During the darkest days of the Great Depression in 1932-33, more than one in five Americans was out of work. The economy had shrunk to a fraction of what it had been, and the very stability of the country was threatened. The inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933 brought his New Deal to America and myriad programs to put Americans to work. By May, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FEMA) was employing dozens of out-of-work men and, more rarely, women, to excavate the Marksville site in Louisiana. For the next decade, thousands of ordinary citizens were employed in archaeological projects funded by the various work relief agencies. After all, what could be more shovel ready than an excavation?
This fascinating book tells the story of New Deal archaeology from California to New Jersey. New Deal archaeological projects took place in at least 38 states and were often directed by noted scholars, including Gordon Willey, James Griffin, and Mark Harrington, to name only a few. Fourteen archaeologists contribute case studies from across the nations that include pioneering work in historical archaeology, comprehensive surveys, curatorial projects, as well as large-scale excavations. Because these archaeological projects were administered by five major New Deal agencies and often involved grants to local governments, there is no central record or repository to document this work. Shovel Ready is a giant step in assembling this very important part of America’s archaeological history. By the time the New Deal came to an end during World War II, archaeology in America had been transformed. Major parts of the country had been surveyed and mountains of data collected. Volumes of reports were written. Tens of thousands of Americans were exposed to our ancient past for the first time. This very readable and engaging history is an important addition of our understanding of this crucial period. —Mark Michel
