An Archeological survey of the shoulderbone tract, Hancock County, Georgia

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AN ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE SHOULDERBONE TRACT,
HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA

Thomas J. Pluckhahn

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Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Environment/Location Atlanta, Georgia
OCCASIONAL PAPERS IN CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT #10 1997

Georgia Department of Transportation Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management
The Georgia Department of Transportation's (DOT) Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management series consists of archaeological research sponsored by the Georgia DOT. These reports have been produced by Georgia DOT in-house archaeological staff and by archaeological consultants under contract with the Georgia DOT. Each report within the series presents information about specific archaeological sites considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places that would be affected by transportation projects.
Each report addresses research questions included in the Scope of Work for each project and the conclusions and interpretations contained therein reflect the theoretical orientation, background, and assorted biases of the authors. Each manuscript has been prepared as a result of a contract with Georgia DOT. The reports are distributed by the Office of Environment/Location, Georgia Department of Transportation.
For a copy of any or all of the reports, please indicate the specific report; there may be a minimal charge for copying if the report is out of print.
Georgia Department of Transportation Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management
No.1 - Archaeological Investigations at 9CK(DOT) 7, Cherokee County, Georgia; by WilliamR. Bowen (1982).
No.2 - Cagle Site Report: Archaic and Early Woodland Period Manifestations in the North Georgia Piedmont; by Morgan R. Crook, Jr. (1984).
No.3 - Lowe Site Report: A Contribution to Archaeology of the Georgia Coastal Plain; by Morgan R. Crook, Jr. (1987).
No.4 - Rush: An Early Woodland Period Site in Northwest Georgia; by W. Dean Wood and R. Jerald Ledbetter (1990).
No.5 - A Few Visits in Prehistory: Data Recovery at 9RH18, Randolph County, Georgia; by Christopher T. Espenshade (1993).
No.6 - The Pig Pen Site: Archeological Investigations at 9RI158, Richmond County, Georgia; by R. Jerald Ledbetter (1988).
No.7 - Data Recovery at Lovers Lane, Phinizy Swamp and the Old Dike Sites, Bobby Jones Expressway Extension Corridor, Augusta, Georgia; by Daniel T. Elliott, R. Jerald Ledbetter, and Elizabeth A. Gordon (1994).
No.8 - The Victory Drive Site, 9ME50, Muscogee County, Georgia; by R. Jerald Ledbetter (1997).
No.9 - The Bull Creek Site, 9MEl, Muscogee County, Georgia, by R. Jerald Ledbetter (1997).
No. 10 - An Archeological Survey ofthe Shoulderbone Tract, Hancock County, Georgia; by Thomas J. Pluckhahn (1997).
Cover illustration: Reproduction of C. C. Jones' (1873) Plan Map of the Shoulderbone Mounds Site.

PREFACE
The passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991 required states to set aside at least ten percent of Federal funds for transportation enhancement projects. In particular, the Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) provision of ISTEA provides the opportunity to fund a range ofnon-traditional projects, including historic preservation and conservation activities with a direct relationship to the intermodal transportation system. Within the state of Georgia, these projects range from parkways and bikeways to restoration of historic railroad depots, lighthouses, and covered bridges and involve a variety of sponsors, including cities, counties, and preservation groups.
One category of projects eligible for Transportation Enhancement funds is archaeological planning and research. This report, generated and published through the use of TEA funds, details the archaeological survey conducted by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., for Hancock County. A county park which incorporates the Shoulderbone site, a prehistoric mound
and village complex, will be funded by an ISTEA grant. In compliance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the area of potential environmental effect for the proposed project was surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the national Register of Historic Places.
This project illustrates the investment by state transportation agencies, the Federal government (Federal Highway Administration), and counties in respecting and preserving the past in building for the future. The Georgia Department of Transportation is pleased to publish this archaeological survey report as the tenth in its Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management Series.
Elizabeth C. Shirk Staff Archeologist Georgia Department of Transportation Atlanta, Georgia August, 1997

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MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. recently completed an archeological survey of an 1130 acre tract in northeastern Hancock County, Georgia that encompasses the Shoulderbone site, a Mississippian period (A.D. 1000-1540) mound and village complex. The work was conducted for Hancock County (through the engineering firm of Precision Planning, Inc.), and was completed in anticipation of the creation of a county park that will incorporate the Shoulderbone Mounds and surrounding area. The park is being funded by an Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act (ISTEA) grant, an ongoing federal program to preserve and enhance archeological and historical resources along transportation corridors.
Fieldwork was conducted over the course of eight non-consecutive days from January 6-31, 1997. One of the principal aims of the project was to define the limits of the Shoulderbone Mounds site (9HK1). This was accomplished by expanding the grid of post hole tests that had been initiated on the site by Williams (1990b). The boundaries of the site were flagged with hot pink surveyors tape so that it can be fenced off to protect it from further vandalism.
Most of the fieldwork, however, was devoted to an intensive archeological survey of the property. By examining exposed areas and excavating shovel tests in vegetated areas, we located a total of 72 previously unreported archeological sites (Table 1) and 21 artifact occurrences. Fifty-one of these sites have prehistoric components, and more than half of these (N = 35) produced pottery that can be dated to the Woodland or Mississippian periods. Most of these pottery producing sites are likely associated with one or more of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. The 16 remaining prehistoric sites contained only lithics, and likely date to the Archaic period.
Only 14 of the sites in the survey area produced historic artifacts. In many cases, these historic components consist only of isolated scatters of debris. However, the remains of a few houses were identified. In addition, we located two saw mills and one possible still.
Eighteen of the sites contain one or more rock features that are difficult to associate with any particular period with certainty. Most of these features consist of small rock piles that were likely created as the land was cleared for cultivation in the nineteenth century. However, one larger rock mound resembles the type of stone construction that has sometimes proven to contain prehistoric burials (Gresham 1990).
Based on the survey data, we are recommending that 25 of the sites are potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places (Table 1). Most of these (N =21) are prehistoric artifact scatters that are likely related to the Shoulderbone site occupations, and which may represent farmsteads or, in the case of one or two of the larger sites, small villages. We further recommend that these 21 sites should be incorporated with the Shoulderbone Mound into a National Register district (which we will refer to as the Shoulderbone Archeological District).
iii

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?J )\, 9HK152 Gee. C-3 . Occ. B-7
~~~~:=~:;

Occ. C-4 ..( 9HK155

:::::::.

9HK174

~9HK175
~Occ.C-5

~9HK120

-.../] . . 9HK121

'-.:.- Occ. A-3

~ 9HK156

~

9HK158
(Occ. B-5

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~"-- ~:-Z~~tfft~i-i:~t~j~r-;~4f~~t~fr~r; .....~.-.J ~\,

9HK132 9HK129

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1 (..11 9HK134 2:S~(J.-rl~JT7I7C?:3'\ J _ _~/I/

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.

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9HK136 9HK137

rr ~, =S~~Z~~s:~q~~~~

, (9HK138

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Figure 1. Location of Cultural Resources in Project Area.

iv

9HK114
9HK115 9HK 11 6 9HK 11 7 9HK118 9HK119 9HKl20 9HKl21 9HK122 9HK123 9HK124 9HK125 9HKl26
9HK127 9HK128 9HK129 9HK130
9HK131

A-I
A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7 A-8 A-9 A-lO A-11 A-12 A-13
A-14 A-15 A-16 A-17
A-18

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle Mississippian (Savannah) Late Mississippian (Lamar)

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

rock pile

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

rock piles
historic house site prehistoric artifact scatter

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)
late nineteenth/early twentieth century Middle Archaic
Woodland or Mississippian

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle Mississippian (Savannah) Late Mississippian (Lamar)

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

potentially eligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible
potentially eligible

9HK132

A-19

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle Mississippian (Savannah)

ineligible

9HK133

A-20

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK134

A-21

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK135

A-22

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK136

A-23

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK137

A-24

prehistoric artifact scatter historic artifact scatter

Late (Lamar) Mississippian nineteenth century

ineligible

9HK138

A-25

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK139

A-26

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

.<.:.:..

9HKl40

A-27

historic artifact scatter

isolated prehistoric lithic

late nineteenth/early twentieth century unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK141

A-28

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK142

A-29

prehistoric lithic scatter isolated historic ceramic

unidentified prehistoric lithic late nineteenth/early twentieth century

ineligible

9HKl43

B-1

prehistoric lithic scatter

Late Archaic

ineligible

9HK144

B-2

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

ineligible

9HKl45

B-3

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

ineligible

9HK146

B-4

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

ineligible

9HK147

B-5

rock piles

prehistoric lithic scatter

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic) Late Archaic

potentially eligible

9HKl48

B-6

rock piles

isolated prehistoric lithic

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic) unidentified prehistoric lithic

potentially eligible

9HKl49

B-7

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Archaic

probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK150

B-8

prehistoric artifact scatter

rock piles

Late (Lamar) Mississippian unknown (probably nineteenth century)

potentially eligible

9HK151

B-9

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK152

B-lO

prehistoric artifact scatter

Woodland or Mississippian

ineligible

9HK153

B-ll

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century)

potentially eligible

9HK154

B-12

rock piles and rock mound

unknown

potentially eligible

9HK155

B-13

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle (Savannah) Mississippian Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

.<..:.

