Time Sifters Archaeology Society Newsletter June 2018

JUNE-2018 Summer EditionDear Member:Summertime brings a hiatus in Time Sifters meetings, but not to our interest in all things archaeology. Tohelp get you through the long slow months, we are initiating a summer newsletter series with articles andlocal events of interest. This month’s newsletter also introduces a new series: Archaeologists You ShouldKnow. We are kicking it off by honoring Time Sifters own founder, Marion Almy.If you have a chance, get out to Gamble Plantation before June 21st to see archaeology in action. Archaeologist DianeWallman is leading the second season of investigations there. You are invited to observe the excavations 9:30-2:30 Mondays-Thursdays. Or, join in on one of the Public Archaeology Days. See info and dates below.I am writing from Oregon where it is beautiful, sunny and 67 degrees. But I’m watching the Florida weathermaps and storm tracks. I hope you all stay cool and dry!Cheers,Sherry Svekis, President [email protected] from a Time Sifter By: Dr. Steven DerflerThe Hero of PalmyraAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi, whose real name Syrian archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad rationale would actually run counter towas Ibrahim al-Badri, was once a (Fair Use) what al- Saudi claimed, and for a verylecturer of Islamic studies and an Imam practical reason- income.at mosques in Baghdad and Falluja. He tively Arab place, where Zenobia Anything “not bolted down’” would bealso served as an officer in the army of stood up to the Roman emperor. pillaged by ISIS. But it wouldn’t beSaddam Hussein. After being interred as “Concerning the historical city, we will destroyed. The few You Tube videosa prisoner of war by the US for several preserve it,” an ISIS commander, and pictures that were distributed byyears following the Second Gulf War, he Abu Laith al-Saudi, told a Syrian the PR people of the Islamic State werewas released. However, during his time radio station. “What we will do is all a smokescreen. The portable art, noin prison, he became a radical Moslem, pulverize the statues the miscreants matter how offensive to their religiousintent on the destruction of his corner of used to pray to.” However, ISIS’ philosophy, would be hoarded andthe world in order to re-envision it in the auctioned off on the black market toname of Allah. The methodology he international antiquities dealers andwould choose to employ would be one of shady private owners.violent terror. Once he moved to Syria, It is almost incredible to believe thathe would go on to become the leader of there were wealthy people who wouldISIL. One of the locations the group has pay a small fortune to procure some ofattacked is the ancient city of Palmyra, the world’s most wonderful pieces ofbut they never expected a heroic archae- Notes continued on page 3 ...ologist would do all he could to protecthis treasured city’s cultural heritage.The ISIS Smokescreenin PalmyraISIS believed Palmyra tobe somehow a distinc-Zenobia’s Last Look atPalmyra’, by Schmalz. (PublicDomain); Palmyra before ISIS(WWW.Airpano.com)

News & Events Public Archaeology Days June 7, 14 & 21 Excavation open for public observation — 9:30 to 2:30, Monday — Thursday Gamble Plantation Historic State Park Back to Angola Festival July 13-15 Manatee Mineral Spring Park, Bradenton Tidally United SummitAugust 9 - Sainer Pavilion at New College August 10 - Payne Park Auditorium August 11 - Historic Spanish PointArchaeologists You Should Know her firm, Marion has worked extensively to conduct surveys andMarion Almy excavations to ensure projects comply with the National Historic The recently sites around Tampa Bay and Preservation Act and/or local and announced 2018 between Tampa Bay and Charlotte state preservation statutes. Florida Preserva- Harbor that were associated with it. Marion's public contributionstion Awards presented the Evelyn Marion is the founding principal include donating significant timeFortune Bartlett Award, the state’s and President of Archaeological and expertise to facilitate themost prestigious historical award Consultants, Inc. (ACI), Florida’s coordination of historic preservationbestowed for an individual, to a oldest full-service cultural resources issues and Florida’s growthprofessional archaeologist, Sarasota’s management firm. Since its management legislation throughown Marion Almy, one of the beginning in 1976, ACI has focused on her tenure on local and regionalfounders of Time Sifters. research, writing, assessment and planning boards and historicalA native of Sarasota, Marion has interpreting Florida’s prehistory commissions. At present time,dedicated her professional life to and history. ACI holds the distinc- Marion continues to chair thethe documentation, assessment, tion of working as part of the Florida Historical Commission andand preservation of both prehistoric mitigation team to document the serve on the Florida Nationaland historic resources. Early decommissioning of NASA’s space Register Review Board.work alongside archaeologist shuttle program, specifically Cape Congratulations, Marion!George Luer led to the defining of Canaveral Air Force Station andthe Manasota culture, in 1979, associated launch complexes. Fur-and identifying 25 archaeological thermore, as Principal Investigator for

