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Ceramic fragments found in live fire training range
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Posted on Mar 29 2019
YIGO, Guam—An archaeological monitor working at the future site of the live fire training range complex discovered a small surface scatter of Latte Period ceramic fragments during the monitoring of construction work on March 19, 2019.
Per the existing programmatic agreement, immediately upon the discovery the approved data recovery action plan was initiated, all work was halted at the site, the area was appropriately marked off with flagging tape and the State Historic Preservation Office was notified.
A Marine Corps Activity Guam archaeologist visited the site that afternoon, and verified it as a significant eligible site. Due to its location within the footprint of the range, MCAG Environmental will perform archaeological data recovery to mitigate adverse effects. Thus far, no other class of artifacts has been observed and there is no indication of features.
“Although the area had previously been covered by surveys that exceeded established standards, conditions within the forest at the time of the surveys prevented discovery of some sites. That is why an inadvertent discovery clause is part of historic property identification efforts required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act,” said Ronnie Rogers, MCAG Archeologist. “MCAG EV [Marine Corps Activity Guam Environmental] works with the State Historical Preservation Office to minimize adverse effects of our projects on significant historic properties through consultations and reviews of project designs to ensure that significant properties are avoided where possible.”
The Department of Navy in conjunction with MCAG EV, will perform archaeological excavation and data recovery of the site in line with the requirements of the Programmatic Agreement of 2011. MCAG and the DoN remain committed to the cultural and historical preservation of the island, along with maintaining transparency of our processes. (PR)
