Savannah’s Shield
Module 440:
Effective Interpretation of Archaeological Resources Workshop
Rob Bolling
Lonnie Davis
Larry Murphy
Della Scott-Ireton
Fort Pulaski, Georgia
March 2008
TANGIBLES INTANGIBLES
CSS Georgia loss
artifacts recovery
cannon defense
dive barge innovation
divers/archaeologists struggle
kiosk lifecycle
media heritage/legacy
preservation
responsibility
danger
UNIVERSALS
loss
recovery
danger
struggle
THEME:
The innovative CSS Georgia was created to defend
Savannah and her loss signaled the end of the city’s
Civil War struggle. Now, Savannah is defending
CSS Georgia from destruction as archaeologists
dive into the dark, swift water to recover her
remains and bring this unique piece of our heritage
back to life.
GOALS:
Understand the role of CSS Georgia in naval and
local history
Appreciate Savannah’s contribution to Civil War
gunboat innovation and technology
Learn how archaeologists document and recover
submerged cultural resources
OBJECTIVES:
1.Describe CSS Georgia’s role in the defense of
Savannah
2.Describe Savannah’s importance as a Southern
port
3.Name two tools of archaeological research and
recovery
INTERPRETIVE STRATEGIES:
Media Events
• kick-off celebration
• recovery of large artifacts (cannon)
• weekly press releases of latest recoveries and coming events
• end of project
Website
• history of vessel
• history of project and previous work
• archaeological methodology
• schedule of daily events, including when artifacts are coming ashore
• webcam on barge, linked to shore kiosk and museum
• photos and daily log (blog?)
• plans for conservation and exhibition
Shore-based Kiosk at Fort Jackson
• headquarters for excavation interpretation
• staffed by Fort Jackson interpreter , or possibly project staff
• schedule of daily events
• model , side-scan sonar images, other images if available
• opportunities to talk to archaeologists/tenders/barge personnel
• small finds in conservation/preparation for moving to lab
• coin-operated telescope for viewing barge
• interactive exhibits – aquarium with muddy water and artifacts, reach
in with one hand to identify artifact and draw with the other hand
• move CSS Georgia cannons to kiosk and interpret, both as artifacts and
as example of need for conservation of waterlogged artifacts
• illustrator to depict what artifact fragments would have been used for
Savannah Historical Museum
• tie-in to existing Savannah River/gunboat exhibit
• example of what’s to come when CSS Georgia material is conserved
and ready for display
• “Artifact of the Week” exhibit as material is recovered
• live feed from webcam at site
• encourage repeat visitation
• encourage visitors to go to Fort Jackson and vice-versa