9HK156

B-14

prehistoric artifact scatter historic artifact scatter

Middle (Savannah) Mississippian late nineteenth/early twentieth century

potentially eligible

9HK157

B-15

prehistoric artifact scatter

Woodland or Mississippian

ineligible

9HK158

B-16

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK159

B-17

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK160

B-18

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK161

B-19

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK162 9HK163

B-20 B-21

prehistoric artifact scatter historic artifact scatter

.. Late (Lamar) Mississippian
late nineteenth/early twentieth century

potentially eligible ineligible

9HK164

B-22

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

potentially eligible

9HK165

B-23

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

ineligible

9HK166

B-24

historic saw mill

early to middle twentieth century

ineligible

9HK167

C-l

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

In addition to these prehistoric artifact scatters, we recommend that several of the sites containing rock features are potentially eligible for the National Register. Although we assume that most of the rock features in the project area are the result of historic land clearing activities, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated at present. The six sites containing rock piles which we have recommended as potentially eligible to the National Register represent a selection of the better preserved and most substantial rock features from the project area. Two of these sites also contain significant prehistoric artifact deposits and could be recommended as part of the proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District. The other four should be recommended as individual properties.
The remaining 52 sites and all of the artifact occurrences are recommended ineligible to the National Register. While the discovery of these cultural resources has added important lmowledge to our history of the area, they have little potential for providing additional infonnation due to the sparsity of the deposits, the degree of disturbance, or (in the case of historic sites) because they are redundant with archival sources.
We recommend that the flagged boundary of the Shoulderbone site should be more pennanently marked in the next few months, before the flagging tape becomes brittle and difficult to discern. It is our understanding that although the final plans have not been completed, there will be minimal development on the Shoulderbone tract. Nevertheless, any plans for roads or other infrastructure should be designed to avoid sites that have been recommended potentially eligible for the National Register. Any such sites that cannot be preserved from development must be archeologically tested.
ix

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

i

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

,

iii

LIST OF FIGURES

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. xiii

LIST OF TABLES

xv

INTRODUCTION

1

Environmental Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Cultural Setting .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

METHODS

15

Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Field Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Laboratory Methods

18

Evaluation Methods

21

INVESTIGATION OF THE

SHOULDERBONE SITE (9HKl)

25

History of the Shoulderbone Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Delineation of the Shoulderbone Site

32

SURVEY RESULTS

35

Artifact Occurrences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 148

SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE PROJECT AREA

149

Archaic and Unidentified Lithic Components

150

Rock Pile Components

151

Historic Period Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 151

Woodland Period Components

155

Mississippian Period Components

155

RECOMMENDATIONS

165

Archeological Resources in the Shoulderbone Tract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 165

Development of the Shoulderbone Tract

166

REFERENCES CITED

169

xi

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Location of Cultural Resources in Project Area.

ii

Figure 2. Location of the Project Area. .

2

Figure 3. View of a Large Erosional Gully in the Project Area.

3

Figure 4. View of a Cleacut Pine Forest in the Project Area. .

4

Figure 5. View of Whitten Creek and Adjacent Hardwood BottorrJand.

4

Figure 6. Mississippian Mound Centers in the Oconee Valley. .

10

Figure 7. Land Use and Shovel Test Locations in the Survey Tract

17

Figure 8. View to the Southwest of Mound B on the Shoulderbone Site.

. . . . . 26

Figure 9. View to the Northeast of the Shoulderbone Site

26

Figure 10. C.C. Jones' lllustration of the Shoulderbone Mounds Site. .

27

Figure 11. Reproduction of Williams' (1990b:26) Map of the Shoulderbone Site. .

30

Figure 12. Reproduction of the 1951 USDA Aerial Photograph

31

Figure 13. Excavation of a Posthole Test on the Shoulderbone Site

32

Figure 14. Map of the Shoulderbone Site Showing Boundaries Based on Posthole Tests

Excavated During Survey and Testing

33

Figure 15. Locations of Sites and Occurrences in the Shoulderbone Tract. .

36

Figure 16. View to the Southwest of the Excavation of Shovel Test 10 on the Whitten Creek

Terrace Site (9HKI14)

38

Figure 17. Selected Artifacts from the Whitten Creek Terrace Site (9HK114). .

39

Figure 18. View to the West of the Excavation of Shovel Test 1 on Site 9HK115

43

Figure 19. View to the South of Shovel Test 1 on 9HK119

49

Figure 20. View to the South of Site 9HK122. .

54

Figure 21. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK122. .

55

Figure 22. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK126. .

60

Figure 23. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK127. .

62

Figure 24. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK127. .

63

Figure 25. View to the South of Site 9HK130. .

67

Figure 26. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK130. .

68

Figure 27. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK131. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Figure 28. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK131.

70

Figure 29. Selected Sherds from Site 9HK136. .

75

Figure 30. View to the South of Site 9HK136. .

76

Figure 31. Site 9HK139. .

80

Figure 32. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK143. .

85

Figure 33. PP/K from Site 9HK147

89

Figure 34. View to the North of Site 9HK147. .

90

Figure 35. Quartz Biface from Site 9HK148. .

91

Figure 36. View to the East of Site 9HK148. .

92

Figure 37. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK149.

94

Figure 38. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK150. .

95

Figure 39. View to the Northwest of the Road Intersection on Site 9HK150. .

96

Figure 40. View to the Southwest of Site 9HK153. .

101

Figure 41. View to the North of the Rock Mound on Site 9HK154

103

Figure 42. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK155.

104

xiii

Figure 43. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK155 from Shovel Test 3. .

105

Figure 44. Savannah Complicated Stamped Sherd from Shovel Test 14 on Site 9HK156. 106

Figure 45. View to the North of Site 9HK156 from Shovel Test 6. .

107

Figure 46. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK157.

. . . .. 109

Figure 47. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK158. "

112

Figure 48. View to the West of Site 9HK161 from ST 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 116

Figure 49. Lamar Incised Sherd from ST 2 on 9HK162.

117

Figure 50. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK162. .

118

Figure 51. View to the West of Site 9HK164 from Shovel Test 3

121

Figure 52. Quartz PPIK Fragment from the Surface of 9HK167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 124

Figure 53. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 128

Figure 54. Late Archaic PP/K Fragments from the Surface of Site 9HK171. .

129

Figure 55. View to the West-Southwest of Site 9HK174

134

Figure 56. View to the South of Site 9HK181.

142

Figure 57. View to the North of Site 9HK185. .

148

Figure 58. Location of Archaic and Unidentified Prehistoric Lithic Components in the

Project Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 152

Figure 59. Location of Rock Pile Components in the Project Area.

153

Figure 60. Location of Historic Period Components in the Project Area. . . . . . . . . . .. 154

Figure 61. Location of Mississippian Period Components in the Project Area.

156

Figure 62. Frequency of Occurrence of Ceramic Decorative Categories on Sites in the

Project Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 159

Figure 63. Ceramic Decorative Categories as Percentage of Total Identifiable Sherds .. 159

Figure 64. Frequency of Occurrence of Various Rim Treatments on Sites in the

Project Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 160

Figure 65. Rim Treatments as a Percentage of Total Rims from the Project Area. .... 160

xiv
,/

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Management Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. III

Table 2. Cultural Chronology of the North-Central Georgia Piedmont. .

6

Table 3. Phases, Dates, and Ceramic Attributes for the Mississippian Period in the Oconee

River Valley

9

Table 4. Artifact Occurrences.

149

Table 5. Number and Frequency of Various Component Types or Periods in the

Shoulderbone Tract

150

Table 7. Tentative Phase Designations for Selected Mississippian Components.

161

Table 8. Number and Frequency of Various Mississippian Component Phases in the

Shoulderbone Tract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 161

xv

INTRODUCTION
Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. recently completed an archeological survey of a 457 ha (1130 ac) tract in northeastern Hancock County, Georgia (Figure 2). The work was conducted for Hancock County, through the engineering firm of Precision Planning, Inc. The tract is located to the north of State Road 77, approximately 1-2 Ian west of its intersection with State Road 15. The survey area includes the Shoulderbone site, a Mississippian period (A.D. 1000-1540) mound and village complex.
Hancock County and their consulting engineers initiated the survey in the interest of delineating the boundaries of the Shoulderbone site, and of identifying and preserving any other significant cultural resources that are present in the tract. The survey was conducted as partial fulfillment of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended. Section 106 of the NHPA requires that all federal agencies or entities funded, licensed or regulated by federal agencies "take into account all historic properties eligible to the National Register of Historic Places that may be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking." Surveying, or taking an inventory of historic properties within the project area represents the first step in complying with this law. The goals of the survey were to locate, describe, and, to the extent possible, evaluate the significance of (in terms of their eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places) all archeological sites within the project area. Potential effects to sites could not be assessed because development plans have not been formalized.
A standard pedestrian survey, combining visual inspection of exposed ground surface and intensive shovel testing in vegetated areas, was conducted by a six-person survey team over the course of eight non-consecutive field days from January 6 through 31, 1997. The author served as Field Director on the project. He was assisted in the field by John Brightbill, Michelle Elmore, Dave Rauppius, Ron Schoettmer, and Maggie Wyman.
