By Sarah Tate
Jan 15, 2021
Archeologists found a host of ancient artifacts while preparing to clear land for the Interstate 540 project in Raleigh, including jewelry that dates back about 10,000 years.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation sent its archeology unit to the area to search for any artifacts that may remain ahead of the last expansion of the Triangle Expressway. Unit leader
Matt Wilkerson was surprised to find more than 155 sites with the ancient items.
The unit collaborated with other archeologists to search for artifacts and document the work, including
Susan Bamann with Commonwealth Heritage Group. Bamann said a piece of personal adornment was one of the group s most exciting finds, with the broken and previously polished stone about 10,000 years old.
The scientists found something significant. As a result of the survey for this entire corridor, we identified, I believe, it s over 155 sites, said Matt Wilkerson who heads up the NCDOT s archeology unit.
Anytime NCDOT plans to build a road, federal law requires that it documents historic or even prehistoric sites in the construction corridor. NCDOT takes its stewardship responsibility very seriously, Wilkerson told ABC11.
He said that is why NCDOT formed the archeology unit more than 30 years ago, deciding it would be the most efficient way to handle that responsibility.
In the case of the Triangle Expressway, which will complete the 540 outer loop around Raleigh, most of the sites that archeologists found were not in the direct path of the asphalt.
Teens across the country waiting anxiously to get their driverâs licenses were disappointed when most state motor vehicle departments suspended road testing for weeks â and sometimes for months â after the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March.
While many states have since returned to road testing, several others have opted to waive that requirement and allow teens to get their license anyway, at least for a time.
Thatâs only fair, state officials say. The teens typically have completed many hours of classroom instruction and supervised driving time. They need a license to get to jobs and help their families by running errands. In some states, new drivers ages 18 and over also can get waivers. The biggest impact, though, is on teenagers, since among new drivers, they take most of the road tests.