Ocmulgee National Monument the Earth Lodge Historic Structure Report

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Ocmulgee National Monument the Earth Lodge Historic Structure Report Ocmulgee National Monument The Earth Lodge Historic Structure Report August 2005 Historic Architecture, Cultural Resources Division Southeast Regional Office National Park Service The historic structure report presented here exists in two formats. A traditional, printed version is available for study at the park, the Southeastern Regional Office of the NPS (SERO), and at a variety of other repositories. For more widespread access, the historic structure report also exists in a web- based format through ParkNet, the website of the National Park Service. Please visit www.nps.gov for more information. Cultural Resources Southeast Region National Park Service 100 Alabama St. SW Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 562-3117 2004 Historic Structure Report The Earth Lodge Ocmulgee National Monument Macon, Georgia LCS#: 001186 Cover image: Earth Lodge, c. 1940. (OCMU Coll.) Table of Contents Foreword . xv Project Team xvii Management Summary Historical Data . 1 Architectural Data . 1 Pre-Columbian Features. 1 Reconstructed Features . 2 Interpretation . 3 Summary of Recommendations. 3 Pre-Columbian Features. 3 Reconstructed Features . 4 Visitor Experience. 4 Interpretation . 4 Administrative Data . 4 Locational Data. 4 Related Studies . 5 Cultural Resource Data. 5 Historical Background and Context Ocmulgee Old Fields. 8 Ocmulgee National Monument. 11 Chronology of Development and Use Earth Lodges . 15 Original Construction and Loss . 19 Discovery . 20 Reconstruction . 24 Planning . 25 Construction . 28 Ventilation . 36 Walkway . 36 Compromise . 36 Preservation . 37 Ventilation . 38 Clay Features. 39 Walkway . 43 Research and Interpretation . 43 Fire Protection . 44 Lighting. 44 Entrance . 44 Termites. 46 National Park Service v Sod . .47 Climate Control . .48 Kidd and Associates Study . .49 Mold and Cracks Redux. .53 Law Engineering Study. .54 National Bureau of Standards Report . .55 Implementation . .56 The Recent Past . .56 Physical Description Site . .62 Mound . .63 Mound Alterations . .64 Entrance. .64 Concrete Shell . .65 Footings . .65 Circular Wall . ..
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