Environmental Setting
The project area lies in the Washington Slope district of the Piedmont physiographic province (Hodler and Schretter 1986: 17). The topography of this area is characterized by broad, shallow valleys divided by gentle slopes. Overall elevations range from 400 to 700 ft ams!.
Most of the project area is drained by Whitten Creek, a small tributary of Shoulderbone Creek. However, a small area in the northwestern comer of the survey area drains into Lundy Creek, another tributary of Shoulderbone Creek. Shoulderbone Creek joins the Oconee River approximately 13 km to the southwest of the project area, just north of Lake Sinclair.
Geologically, the project area is underlain by crystalline rock, predominately granite and granitic gneiss. Crystalline quartz is available on the surface in many areas throughout the region, and is abundant in the survey tract itself. Most of the lithic debris tm sites in the project area is made from this local quartz. Ledbetter et al. (1981:3) have located modest chert outcrops and quarries in Oconee and Oglethorpe Counties. However, most of the chert
1

GEORGIA

0'C::::=======20 Ian Figure 2. Location of the Project Area.

N
A
2

that was found on sites in the project area is higher quality material from sources to the south in the Coastal Plain.
Originally, the soils in the Piedmont consisted of fertile, brown loams. However, more than 150 years of poor management have led to serious erosion. Large erosional gullies have formed in some portions of the project area, including one estimated to be at least 3m long and about 20 m wide (Figure 3).
Although a modem soil survey has yet to be published for Hancock County, the soils are generally comparable to those of surrounding counties. Davidson, and Cecil-Vance association soils are the predominate soil types on the gently sloping uplands in the region (Payne 1976). Field observation of soils in the project area suggested that most of the landforms to the north of Whitten Creek are severely eroded. Soil profiles in this area are typically shallow, consisting of a red clay loam or sandy clay loam with a thin layer of humus or plowzone. Somewhat deeper and sandier topsoil layers remain on the wooded ridges to the south of Whitten Creek.
The natural vegetation in the Piedmont consists of an oak-hickory-climax forest in the uplands, with an oak-hickory post-climax forest in the lower elevations (Wharton 1978:153). Dogwood and sourwood are characteristic in the understory. Secondary forests dominated by pine now cover most of the upland areas. Many of the upland pine forests in the project area have recently been clearcut and replanted (Figure 4). Hardwoods thrive mainly in the lower elevations along Whitten Creek and its tributaries (Figure 5), although a large stand of oak and hickories survives in the uplands in the northern portion of the survey tract.
Figure 3. View of a Large Erosional Gully in the Project Area.
3

Figure 4. View of a Cleacut Pine Forest in the Project Area.
Figure 5. View of Whitten Creek and Adjacent Hardwood Bottomland.
4

Cultural Setting
The cultural context on which the present study is based comes from previous research in the Oconee River Valley, one of the most thoroughly investigated areas in the Southeast. Much of the data is based on the survey and excavation associated with the construction of the Wallace Reservoir (now known as Lake Oconee) (Elliott 1981b; Gresham 1987; Hally and Rudolph 1986; O'Steen 1983; Shapiro 1983; Williams 1986; Wood 1981). More general information on broad cultural traditions and environmental conditions can be found in Caldwell (1952, 1958), Coe (1964), Griffin (1952), Wauchope (1966), and Williams (1977).
A series of University of Georgia field schools at a number of mound sites in the Oconee Valley have firmly established a Mississippian artifact chronology for the region. Williams has summarized this research in a series of individual site reports (Williams 1988, 1990a, 1990b; Williams and Shapiro 1990). In addition, Pennsylvania State University has conducted a series of archeological field schools at upland Mississippian sites on the western side of the Oconee River Valley in Morgan and Putnam Counties (Hatch 1995).
Additional information on prehistoric and historic settlement in the Oconee Valley is provided by a number of surveys in the Oconee National Forest. Wynn (1982) provides a specific summary of the history and prehistory of this area. Other, more focused cultural resources surveys in the Oconee Forest include Elliott (1989), Gresham (1987), King (1992), Price and Wood (1990), Smith and Wood (1987), and Webb (1985, 1986, 1987).
The following section briefly summarizes the stages of cultural development that are recognized by Southeastern archeologists and historians. Refer to Table 2 for a summary of this sequence.
The Paleoindian Period (ca 10,000 - 8,000 B.C.)
The initial occupation of the Georgia Piedmont came approximately 12,000 years ago. Paleoindians entered North America from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait when the sea level was lower. The vegetation of the Southeast was changing at this time, from a boreal forest dominated by conifers to an oak-hickory forest. Paleoindians foraged for nuts, berries, and other wild plants, and hunted a variety of animals, including mastodon and other Pleistocene megafauna (Sheehan et al. 1982:4).
Paleoindian tool assemblages from Piedmont Georgia are characterized by fluted and non-fluted lanceolate projectile points and unifacial scrapers. Fluting appears to occur with less frequency through time (Anderson et al. 1990). Dalton projectile points are diagnostic of the final phase of the Paleoindian period or transitional Paleo-Indian/Early Archaic period (8500 - 7900 B.C.; Goodyear 1982).
