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Lets pretend that you own an expensive property that you occasionally rent out to peeps for a week or so in the summer for tons of cash. What woulod you think of a letter like this? And how can I make it better?
My name is H------ H------, and I am a PhD student in the Nautical Archaeology program at Texas A&M University.
I have been researching various aspects of the early colonial period in the Bahamas for the past couple of years, focusing on the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries (around 1680 to 1730). This was a period of broad political, economic, and social change throughout the English (and later, British) Empire. The Bahamas are an interesting place to examine some of those changes, as though the islands were geographically important, in other regards they there quite marginal. The maritime setting also appeals to me, as I am interested in asking questions about the nature of maritime communities and the influence of the environment on people and societies.
Harbour Island is one of the earliest known settlements from this period. I believe that the island has the potential to illuminate this fascinating period of Bahamian history in a way that has been lost in more developed areas such as Nassau. I am planning to undertake an archaeological investigation in order to answer questions about the lives and community of the early settlers.
This will involve an initial survey phase to both help build a general picture of land use and identify areas of interest for targeted investigation. As part of this survey work, I am seeking interest and support form local land owners. Based on my research and my visits to the island, I believe that your property, , is likely in an area settled in this early period, and I would like your permission to investigate your property as part of my survey.
There are two forms that this initial survey could take, either of which could provide valuable information for my project. The first, shovel testing, involves digging shovel pits along predetermined survey lines at regular intervals. The second, test pits, uses a smaller number of 1m by 1m holes in areas known or suspected to contain early colonial material. The advantage of the first method is that it is more likely to find more material. The second is advantageous where material is already known to exist – for example, one resident I spoke to on my recent trip mentioned finding a lot of antique blue and white pottery in one area of his lawn. I have used both of these survey methods before, and when the holes are properly refilled there is minimal visible evidence. I would like to emphasize that permission to carry out either kind of testing would be exceedingly helpful.
Depending on the success of the initial phase, I may seek permission to perform further investigations. This second phase will involve an expansion of work, using adjacent test pits, in areas identified by the survey as having an abundance of relevant material. In all cases, my team will do their very best to ensure that any areas of excavation are left in as close to their original condition as possible. Again, in my experience, it is possible to re-fill this type of excavation so that there is minimal remaining evidence.
All artifacts recovered in this study will be turned over to the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation of the Bahamas for long term care and display. I will incorporate the data into my dissertation, academic articles, and conference papers. One of the primary goals of my project is to provide a tangible link to the founders of the community on Harbour Island and to better understand the island’s place in the development of the Bahamas and the English Empire of the early 18th century.
I am hoping to undertake this study in the summer of 2009. I am contacting land owners now in order to amass the information I will need in order to apply for government permits as well as grants to fund the project.
If you would like any more information about my project, I would be happy to discuss this further. Likewise, if you have any more questions about what exactly the survey would entail, please contact me at the above address.
Thank you for your time,
H------- H-----
My name is H------ H------, and I am a PhD student in the Nautical Archaeology program at Texas A&M University.
I have been researching various aspects of the early colonial period in the Bahamas for the past couple of years, focusing on the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries (around 1680 to 1730). This was a period of broad political, economic, and social change throughout the English (and later, British) Empire. The Bahamas are an interesting place to examine some of those changes, as though the islands were geographically important, in other regards they there quite marginal. The maritime setting also appeals to me, as I am interested in asking questions about the nature of maritime communities and the influence of the environment on people and societies.
Harbour Island is one of the earliest known settlements from this period. I believe that the island has the potential to illuminate this fascinating period of Bahamian history in a way that has been lost in more developed areas such as Nassau. I am planning to undertake an archaeological investigation in order to answer questions about the lives and community of the early settlers.
This will involve an initial survey phase to both help build a general picture of land use and identify areas of interest for targeted investigation. As part of this survey work, I am seeking interest and support form local land owners. Based on my research and my visits to the island, I believe that your property, , is likely in an area settled in this early period, and I would like your permission to investigate your property as part of my survey.
There are two forms that this initial survey could take, either of which could provide valuable information for my project. The first, shovel testing, involves digging shovel pits along predetermined survey lines at regular intervals. The second, test pits, uses a smaller number of 1m by 1m holes in areas known or suspected to contain early colonial material. The advantage of the first method is that it is more likely to find more material. The second is advantageous where material is already known to exist – for example, one resident I spoke to on my recent trip mentioned finding a lot of antique blue and white pottery in one area of his lawn. I have used both of these survey methods before, and when the holes are properly refilled there is minimal visible evidence. I would like to emphasize that permission to carry out either kind of testing would be exceedingly helpful.
Depending on the success of the initial phase, I may seek permission to perform further investigations. This second phase will involve an expansion of work, using adjacent test pits, in areas identified by the survey as having an abundance of relevant material. In all cases, my team will do their very best to ensure that any areas of excavation are left in as close to their original condition as possible. Again, in my experience, it is possible to re-fill this type of excavation so that there is minimal remaining evidence.
All artifacts recovered in this study will be turned over to the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation of the Bahamas for long term care and display. I will incorporate the data into my dissertation, academic articles, and conference papers. One of the primary goals of my project is to provide a tangible link to the founders of the community on Harbour Island and to better understand the island’s place in the development of the Bahamas and the English Empire of the early 18th century.
I am hoping to undertake this study in the summer of 2009. I am contacting land owners now in order to amass the information I will need in order to apply for government permits as well as grants to fund the project.
If you would like any more information about my project, I would be happy to discuss this further. Likewise, if you have any more questions about what exactly the survey would entail, please contact me at the above address.
Thank you for your time,
H------- H-----
busy
(no subject)
they ?are quite marginal?
If I owned a posh house I would like to know big a shovel pit is + how many constitute a survey line
whether I would have a say over where these pits can/cannot be dug
what if I've already found stuff - will you look at my finds before digging holes all over my lawn?
what if something valuable is found (gold!) do I get any compensation?
Do I get a written summary of what is on my property that I can use to get more peeps to come and stay
whether my details will be published or not in the museum (i.e can I have a card with my name on it vs. I don't want any mention of my name/location on this find)
who is funding the investigation
:) but thats just me :)
(no subject)
(no subject)
From the point of view of one who works a lot with academics and researchers - you might be best not including ever detail of your project at this stage. A letter of introduction explaining that you're hoping to do some investigatory excavations in Harbour Island in 2009 and are very interested in their (historically important!) land would be more likely to open a dialogue than something that's spelt out in loads of detail. If they're not historically minded then this information overload could be a turn-off. Also don't mention other land owners - they're more likely to say no if they reckon you can go elsewhere to get your results.
Once they've established communications, you can go into more detail about practicalities and proposals. This would be my communications strategy!
(no subject)
(no subject)
This sentence made me think immediately "Oh, she plans to dig the holes whether or not I give my permission, she's just saying that my permission would make her life easier."
In addition to the comments others have left I really think this needs to be reworded in order to make it clear that you wouldn't do anything without their permission and if they would give you their permission that would be very much appreciated.
(no subject)