final project (1)
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
320
Subject
History
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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7
Uploaded by BaronHeat13532
Nicole Liggiero ATH 320
February 25, 2024
7-2 Final Project Press Conference
Mason Neck, Virginia, is the southernmost part of Fairfax County and is a peninsula that juts into the Potomac River. Our location is a 50-acre plot of land that is split between hardwood forests and farms. The land was recently sold to a university that receives private funding after being owned by a local family for five generations. The Virginia government intends to build a four-lane roadway across the land in addition to the site's overall context, connecting two important routes, the I-95 and Route 1. Our researchers unearthed several archaeological artifacts
during the site's initial examination, including homestead foundations, residential and burial mounds, and lithic assemblages. The artifacts show that human settlement at the site occurred during several historical periods. Native American tribes lived there initially, followed by European settlers in the sixteenth century, and then African-American slaves who worked on tobacco plantations. The best course of action for the site that is needed is careful consideration of all relevant parties ethically. Group collaboration is necessary to implement my solution. Concerning the burial mounds, this would entail collaborating with the nearby native populations and the private institution. This will enable the native groups living in the area to honor their ancestors and maintain their culture. With approval from the Native American communities, the private university can assist in the preservation of any material artifacts discovered. Everything that remains immoral can be given to the state museum, which receives public funding, to construct an exhibition. To give the general public the most authentic understanding of local native american culture, the local Native American communities will have a say in what is presented and how it is displayed. The state government will then be able to proceed with building the highway after all of this is finished. This will be carried out to save the Native American tribes' ancestral lands and customs, as well as to allow the state enough time to alter the highway's
designs before it is built. Although the former landowners are related to the land by blood, they do not possess any rights to the land or its contents. To ensure that America's cultural legacy is preserved, archaeologists are consulted before
any Federal highways are constructed or foundations are excavated. Hundreds of archeological projects are always in progress because the federal government controls nearly one-third of the country's land. Nevertheless, Federal Leveling involves more than moving dirt in large shovels (“Archeology and the Federal Government,” 1994). A new era of cooperation between Indian tribes and the government was heralded with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Land management organizations are now required to confer with Native American tribes. As required by law, these types of relics and artifacts need to be given to organizations that have a common culture. Comparable clauses pertain to archival and museum collections that are funded by the federal government. It is evident today that all Americans own the past. As the government-sponsored archeological record continues to grow, the Federal program stands out as a protector of that legacy (“Archeology and the Federal Government,” 1994). We must keep in mind that we are not in this business to find the highest bidder when making decisions in instances like these. Any culture is precious and must be honored. Culture reflects the community and how the outside world binds us to it. Furthermore, every culture has a
unique role in history. Since this site was created by a community inside a culture, it needs to be respected. Even though no one person owns a culture, in circumstances such as these, it is crucial
to examine the beliefs and values of that particular culture. Their needs and wishes for this location and its tangible discoveries must be considered.
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Everybody concerned will be impacted by this resolution. The affected cultural groups, the community, and the individual will all be impacted. The fact that the Native American groups in the area are participating in matters pertaining to their ancestry and cultural heritage will make them happy. And my goal is that this will bring about a change in the way similar judgments are made in the future. Other parties, however, will react differently to this suggested remedy. For instance, despite their direct relationship to the land, the former proprietors will not have any rights to it or its discoveries. Additionally, their offspring will not be able to view their family history. The state government's plans to expand the highway will need to be redirected. While that might be a drawback, the unearthing of this historical property could lead to a rise in local tourism and income as a result of the site's discoveries. The Federal Government will allow
the Native groups to study and research these types of relics and artifacts. Comparable clauses pertain to archival and museum collections that are funded by the federal government. Also, visitors, locals, and future generations will be able to learn more about the region, its history, and
the nearby native communities and their ancestors with the assistance of the state and federal governments, the burial mounds site, and tourists. This might encourage the native groups in the area to have better and more respectful relationships with the community. Additionally, since their history is recorded on the site, it can affect the prior landowners.
Though not all groups will be impacted equally or at all, there will probably be a ripple effect of some kind. The National Registry of Historic Places, a government website, may have an impact at the federal level. Once burial mounds are granted official historic status, they can be
added to the list (
National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)
, n.d.). These sites may qualify for maintenance funding when they are registered. The state might draw attention from other geographic areas by listing these historical landmarks on the tourism
website. The state would profit from taxes on food and other purchases, while the local community would gain from the increased tourists. Even the previous landowners will be impacted by this, as their names will appear in documentation discussing the finding of the burial
mounds.
The revelation might have an impact on the state's highway plans, therefore they might not be happy about it. Following the documentation of the historic places, the state may compare those locations with the original highway plans. The plans will need to be modified if the locations are too close to any portion of the proposed construction zone. Changing the plans can be costly, thus the state is not too keen to do so. To have a new plan created and a different portion of the land surveyed, they will have to pay once more.
Even though the former owners might have been seeking monetary recompense, a review
of the laws governing property ownership will show them to have no claim whatsoever over the land. They might try to sue, but the case would probably be dismissed. They may be thrilled with
the thought of having their family name included in any formal documents detailing the finding of the historic places after they acknowledge there will be no monetary compensation. They might be pleased to see their names included as former landowners who took good care of the property in the museum show. Being acknowledged in any way could provide them with closure,
even though it's not required. The burial mounds could draw tourists who might disrespectfully walk all over the places
if they are turned into historical attractions. Native American tribes can claim a large portion of the sacred material culture and move the ancestral remains to a secure area where the right ceremonies can be carried out if the burial mounds are dug up appropriately. Although they
might not initially be in favor of some material culture being brought to the museum, they might eventually come to see the benefits of education for the local population.
This additional historical information can be used in school materials for potential students. The institution is in a great position since, with the potential help of a third party, they get to work closely with the Native American tribes and legally control the properties. Hopefully,
they recognize the benefits of moving forward with designating these locations as recognized historical landmarks. The potential for financial gain and the positive relations that come from preserving the sites most likely drive the decisions. The U.S. Federal government is interested in these archaeological discoveries because of
the different acts and laws regulating bodies of water and artifacts found near them (“Archeology
and the Federal Government,” 1994).
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References -
Archeology and the Federal Government. (1994). Npshistory
. Retrieved January 19, 2024, from http://npshistory.com/newsletters/crm/crm-v17n6.pdf
National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)
. (n.d.). https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm