LETTERS - Still Digging for Facts in Martel's Letter

May 24, 04:31 PM

Current Headlines: I am writing in response to a letter printed on May 4, from Mike Martel of Bristol, and titled "Not very much science in this archaeological expedition." It seems that Mr. Martel has a great deal to say but many of his statements lack any science or archaeological knowledge. Any first-year archaeology student knows the geological differences between a woodland seashore area and a wetlands swamp. I do not intend to give Mr. Martel lessons on erosion, soil composition and decomposition in these two distinctly diverse areas. Thus, I think Mr. Martel should leave the archaeology to the professionals.

As far as his remark concerning the "knuckleheads," if Mr. Martel would like to meet me, I will show him the dozens of photographs that I have taken of disrupted mounds, all by way of the percolation test pipe.

Finally, Mr. Martel's remarks on the Wampanoags and Wilfred Greene and the slavery comment were in poor taste. No one is trying to take anything from anyone. In this case the top goals of the North Smithfield Conservation Commission are: Is this area in their town a significant archaeological and historical site, and how they should proceed?

(FREDERICK F. MELI

'North Kingstown

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