts and fossils led them to make amazing discoveries in the Ichetucknee River and their collection was later donated to the Florida Museum of Natural History and utilized by Ripley Bullen in his typology work. Some of the first theories about Paleoindians and their potential involvement with now extinct megafaunal animals stemmed from some of the Simpson’s discoveries.

With the advent and popularization of SCUBA, the river and spring realms were opened to avocational archaeologists. No other avocational archaeologist/diver has made a larger contribution to Florida archaeology than the late Ben Waller. His discoveries of artifacts in rivers opened the door to professional archaeologists, like Ripley Bullen, to an entirely unexplored realm. Ben explored the Santa Fe, Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha and other rivers making incredible discoveries of projectile points and other tools left behind by ancient Floridians. These discoveries would likely never been brought to the attention of professionals had early amateurs like Ben not done so. The list of early contributors to Florida archaeology is a long one and includes names like: Jarl Malwin, Brad Cooley, Tom Greenhalgh, Dick Ohms, Alvin Hendrix and many others. Many of the sites that have produced valuable information about prehistoric Florida were discovered by these people.

The Aucilla River Prehistory Project (ARPP), headed by S. David Webb and James Dunbar, is arguably one of the most significant paleontological and archeological investigations ever undertaken in the southeastern United States. Most of the sites investigated in the Aucilla were reported by avocational archaeologists and include: numerous sites (Don Serbosik), Page/Ladson (Buddy Page), Sloth Hole (Dick Ohms and Bruce Means), and the Ryan/Harley Site in the Wacissa River (myself and my brother). These sites would not likely have been discovered by professionals as they could never expend the amount of time and money necessary to explore the lengths of river bottoms. This is where avocationals play a most important role which is that of field archaeologist.

The list of other sites discovered and reported by avocational divers is long but the point is that the IFP is a way to allow responsible river divers to communicate their discoveries to professionals. Arguing that IFP allows looting to occur is a flawed argument because looting is illegal. Those unscrupulous individuals that participate in these activities will continue to do so whether there is an IFP in place or not. By abolishing the IFP you will be punishing the people who have diligently been complying with IFP.

I encourage you to carefully weigh the immense benefits that avocationals provide to the State, through IFP, against the loss of important information that would surely occur if the IFP were to be abolished. Numerous rules are already in place that deal with looting. As a professional geologist I can confidently tell you that most of the sediments that lie on the bottoms of rivers represent deflated sediments and rarely contain in-tact strata. The information that can be gotten from artifact distribution maps is important, however is not nearly as valuable as information gleaned from an upland, stratified, undisturbed site. IFP only pertains to submerged state lands, especially rivers.

There are numerous ways in which collectors, avocational divers, interested citizens and professionals can cooperate. The IFP is one of the most important tools that professionals have for monitoring what is being found in Florida’s rivers. If IFP is abolished future important sites in rivers will likely never be discovered. Many questions about Florida’s prehistory remain – answers to these questions will certainly arise if the FHC has the foresight to continue to foster the relationship between avocationals and professionals by not abolishing the IFP.

Many of you may have seen the letters of support for the IFP sent to the Division of Historical Resources by some of the foremost archaeologists in the southeast. Barbara Purdy, Al Goodyear and Scott Mitchell all realize how important it is to foster the avocational/professional relationship. I also believe that Ryan Wheeler feels this way. If he did not he would not have offered several alternatives for your consideration – he would have only recommended abolition of the IFP. I would appreciate the opportunity to address the FHC at the upcoming meeting in May and express my concern in person. Thank you for your consideration and efforts in helping to preserve Florida’s heritage. Continued support of the IFP is a wonderful way to continue this tradition.

Respectfully yours,

Harley Means, P. G.