Archaeologist: Headstone probably dumped

FLORENCE -- An archaeologist with the state Department of Transportation explored an area around the Patton Island bridge corridor Wednesday, one day after workers uncovered an old headstone while clearing brush.

The archaeologist, Bill Turner, later determined that the headstone had likely been dumped there along with other material that was used to make grave markers and headstones.

Clearing work was halted Tuesday after workers found a headstone bearing the name of Sidney F. Tate and the dates 1857-1921.

Research conducted by the transportation department and the state Department of Public Health's Vital Records Division revealed that Tate was buried in Florence Cemetery.

The research also revealed that the dates on the marker were incorrect.

The dates on the bronze marker in Florence Cemetery indicate Tate was born in 1854 and died in 1920.

Nevertheless, transportation officials asked Turner to come and investigate.

Transportation spokesman Tony Harris said Turner conducted an extensive review of the site before reaching his conclusion.

Mark Dale, an engineer with the state transportation office in Tuscumbia, said the area where the headstone was found is an old chert pit.

The site is just south of Florence Boulevard near Avondale Road, where contractors are constructing an overpass for the Patton Island bridge north corridor.

From its appearance, the area looks to have been a dumping ground for tires, metal fence poles, chunks of concrete, logs, tree stumps and brush.

There was also Tate's old headstone and several blank pieces of stone used to make grave markers.

"Usually you find these things two years earlier," Turner said, referring to environmental assessments of highway corridors for cultural, environmental and historical sites.

Harris said Turner's research indicates that there is no cemetery in the area.

"He feels comfortable saying there is not a grave in that location," Harris said.

Harris said it appears that the stone found at the construction site was discarded, because it contained inaccurate information.

He said contractors have been given permission to resume their clearing operations in the area.

The marker was found on the alignment of a new section of Alabama 133 that will extend the highway from Huntsville Road to Helton Drive.

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.