Remember when we announced that our frequent co-host Kimberli Fitzgerald would be leaving the show so she could pursue a degree in archaeology? Well, Kimberli was able to join us to talk about how this training has been opening her eyes to even more aspects of historic preservation.
She undertook this line of study to enhance the historic preservation services the City of Salem provides. When Public Works crews encounter potential historic artifacts while performing construction or maintenance projects, the work must be postponed while the State Archaeologist from the State Historic Preservation Office reviews and documents the site. This delay could be very lengthy due to the small number of specialized SHPO staff available for this type of review. Having a registered archaeologist on the City's staff should provide for a more efficient process, especially in the initial planning phase.
You can learn more about this record-setting discovery, too. The Statesman Journal recently published an article about this find. To check it out, click here. Kimberli also provided us with two other links that offer more information and photographs: (1) from Western Digs , and (2) from Oregon Public Broadcasting.
We look forward to having Kimberli join us again in the future to tell us about other treasures she has uncovered here in Oregon!