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Disturbing burial grounds doesn't build up good will
by our readers
Jul 01, 2009 | 1634 views | 4 4 comments | 27 27 recommendations | email to a friend | print
We all have a choice about where we shop, and now practically everything is available on the Internet. Some of the merchants of Oxford Exchange should be concerned about their business. Destroying ancient burial grounds doesn't exactly build community good will.

According to Jacksonville State archaeology and anthropology professor Harry Holstein, the large mound behind the Oxford Exchange is at least 1,500 years old. It was a possible burial site for the native Creek Indians. The Alabama Historical Commission reports that the Woodland-era mound is the largest of its type in the state.

If we treasured our heritage as we should, we could have made a wooded park and educational center in this place. People of all faiths could have taken a walk there on sacred ground for spiritual renewal. Oxford would have been known for something more than just a place to shop.

We have lost plenty of our historical treasures to neglect and arson. But this beats all. We're losing this one to willful ignorance and greed. Shame on you, Mayor Leon Smith. Shame on us, people of Calhoun County, for allowing this to happen.

Susan Di Biase
Jacksonville
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comments (4)
« 123@easystreet.com wrote on Monday, Jul 06 at 05:13 PM »
Tug,

Funny!

Regards,

« wooman11@aol.com wrote on Friday, Jul 03 at 02:06 PM »
Deep-six maybe you should be deep sixed there at the mound,give that liberal crap a break. So you are a Republican and we all know your views are the only ones that matter,and by the way who dont have Native American blood, you still sound like an Idiot.
« jesujoyquartet@yahoo.com wrote on Friday, Jul 03 at 01:34 PM »
Deep Six,

You misunderstand me. I am in favor of capitalism. I think it is the best economic system going. I am very happy to patronize my local businesses. I am loyal to the ones who provide good service and are good corporate citizens.

What I object to is capitalism without a conscience or sense of community values. Some of the big box stores have been guilty of actually harming local businesses. This situation, in which we are losing something irreplaceable, really starts a particular big box store off on the wrong foot.

As for the word "possible," it was added by the editors. I believe the archeological evidence is pretty strong that this was a burial site. Probably the bones are dust by now.
« deepsix9@hotmail.com wrote on Friday, Jul 03 at 11:32 AM »
Magic words here are: "It was a POSSIBLE burial site for the native Creek Indians." There are NO FACTS. Only a GUESS that it is, that it MIGHT be 1500 years old. Or, could it just be a huge dirt hill? NO one know. This is just another LIBERAL, crying comment, by a liberal/leftist, who wants to destroy anything and everything that might lead to someone actually making a living, a business surviving, a family having a job, and the liberals getting left out. Thanks MIZZZZZZZ Di Biase, I don't need your shame. Feel it for yourself. I don't feel it. AND I have Indian blood in me and DO NOT feel your shame. Especially when it comes from a typical liberal whiner.
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