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initial intro letter re-draft
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slapperfairy's suggestions I'm going to start with an initial short letter. What I've got so far is this, which I would probably just send as an e-mail.
Dear ,
My name is H------ H------, and I am a PhD student in the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University.
I am planning to do an archaeological survey of Harbour Island for my PhD Dissertation, during the summer of 2009. I believe that your property, -----------, may have significant historical material. I require landowner permission in order to apply for government permits, and I am wondering if you would allow me to undertake some low-impact investigations. For more information and details of my plans, please contact me either at this address, by mail, or by phone.
Thank you for your time.
I've also now worked on the expanded info letter - broken down in to sections to make things a bit clearer, I think.
History
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 were 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.
The Property
Your property is inside the boundaries of the town marked on two early eighteenth-century maps of Harbour Island. As such, I believe that there is a high possibility for finding materials dating to this early period on your land. You may have already encountered artifacts of this type – for example bits of pottery or pipe stems. If you have collected any of this material I would be very interested to see it! If you know of any areas where concentrations of these types of artifacts could be found on your land, I would also be very interested in investigating them.
The Work
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 small pits (1-1/2 ft wide) 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 either kind of testing would be exceedingly helpful, and that by law I require your permission to undertake any testing of this sort. You have the ultimate say over where I am allowed to dig!
Depending on the success of the initial phase, I may ask for 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.
Post-excavation
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. Ultimately the conditions of display will be up to the museum.
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. Copies of any published material will be sent to the National Archives, and electronic copies of my dissertation can be provided to interested participants. Your name will also be listed in the acknowledgements section of my dissertation
Thoughts on either?
slapperfairy's suggestions I'm going to start with an initial short letter. What I've got so far is this, which I would probably just send as an e-mail.Dear ,
My name is H------ H------, and I am a PhD student in the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University.
I am planning to do an archaeological survey of Harbour Island for my PhD Dissertation, during the summer of 2009. I believe that your property, -----------, may have significant historical material. I require landowner permission in order to apply for government permits, and I am wondering if you would allow me to undertake some low-impact investigations. For more information and details of my plans, please contact me either at this address, by mail, or by phone.
Thank you for your time.
I've also now worked on the expanded info letter - broken down in to sections to make things a bit clearer, I think.
History
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 were 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.
The Property
Your property is inside the boundaries of the town marked on two early eighteenth-century maps of Harbour Island. As such, I believe that there is a high possibility for finding materials dating to this early period on your land. You may have already encountered artifacts of this type – for example bits of pottery or pipe stems. If you have collected any of this material I would be very interested to see it! If you know of any areas where concentrations of these types of artifacts could be found on your land, I would also be very interested in investigating them.
The Work
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 small pits (1-1/2 ft wide) 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 either kind of testing would be exceedingly helpful, and that by law I require your permission to undertake any testing of this sort. You have the ultimate say over where I am allowed to dig!
Depending on the success of the initial phase, I may ask for 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.
Post-excavation
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. Ultimately the conditions of display will be up to the museum.
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. Copies of any published material will be sent to the National Archives, and electronic copies of my dissertation can be provided to interested participants. Your name will also be listed in the acknowledgements section of my dissertation
Thoughts on either?