Notes continued from Page 1... with Abu Bakr”, Abu Nidal confidently thought.The Hero of Palmyra Meanwhile, one of his lieutenants, Mohamed el Moussa, an erstwhile, yetA 2010 image of the Agora in Palmyra. (CC BY SA 3.0); Palmyrean triad: Baalshamin, master entirely unworldly Jihadi , hadof the skies, the Moon-god Aglibol and the Sun-god Malakbel (Yarhibol). Cultual relief, lime- befriended one of the former guards ofstone, first half of the 1st century AD, found in one of the routes to Palmyra. The stele bears the archaeological site. He had struckreligious inscriptions carved by passers-by. Source: CC BY SA 3.0; Funerary bust of Aqmat, up a conversation with the man anddaughter of Hagagu, descendant of Zebida, descendant of Ma'an, with Palmyrenian inscrip- learned of a number of inscribedtion. Stone, late 2nd century AD. From Palmyra, Syria. (CC BY SA 3.0) stones that still littered the site. Appar- ently they had not yet been removedart- illegally. These folks would then al-Asaad and his son-in-law Khalil for safekeeping by the “western pawn”,put it on private display in an unbeliev- actively participated in the rescue of al-Asaad. “They are sure to fetch a veryably secure basement vault- for their 400 antiquities even as the town was good price on the black market,” saideyes only (without 007 in sight!) It gave being taken over by the terrorists. As the local Syrian.them pleasure to sit in front of the he was finally making plans for his Of course, he was fervently hoping thatmagnificent testimony to the artistic family’s escape, he was captured by the ISIS fighter would not kill him aftertalents of the human experience, ISIS. getting the information from him. Hewithout another soul having Their anger was palpable. The local asked for assurances for his life, andknowledge of it. And the worst part of warlord, Abu Nidal, “Father of the that of his family as well. After all, theit, they probably don’t even care, their Struggle”, in charge of the siege of artifacts were deemed to be priceless-egos are so immense. These high-end Palmyra was livid. Hundreds of antiq- but he was sure that they could com-theft recipients actually would feel that uities appeared to have been spirited mand a “down-to-earth’” mini-fortunethey were the rightful owners. off and Abu Bakr al-Bagdadi would be to unscrupulous collectors. ISISMr. Palmyra furious. There were no fewer than certainly wasn’t going to stand onKhaled al-Asaad was known as “Mr. seven “investors”, ready to spend ceremony if they could make money offPalmyra”. He had a lifelong connection upwards of $11 million dollars for the western greed.to the town, having been born into a most prized of antiquities that were toprominent family in the area in 1934. be removed from the ancient city once This article is an extract from the bookIn fact, he even named one of his the siege was successful. But now, ‘Palmyra’ by Dr Steven Derfler,daughters “Zenobia”, after the famed with the local museum and the site available on Amazon . For morePalmyrene Queen. relatively stripped of portable art, the Information on Dr Derfler’s research,Although he had a degree in history loss of this income would mean the visit http://www.eduresources.org/.from Damascus University, he had no very real possibility that Abu Nidalformal training in archaeology - all his would lose his life as al-Bagdadi vented Post script: After enduring oneknowledge in this field was self-taught. his wrath at the one he deemed month of torture, ISIS militantsHe had spent 40 years of his life responsible for this loss. murdered Khalid Al-Asaad. Theinvolved in the ancient city and its Making Money Off Western Greed scholar and cultural protector waspreservation. Eventually, curating the As a result, Abu Nidal would stall for publicly beheaded on August 18,ruins at the UNESCO World Heritage time, and ruthlessly torture al-Asaad, 2015. His body was then suspendedsite would become his life's work. by then an old man well into his 80s. by its wrists from a traffic light, hisAs ISIS moved closer and closer to the “He should break soon, and I will recov- head resting on the ground betweencity, surrounding and besieging it, er the lost items, and all will be well his feet. He was 83 years old. Today he is known as “The Hero of Palmyra”.Officers: Board of Directors Copyright © 2018Sherry Svekis, President Time SiftersArchaeologySociety,Inc.,Darwin \"Smitty\" Smith, Vice Pres. Directors: Steven Derfler All rights reserved.Bernice Jones, Secretary Robert Bopp Evelyn Mangie We send newsletters to peopleLaura Harrison - Treasurer Dorothy Cascio Sharon McConnell who have attended or expressedKaren Jensen, Membership Glenn Cooper interestin our lecturesand given us their email address.

Membership Speakers & Events CalendarLifetime: $250 All to be held at 6:00 PMIndividual: $25 Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota 34236Family: $35Sustaining: $50 September 19Student: $10 Virtualizing World Heritage Sites in Sicily Dr. Davide TanasiPay online at:WWW.TimeSifters.org October 17Or mail checks to: The Bronze Age Archaeology of Seyitomer MoundTime Sifters, Inc. in TurkeyPO Box 5283 Dr. Laura HarrisonSarasota, FL. 34277 November 14 The Rosewood Massacre Edward González-Tennant, PhD Time Sifters Archaeology Society A Chapter of the Florida Anthropological Society http://timesifters.org/Time Sifters Archaeology SocietyP. O. Box 5283, Sarasota, FL 34277