Few Paleoindian components in Georgia have been excavated. Nearly all the information on variability and distribution of point types, characteristics, and raw materials in
5

Table 2. Cultural Chronology of the North-Central Georgia Piedmont.

Period Paleoindian

Date 12,000 B.c.

Horizon/Phase
Clovis Simpson Dalton

Early Archaic

7800 B.C.

Big Sandy/Taylor Kirk/Palmer LeCroy

Middle Archaic

5800 B.C.

Stanly Morrow Mountain Halifax Guilford

Late Archaic

3500 B.C.

Savannah River Stallings Island

Early Woodland

800 B.C.

Kellog

Middle Woodland

200 B.c.

Cartersville Swift Creek

Late Woodland

600 A.D.

Napier

Mississippian

900 A.D.

Woodstock Etowah Wilbanks/Savannah Lamar

Protohistoric

1540 A.D.

Lamar (Bell Phase)

6

Georgia comes from surface finds (Anderson et al. 1990). Early Paleoindian occupation in the Middle Oconee drainage is thought to be concentrated along the ridges and shoals (O'Steen 1983; Anderson et al. 1990).
The Archaic Period (8000 - 1000 B. C.)
The Indians of the Archaic Period developed strategies to adapt to the emerging environmental conditions of the Holocene. Seasonal changes became more pronounced, with a general trend towards a warmer and wetter climate. The northern boreal forests retreated and were replaced by a more modem deciduous floral community. As the large Pleistocene mammals disappeared, people diversified their subsistence base to include greater numbers of smaller game and an increasing variety of plants.
Settlement and social organization during the Archaic period was still based on a hunter-gatherer economy. Small bands of people followed seasonal rounds that centered on plant harvesting and animal hunting. Most of the sites from the period are small, reflecting relatively brief occupations. Artifacts found at these small sites are usually associated with a limited number of activities, such as tool maintenance, hunting, or animal processing. However, people did gather in larger settlements at certain times of the year for trade and social activities. These base camps are generally located along major streams at focal points within the territory.
Early Archaic (8000-6000 B.C.) sites are located both along the main channel of the Oconee River and in the adjacent uplands (O'Steen 1983:106). Comer notched and side notched points, hafted end scrapers, and flaked stone adzes are characteristic of this period. Higher quality lithic materials, particularly chert, were preferred for stone tool production. Diagnostic projectile points of this period include the Hardaway, Dalton, Palmer, Kirk, and Big Sandy types (Coe 1964; Wauchope 1966). Large hafted Edgefield Scrapers are also diagnostic Early Archaic tools (Michie 1972).
The Middle Archaic period (6000-4000 B.C.) coincides with a warm, dry interval lasting nearly 2000 years. Perhaps in response to this drier climate, people became more mobile, depending less on specialized technologies, and exploiting a greater range of food sources. Morrow Mountain and Guilford projectile points are diagnostic of this time period (Coe 1964). Local lithic sources were more commonly used during the Middle Archaic. Tools associated with plant processing (such as manos, metates, and other ground stone tools) also become more common in Middle Archaic assemblages, suggesting that there was an increased emphasis on plant resources during the period.
With the Late Archaic (4000-1000 B.C.), there is evidence of increased sedentism, as well as the development of interregional trade. The settlement and economic system appears to have consisted of centrally located base camps surrounded by specialized, extractive sites. Metavolcanic rock is commonly found on Late Archaic sites in the Piedmont. The diagnostic artifacts of this period include soapstone vessels and perforated soapstone disks, which were presumably used for indirect cooking.
7

People along the Savannah River were producing ceramics tempered with bits of fiber, known archeologically as the Stallings Island series, by approximately 2000 B.C. Punctations and a variety of other surface treatments are common on these early fiber tempered wares. Large stemmed points such as the Savannah River type (Coe 1964) mark the early portion of the Late Archaic. These appear to be gradually replaced by smaller stemmed varieties, such as the Otarre and Paris Island types.
The Woodland Period (1000 B.C - A.D 1000)
During the Woodland period ceramic technology became increasingly refined, and pottery use became more extensive. Settlement became more sedentary during the Woodland period, and sites tended to be located on the terraces of major rivers and smaller streams. The Indians of the Southeast began cultivating native plants such as chenopodium, sunflower, and amaranth. Com may have been introduced from Mexico at some point during the Woodland period, but did not gain importance as a food source. The appearance of burial mounds and exotic artifacts and materials reflects the growing importance of ceremonialism.
The Early Woodland period (1000-100 B.C.) represents a transition from the Archaic, and is characterized by Dunlap Fabric Marked ceramics and medium-sized triangular (Badin or Yadkin) projectile points. Ceramics of the Cartersville series, including check and simple stamped pottery, developed later in the Early Woodland period. Stone-lined cooking pits, storage pits, and flexed burials also appear during this period.
