Lake Okeechobee Archaeological Dig

Upon successfully defending my master's degree thesis in 2008, I began working part time as an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University while also working as a GIS analyst in a temporary capacity with the Planning and Zoning Division of Palm Beach County. While there, I jumped at an opportunity to assist Christian Davenport, the county archaeologist, on a unique project. Water levels in Lake Okeechobee were at historically low levels, revealing normally submerged islands. When a resident of a nearby town discovered what looked like Native American artifacts, he reported his findings to the county, and Chris took on the task of investigating the site. I visited the site on multiple occasions, using a handheld precision Trimble GPS loaded with ArcPad software to mark the locations of artifacts. I also assisted a team that included a professor from Florida Atlantic University who is an expert user of ground penetrating radar, or GPR. With this device, subterranean sections of the site could be mapped and further investigated to better understand the historic context of the local people and their activities hundreds of years ago. While exploring other normally submerged regions in the lake we came across other discoveries, including the remains of a fishing boat, likely destroyed during one the nation's deadliest hurricanes that hit Lake Okeechobee and its surrounding towns in 1928. Back in the office, I provided support for these archaeological projects using GIS to develop maps, while assembling mosaics of historic photography over Lake Okeechobee to analyze lake level changes over time. I also used my skills as an artist to make hand sketched drawings while assisting with curating artifacts found during our digs. While a relatively short assignment, assisting Christian and his team was a career highlight as a geographer. It was my first non-thesis related experience employing field methods as part of a larger mapping project. And I was especially excited to read about this project in the March 2008 issue of National Geographic Magazine.