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city off the Chandeleur Islands said Friday his application for a permit to conduct further archeological surveys of that city has been rejected. George Gele?,?who recently told the National Space Technology laboratories Diving Club of his find and asked assistance in collecting evidence that the underwater city exists, said Friday his application for a permit was rejected last week. Gele? had applied for the application^ from the Secretary of the Louisiana ? Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, after his application is screened by the Louisiana Archeological and Antiquities Commission, which acts as a recommending body for the secretary. i The reason for disapproving the permit, according to Gele?, was that the commission and secretary did not accept the credentials of Dr. David Zinc, author of ?Stones Of Atlantis? and ?Megalithic Stones?, who earlier said Gele? had made a ?major archeological find.? ?The state claimed Dr. Zinc is not a professional archeoloigist. I reminded the secretary about the part of the law which stipulates that a person with field experience qualifies as an expert, but / - Vki ? - - Rejection.................................. j Commission, said Friday she could not , comment on the matter ?f the permit ' rejection. Dr. Byrd said all question^ snould be referred to Dr. Lawrence Crane, the secretary of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. Dr. Crane?s was out of his office Friday and unavailable for comment. Gele? said Friday he is scheduling another expedition to the islands, this time with the assistance of NSTL divers and equipment. Another factor which may slow his search for the lost dty is exploration by oil companies in the area which the dty is located. Gele?, however, believes the state will ?go with the highest priority? and not allow oil companies to work in the area of his find. ?I guess I am in competition for some of the ground, because I am sure oil is beneath the site,? Gele? said. Gele? explained the State Department of Natural Resources is tasked with issuing permits for underwater oil exploration. ?I believe in the state?s sense of preservation of historical finds. I the state would not accept that,? Gele' said Friday. ?I have since contacted a professional archeologist to assist me,? he added. Gele? told the NSTL divers that his find could date back 15,000 years to th$ Ice Age, depending upon which layer^jf sand the foundation of the dty rests. Dr. Kathleen Byrd, state archeologist with the Archeology and Antiquities REJECTION-Page 6A *______________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A ploration, but I also know the state h, an interest in archeological finds of tt sort,? Gele? added. Gele? explained that he is not professional archeologist but rather < amateur, with his weekend excursia to the site near the islands. Gele? expressed a need for an a propriate vessell to continue his e cursions, a large boat which cou handle the equipment necessary continue the search. The boat, Gele? said, would ideally 1 equipped with Loren-C communicatii equipment, underwater sonar equi ment, and be able to support divers He said anyone willing to voluste such a vessel could contact him J telephoning him at (504)-925-3756.
Archeology 005