The Middle Woodland period (100 B.C.- A.D. 500) in Georgia is marked by the influences of Hopewellian CUlture, which originated in the Ohio River Valley. Marked social stratification is indicated by large stone and earthen mounds that often contain the elaborately furnished burials of high-ranking individuals. The ceramic assemblage of the Middle Woodland period includes Cartersville Simple Stamped and Check Stamped wares. Elaborately decorated Swift Creek Complicated Stamped pottery appears later in the period. Medium sized triangular points are the dominant stone tool type, but expanded stem varieties are also common (Coe 1964). Diagnostic point types include Yadkin, Tallahassee, and Bakers Creek.
During the Late Woodland period (A.D. 500-1000), Hopewellian influence seems to fade and is replaced by cultural influences from the southern coastal areas. Swift Creek Complicated Stamped ceramics spread from the south. These are gradually replaced by Napier pottery. Late in the period, a number of distinct ceramic traditions developed across different portions of the Piedmont. Woodstock Complicated Stamped pottery appears to be most common in the upper Piedmont and mountain areas (Pluckhahn 1994), while Vining Simple Stamped ceramics cover most of the lower Piedmont (Elliott 1989). Both of these types continue into the subsequent Mississippian period.
The Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000 - 1540)
The Mississippian period marks the pinnacle of prehistoric social and political complexity in the Southeast. Large population centers emerged in many of the major river
8

valleys of the Georgia Piedmont during this period. A stratified society based on lineage or clan distinctions developed, with the power of the village or tribal chief depending on the control of agricultural production. Villages were sometimes fortified by palisades and moats to protect the inhabitants from attacks by rival, neighboring groups. Flat-topped temple mounds appear as manifestations of an emerging, shared ideology and regional trade network known archeologically as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex.
The Oconee River Valley contains five principal Mississippian mound complexes (Figure 6). One of these, the Dyar Mound, was investigated prior to the construction of Lake Oconee (Smith 1981). The four remaining mound sites, including the Shoulderbone site within the project area, have been tested by researchers at the University of Georgia and the LAMAR Institute. These excavations have revealed that the mounds were alternately occupied and abandoned at different times throughout the Mississippian period.
The excavations at these mound centers, as well as at other non-mound occupations throughout the region, have allowed for the gradual refinement of the Mississippian period chronology for the Oconee Valley. Based on shifting mound occupations and fme distinctions in ceramic decorations, researchers have been able to separate the period into distinct phases as short as 50-75 years (Table 3).

Table 3. Phases, Dates, and Ceramic Attributes for the Mississippian Period in the Oconee River Valley (after Williams and Shapiro 1990).

Etowah

Armor

A.D. 1000-1100

StiIlhouse A.D. 1100-1250

ladder-based diamond predominates on Etowah Complicated Stamped pottery red filmin is absent

Savannah Lamar

Scull Shoals

A.D. 1250-1375

filfot cross, diamond, and circle motifs are common on curvilinear stamped pottery check and simple stamping, cord marking, burnishing, and cob marking are present
rims are icall lain

Duvall

A.D. 1375-1450

folded, punctated and narrow pinched rims are common Morgan Incised is present Lamar Incised is absent lain otte is common

Iron Horse A.D. 1450-1520

Lamar Bold Incised (with 2-4 lines) is present Morgan Incised is present
medium width folded rims are present com licated starn in is rare

Dyar

A.D. 1520-1580

complicated stamping is common wide folded and pinched rims are present
Lamar Bold Incised is common

Bell

A.D. 1580-1670

complicated stamping is rare fine multiple line incising is present
T-shaped rims are present ver wide folded and inched rims are resent

9

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Figure 6. Mississippian Mound Centers in the Oconee Valley. 10

The first distinctly Mississippian ceramic tradition in the Oconee Valley and across most of the Piedmont is Etowah Complicated Stamped. In the Oconee River valley, Etowah ceramics are divided into two phases. The Armor phase is the earliest of these, dating between A.D. 1000 and 1100 (Williams and Shapiro 1990). Ceramic characteristics of this phase include almost equal frequencies of plain and complicated stamped pottery, and the predominance of the ladder-base diamond motif. The Stillhouse phase dates between A.D. 1100 and 1250, and is recognized by the disappearance of the ladder-base diamond motif, the rise in frequency of curvilinear motifs, and the appearance of check stamping, red filming and cob marking as minority surface treatments.
In comparison with those from later Mississippian periods, sites from both of these phases are relatively infrequent in the Oconee Valley. Less than thirty sites containing Etowah ceramics were located in the survey of the bottomland that was flooded for Lake Oconee (Elliot 1989). In addition, surveys have demonstrated that Etowah sites are infrequent in upland areas away from the floodplain (DePratter 1976; Elliot 1981b).
