History is visible throughout Savannah, but countless unseen relics remain buried deep beneath the Hostess City.

In an effort to protect these undiscovered artifacts, city of Savannah officials are hosting a public forum Thursday evening at the Coastal Georgia Center to discuss the possible creation of a municipal archaeology ordinance. Such legislation could establish preservation protocols when relics are discovered during development or other activities that involve excavation.

Several local leaders attempted to establish an archaeology ordinance in recent years, particularly as Savannah experiences an ongoing development boom that has resulted in numerous artifacts being inadvertently unearthed by construction crews. Such finds range from pottery shards to graves, but Savannah currently has no statute mandating how these relics are chronicled or preserved.

“Since the early 1970s, the city has developed and approved ordinances to protect the National Historic Landmark District, as well as other locally designated historic districts, during development. Yet, one feature not included in any of these regulations is an archaeology ordinance,” stated a press release issued by city of Savannah Public Communications Director Nick Zoller.

“Through the creation of such an ordinance, the community will be better able to recognize our archaeological resources, as well as understand and celebrate our community’s unique and diverse history,” the press release continues.