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Future excavations could still prove fruitful, in spite of the raids of the 1960s. Marco has written the following:
Archaeologists have sought to determine what, if any, prehistoric deposits are still preserved at Claiborne. Surface collection conducted at Claiborne in the 1970s by Howell discovered three areas that may still contain undisturbed cultural deposits despite the extensive destruction of the site. In 1989, the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission funded further investigation of the Claiborne site in advance of additional industrial growth. Dr. Ed Jackson of USM led the testing, that included the excavation of several trenches. These revealed, as expected, that the site was extensively destroyed, although a few areas of intact midden and a large pit (possibly the mound's borrow pit) were still extant and possibly filled with undisturbed midden deposits.
In the 1980s, Dr. Marco Giardino in collaboration with both the Mississippi Archaeological Association (MAA) and the Louisiana Archaeology Society (LAS) conducted limited scientific excavations at the Mulatto Bayou or Jackson Landing site, inside the perimeter of the Earthwork.
[For additional information see article, “Marco’s Overview of Hancock County Prehistory” on my website, www.russguerin.com .]
Consider “event”
Marco suggested having an event, planned in conjunction with Archaeology week in October. Its purpose would be to invite public to return artifacts from Claiborne, not necessarily to donate, but at least to have items identified and photographed.
HCHS board approval needed.
[This might better be done later on, as timetable till October is short and might be done better after public more aware of importance of Claiborne.]
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Claiborne Historical Site Guerin-Giardino-(003)
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