The question of Rassawek’s fate ends the year — the decade — with a pair of actions that raise the stakes.
The fundamental question: Will Rassawek, considered the historic site of the Monacan headquarters, be preserved; or will it be used for a planned water intake and pump station that will help supply water from the James River to the Zion Crossroads development area of Louisa and Fluvanna counties?
One of those actions is over a point of law, the other is more far-reaching: The Monacans say that an independent investigation is needed to determine if the permitting process for the project has been fairly pursued. And they have a point.
We’ve said it before: If the site can be saved, it should be saved.
Rassawek — rechristened Point of Forks on modern maps — is the most important site for the Monacan tribe. Artifacts have been found there; its supporters believe protecting the site could save traces of the historic town and any graves the area might contain.
And haven’t we reached a more enlightened level in our understanding in which we believe that minority history should be recognized — not just the accomplishments of the great and powerful?
But the preservation effort comes a little late. A spokeswoman for the tribe has said that they did not want to tip their hand too soon, revealing the location of Rassawek to relic hunters and endangering existing remains, until they had exhausted all other options. That now leaves little time to preserve the site.
Read the entire article at Daily Progress.