Archaeologists Are Worried About Savannah's Building Boom

Some big holes in historic downtown Savannah, Georgia, are causing a lot of grief. To make way for new hotels and an arts center, excavators are digging deep below the Spanish-moss-shaded streets, reviving serious concerns about the buried past of Georgia’s coastal belle.

For 30 years, archaeologists have been urging the city to enact an archaeological ordinance that would protect subterranean artifacts, but their effort ran up against public apathy, reluctant legislators, and developers fearful of extra restrictions and costs. With 13 million visitors annually and hotel occupancy at 80 percent, Savannah's flourishing tourism has generated a construction boom. While developers are delighted, archaeologists are worried. The massive earth moving has sparked a decisive call to action.