Lake Minnetonka Nautical Archaeology 5
Statewide Historic and Cultural Grants. $5,250,000 the first year and $5,250,000 the second year are for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional, or other historical or cultural organizations; or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources.
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MHM short and intermediate term goals for this project were exceeded in every measurable way. MHM's primary goal for the Lake Minnetonka Nautical Archaeology 5 (LMNA-5) Project, a Phase 1 archaeological reconnaissance survey, was to examine specific wrecks and anomalies recognized through a sonar survey and determine their significance as submerged cultural resources. During the LMNA-5 Project, MHM examined 31 anomalies assigned these numbers: 7, 9, 23, 40, 78.1, 97, 199, 327, 337, 351, 403, 441, 448, 452, 457, 481, 487, 488, 489, 491, 494, 548, 549, 550, 552, 558/559, 563, 564, 565, 566, and 569. Using data accumulated from the fieldwork as a starting point, MHM conducted research to place newly recognized nautical archaeological sites and anomalies in their historical contexts. Minnesota Archaeological Site Forms were filed with the OSA when appropriate. Initially, the proposed number of anomalies to be investigated was 25 unknown targets. However, some work days went more quickly than anticipated, so 6 more anomalies were investigated during the project. Three newly-identified sites were included in the Lake Minnetonka 2015 on-going sediment study; Bruce Koenen of the Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) suggested the study in 2013 in order to determine the rate of sediment build-up in different areas of the lake. This data is used to approximate the sinking dates of boats and other resources, using wrecks with known sinking dates for comparison. After the completion of the LMNA-5 Project fieldwork in October 2015, there are now 48 wreck sites identified from Lake Minnetonka. Of these wrecks, 29 of them have 28 Minnesota archaeological site numbers; 2 wrecks are features of one site. The precise sinking dates or the year of disposition of 15 of the 19 remaining wrecks are known; MHM will fill out Minnesota archaeological site forms for them when appropriate. Further, 3 other types of maritime sites have archaeological site numbers and there are 15 maritime sites or objects without numbers. Additionally, 13 'other' objects have been identified that do not have site numbers. During the LMNA-5 Project specifically
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