A unit of archeologists based in Florida, but whose work is throughout the states of the old Confederacy east of the Mississippi River, has seen more than half laid off in recent weeks. The unit had 17 archeologists but 10 were fired in February. The National Park Service letter that was delivered to each of them said that they had “failed to demonstrate fitness or qualifications for continued employment.” Similar letters were delivered to other fired National Park Service workers throughout the country. Many of the archeologists had received excellent reviews of their work in the past and the letters seem to have been produced pro forma.
The National Park Service’s Southeast Archaeological Center (SEAC) in Tallahassee supplies archeological services for parks in nine states. Some members of the unit were working on uncovering Civil War artifacts at Kennesaw Mountain National Park. If the unit is no longer able to protect artifacts, then new trails or other improvements cannot go forward.
In 2021, when Hurricane Ida uncovered some Civil War cannon balls at Gulf Islands National Seashore, the unit identified the cannon balls and mapped the placement of the objects for preservation.
The archeologists are crucial to preserving our Civil War heritage, documenting the history of the South with scientific methods, and allowing for interpretation of objects and sites for the general public. All of the archeologists have masters degree or a Ph.D. There work goes from Virginia to Mississippi.
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