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Thesis by William J Wilson

The Blackwater River in Santa Rosa County, Florida, is host to numerous ship sites, many of which... more The Blackwater River in Santa Rosa County, Florida, is host to numerous ship sites, many of which relate to Pensacola’s historic brick and lumber industry. Since the 1980s, the University of West Florida and Florida’s Bureau of Archaeological Research have been documenting these sites, which are generally preserved well as a result of the low-speed hydrodynamics and high-tannin content of the river. In this thesis I examine the site formation processes of these sites, including a thorough analysis of natural and cultural forces. The data include previous historical and archaeological research, environmental data, side-scan sonar imagery, and diver reconnaissance. In addition to providing a greater understanding of sites in the Blackwater River, I hope this information plays an integral role in future site management strategies.

Conference Presentations by William J Wilson

Visualizing the distribution of artifacts at the CSS Georgia site was a challenge due to the vast... more Visualizing the distribution of artifacts at the CSS Georgia site was a challenge due to the vast amount of material recorded and recovered. To assist in this, a GIS was created which incorporated data gathered from diver reconnaissance and recovery operations. First, unit sketches and notes were scanned and georectified. Later, artifacts positioned from the sketches and ultra-short baseline (USBL) readings were digitized and organized according to type. This allowed the archaeologists to visualize concentrations of individual types of artifacts versus the overall assemblage. This GIS came to be useful both as a heuristic device and to answer ongoing questions about formation of the site.

Ships, as tools for transportation, are physically mobile objects. Beyond that, people shift thes... more Ships, as tools for transportation, are physically mobile objects. Beyond that, people shift these fluid entities between themselves as owners and, as it suits their needs, change the primary functions of ships. By taking a multi-site approach and tracing vessels through their operational sequences, these shifts become visible and can contribute to broader insights. Within the Blackwater River (Santa Rosa County, Florida) during the 19th and early 20th centuries, many businesses utilized ships as tools for
transporting lumber and bricks, and some for carrying passengers. Although generally serving this purpose when their owners abandoned or lost them, their unique pasts provide more information.

The study of site formation processes has been incredibly useful for nautical archaeologists thro... more The study of site formation processes has been incredibly useful for nautical archaeologists throughout the past several decades. New research in this area has led to behavioral insights about the cultural and natural aspects of site formation at submerged sites. The Blackwater River provides a unique laboratory within which to explore these processes. This paper describes some of the social and economic influences leading to the creation of many ship sites in the Blackwater, as well as the early results of research aiming to determine the effects of natural forces transforming these sites. This research will be used to help develop site management plans that will play an integral in protecting these resources in the future.

The analysis of lithic debitage has proven to be a potent tool for informing on lithic production... more The analysis of lithic debitage has proven to be a potent tool for informing on lithic production/reduction sequences and strategies, on site usage, and on chronology. This article describes the analysis of the chert portion of a debitage assemblage from a small site, 9PA7 in North Georgia. The purpose of this research is to use debitage analysis to investigate the kinds of lithic reduction activities taking place at 9PA7. The flake variables recorded include flake type, termination type, and the presence/absence of dorsal cortex. The chert debitage shows a trend towards more broken and fragmented flakes, as well as a relative lack of cortex, consistent with Sullivan and Rosen’s findings for late-stage biface reduction, using the same method.

Papers by William J Wilson

Conference Posters by William J Wilson

"The Blackwater River functions as a unique laboratory for studying and understanding natural s... more "The Blackwater River functions as a unique
laboratory for studying and understanding natural
site formation, since it is brackish water, semitidal,
and contains several ship sites in a relatively
small area. As such, These sites present an
opportunity to fill gaps in our knowledge regarding
natural site formation."