Archeology---Getting permission & escort?

[John Kasaian]

I want to shoot a documented archeological site thats on a very active military installation. Awhile back the areas were studied for inclusion into the NPS, but IIRC the findings of the report were that the sites were safer in their current status until the NPS can obtained the funds neccesary to take over administration. I contacted the range officer at the base and was told the area was secured for its own protection and that in order to visit I'd have to be escorted by the base archeologist. So I'll ask you good people:

What do I state as my reason for wanting to visit the site? It is obvious that the archeologist isn't going to drop everything just because I want to take a few pictures. My purpose of course is to document the site, but thats no doubt been done by the NPS and I'm not sure that "more of the same" is reason enough---besides I get the impression that until the site can be better protected, the base community would just as soon keep the location of the site as obscure as possible justly fearing vandalism (nieghboring sites located outside the Fort have indeed been recently vandalized.)

I have a few cards yet to play---one of my employers is a large University and I have a tepid relationship with two DOD operated military museums, but niether really have a direct interest in this particular site which was a religious temple whose only military connection is that it wasn't accidentally destroyed.

I'm also hot on the trail of an individual who was instrumental in the "modern" re-discovery of the site (the earlier visitors in the 1690's recorded it in journals kept where this individual was an archivist.) I really need to talk to this person first because there are dozens of documented archeological sites on the base and I need to find out exactly which site contains the temple.

So, what do you think I'd need to do to get the archeologist to escort me to the site? Any suggestions?

[Ralph Barker]

My thought, John, would be that your best bet would be to stress the value of LF images, and your willingness to work in concert with their efforts to explore and preserve the site. That, of course, assumes that you're willing to do so. That might mean being willing to withhold publication of the images until such time as they are ready to "go public" with the site details. Demonstrating your keen interest (e.g. the research you've already done) and your mind set (i.e. the willingness to work <i>with</i> the system) may be the keys to engraciating yourself with the base archeologist.

[Brian Ellis]

"What do I state as my reason for wanting to visit the site? It is obvious that the archeologist isn't going to drop everything just because I want to take a few pictures."

You might be surprised. I photographed an abandonded munitions complex in Wisconsin many years ago. I had to be accompanied by a certified guide. He was thrilled that someone wanted to photograph the complex and seemed very happy to spend a day showing me around and waiting while I made the photographs (with an 8x10 camera so it didn't go quickly). When I got permission and found out how to get a guide I just told whoever I talked to the truth, that I was a serious amateur photographer who thought the complex would be interesting to photograph. I'm sure an active military base would present some different issues but my point is that many people are flattered that someone wants to photograph their "baby" so your archeologist just might be glad to drop everything to accompany you.

[BrianShaw]

All US military bases will have a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) that takes care of htese types of matters. Also, many bases have a "Cultural and Historical Officer" in the PAO office. The US military is quite proud of the variety of heritage/historical sites on their bases and actively conduct conservation activities. They also enjoy publicizing these aspects of the base. You should contact the base's PAO office and explain your project. You'll probably be very surprised by the welcome you will receive. My experience is that they offer tours to even "lookie-loos" if time permits or will provide already-published information or information about future open-house or tour dates. If your project is unique (as mentioned before, LF is something that might be of interest, as is publication) you'll probably be well taken care of.

[Kirk Gittings]

It is always good to have a "project" that this is a necessary part of that will be "probably" published/exhibited by blah blah, though you are looking at all the options.

[John Kasaian]

Thank you for all the advice.

I received the sad news that the archivist I was searching for has passed away, but I've been able to narrow the sites down to three. One is in a cave and remains supposedly untouched while the others have been "built upon" over the years.

The local historical people have been very supportive and thanks to what I've read here I'm hopeful the military will be as accomodating.

I guess I just have to wait and see.

[jnantz]

hi john

see if the military base has a library ...
maybe the librarian ( and the cultural resource officer ) on-base
and and maybe the base's photographer can help you gain the access you need. once you get in, it is a long and rocky road to the finish ...

i have documented different things on military bases in "the enclosure" ( or the CIA as some places call it ) where access is completely restricted even to some of on-base people. i had to be security-clearance'd and had to have all the serial numbers of my photo equipment logged in and an id badges made. they didn't require an escort, but every 15 seconds someone asked to see my badge and asked all sorts of questions about who i was, and what i was doing &C &C. after a while an MP felt sorry for me, and he stood next to me. he was a camera-buff and we chatted about photography, and --->>he ran interference! he helped me many times and without him, i probably would still be there. the military did have very specific requirements --- certain things had to be out of frame or out of focus, and they needed polaroids of everthing i had to process all the film on-base.
the negatives / proofs and polaroids were all reviewed by the public affairs office.
this all happened pre and post 911.

good luck getting access. they may make you jump through lots of hoops but it will be worth it in the end!

--john

[wclavey]

There are probably 2 sets of issues in play with getting your permission, One of them is fact that this site is on a military base, and I would not even pretend to be able to offer advice there.

The other set of issues will surround the site, itself. I have worked for archaelogical projects in the past as a photographer and I am married to an archaeologist who has run projects. Most all active sites, even if there is not a "dig" going on at the moment are usually the domain of some archaeological team, generally a university, a museum or a government agency, and often a combination of the three.

So a state archaeological association may control the site, but the reasearch work will be done by a university or a museum or or collection of both who have agreed to work in tandem. The archaeological association will probably not give approval for anything to be done at the site without the concurrence of the research investigation team -- after all, these research institutions use these field operations as ways to train new archaeologists and the findings from that work are used to promote the esteem of the institutions. Unless the site is publically available, where the general populace can walk up and snap away, even photography will often be prohibited, unless you are affiliated. And even then, when it became obvious that I was not the casual snap shooter, I have been asked to not photograph sites that were in state parks where there was an active investigation underway.

I was luck to have a university affiliation that also had a museum affiliation when I was photographing, and I would recommend that you start there. Find out who the principal investigator for the site is and contact them. I would guess that there is a local agency who is handing out the permits for work to be done and who represents the needs of the community and state in dealing with the federal government. Contact that researcher to see if there is a way to get permission to do some photography there. This authorization can then be used as part of your leverage with the military issues. You may even find out that the primary research is all complete and then you only have to deal with the military issues.

The worst scenario would be if the 2 sets of issues are comingled - - and the military controls everything. Then you will have lost one of your leverage points. And cross your fingers that the University you do have a connection with is not a competitor for field work with whomever is the principal investigator at this site.