TDEC Hosts Virtual Discussion Of Submerged Sites In Archaeology Lecture Series

  • Friday, July 1, 2022
Dr. Morgan Smith of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga will give a virtual lecture on submerged archaeological sites in Tennessee on Thursday, July 21 at 6 p.m. (CDT).
 
The lecture is part of a monthly series of speakers including researchers, resource management professionals and archaeology students to highlight archaeological research in Tennessee. The series is hosted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Archaeology.
 
Dr.
Smith’s talk is titled “Exploring Tennessee’s Submerged Cultural Landscapes and Resources.” Online registration is available at this link.
 
“When we think about underwater archaeology, we perhaps imagine the faraway ocean wreckage of Spanish galleons, lost Mediterranean cities or more recently the Antarctic discovery of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Endurance,” said State Archaeologist Phil Hodge. “However, researchers like Dr. Smith are documenting submerged archaeological sites in inland lakes and rivers and are demonstrating the power of such sites to present a more complete picture of the past.” 
 
Officials said, "The Tennessee River is full of inundated archaeological sites which have seen little if any formal monitoring or survey since their inundation over half a century ago. Recently, UTC's anthropology program has begun assessing critical historic and prehistoric sites in the vicinity of Chattanooga. These include the Civil War shipwreck Chattanooga and the Paleoindian LeCroy site (40HA43). This conversation will highlight the process and significance of submerged sites research, the importance of the underwater archaeological record of Tennessee, the state of UTC's research on the aforementioned sites, and future plans for research on these resources."
 
The online lectures, presented on the third Thursday of each month, are free and open to anyone who wants to participate. Details for the series can be found at this link, and links to each meeting will be provided there as each presentation approaches.
 
Each year since 1989, the Division of Archaeology has co-sponsored the Current Research in Tennessee Archaeology (CRITA) meeting to promote the state’s archaeological heritage and share information about research in the state. After canceling the 2022 meeting, the division pursued ways to share happenings in Tennessee archaeology with the public and professional community and build momentum toward the anticipated return of CRITA in 2023. The virtual series is a result of those efforts.
 
Anyone who has questions about the series are invited to contact Mr. Hodge by email at Phil.Hodge@tn.gov.
Memories
AUDIO: Lee Anderson On How He Started In The Newspaper Business
AUDIO: Lee Anderson On How He Started In The Newspaper Business
  • 6/27/2025

Lee Stratton Anderson is one of Chattanooga’s most famous individuals working at the News Free Press as a reporter, editor and publisher for 70 years. The longtime News Free Press editor ... more

AUDIO: Grady Gant On 50th Anniversary Of TNT Plant
AUDIO: Grady Gant On 50th Anniversary Of TNT Plant
  • 6/26/2025

The Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant in Hamilton County is now known as Enterprise South. It is home of Volkswagen of Chattanooga Assembly Plant. The nearly 7,000 acres once produced TNT beginning ... more

AUDIO: Bill Hall On The Town And Country Restaurant
AUDIO: Bill Hall On The Town And Country Restaurant
  • 6/23/2025

The Town and Country Restaurant served up some of the best food in Chattanooga for nearly 60 years. The popular eatery on N. Market Street closed almost 20 years ago, but still holds a special ... more