The Savannah period is the first Mississippian phase to be definitively associated with mound construction in the Oconee Valley. Based on the excavations at the Scull Shoals Mound complex in the Oconee National Forest north of Greensboro, Smith and Williams (1990) identify the Scull Shoals phase (A.D. 1250 to 1375) as the regional manifestation of the Savannah period in the northern Oconee Valley. Savannah period occupations have also been noted at the Shinholser Mound site south of Milledgeville (Williams 1990a). The Shoulderbone Mounds site appears to have been settled late in the period (Williams 1990b).
Ceramic markers of the Savannah include the predominance of curvilinear over rectilinear stamped motifs, the appearance of the filfot cross motif, the persistence of nested diamond motifs, and the presence of cord-marking, cob-marking, and red filming as minority types.
The Late Mississippian period (A.D. 1375 - 1540) is associated with the development of Lamar culture. Surface treatments on Lamar pottery include incising and complicated stamping. The rims on Lamar pots are often folded, and may also be pinched, noded, or punctated. The percentages of these decorations change through time, permitting the identification of a number of different ceramic phases.
The Early Lamar period in this region is divided into two subsets, the earliest of which is the Duvall phase (A.D. 1375 - 1450). Ceramics from this phase are characterized by the predominance of plain pottery, the presence of narrow folded rims; and the occurrence of Morgan Incised sherds (Smith 1981). Williams (1990b) suggests that the occupation of the Shoulderbone site may have peaked during the Duvall phase, at around A.D. 1400.
The second division in the Early Lamar period is defined as the Iron Horse phase (A.D. 1450-1520). Iron Horse assemblages are marked by a high percentage of bold incised ceramics, increased frequency of complicated stamping, and medium width folded and pinched rims. The Shoulderbone site continued to be occupied into the Iron Horse phase, but at reduced levels (Williams 1990b). However, it seems likely that a number of smaller sites that we identified in the surrounding area may date to this interval, given the occurrence of bold incising.
11

The Late Lamar period is also divided into two phases. The first of these, which is dated from A.D. 1520-1580, was defined at the Dyar Mound (Smith 1981), now submerged beneath the waters of Lake Oconee. Characteristics of the Dyar ceramic assemblage include incising with more frequent and finer lines, a greater frequency of complicated stamping, wide folded rims that are often pinched, and the absence of Morgan Incised. Williams (1990b) argues that the population of the Shoulderbone site declined dramatically during the Dyar phase, with the evidence for habitation at this time limited to a small area on and around MoundA.
The Bell phase (A.D. 1580-1670) marks the end of the Mississippian period in the Oconee Valley. Bell phase assemblages include wide folded and pinched rim sherds, occasional T-shaped rims, fine incising with up to 30 or more lines, and very little complicated stamping (Williams 1983). There is little evidence for Bell phase occupation at the Shoulderbone site (Williams 1990b). However, a slight presence in the surrounding area is indicated by the recovery of fine incised sherds from a few sites that were discovered on this survey.
The Historic Period (A.D. 1540 - Present)
European expeditions first explored the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions in the mid sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The first direct contact with the Mississippian chiefdoms in the Oconee River Valley was made by the Hernando de Soto expedition, which passed through the area in 1540 (Hudson 1989). DeSoto's route through the Valley is open to debate. Historical accounts indicate that the expedition passed through the town of Altamaha before reaching the political center of the province at the town of Ocute. DeSoto and his army then continued to the town of Cofaqui before exiting the Oconee Valley (Hudson et al. 1984). Based on its central position in the Valley, Hudson and his colleagues suggest that the Shoulderbone site may represent the town of Ocute. However, the relatively limited excavations at the site have failed to produce significant quantities of artifacts from the period in question (Williams 1990b). Williams (1990b:147) suggests instead that the Shoulderbone site could have been the town of Cofaqui, if it was visited by DeSoto at all. The debate is not likely to be settled without additional survey and excavation at Shoulderbone and other sites in the region.
The Spanish sought to strengthen their claims to the region by gaining the support of the Indians through economic and religious coercion. Fearing competition from the English to the north in South Carolina, the Spanish sent several military expeditions into the interior in the early seventeenth century (Smith 1992). However, by the late 1600s the English had gained control over the trade firearms and Indian slaves, and the Spanish were forced to move further south.
The period of initial European contact corresponds to the late Dyar and Bell phases in the Oconee River drainage. Immediately following the Bell phase, at around 1680, the population of the Valley plummeted. By 1700, however, Cherokee groups were known to be located in northeastern Georgia at the headwaters of the Savannah River. Apalachee,
12

Savannah, and Yuchi Indians were located to the south near present day Augusta, and the Ochese "Creek" Indians were on the Ocmulgee River near present Macon (Smith 1992).
The names and locations of tribal groups in Georgia were soon lost in their movement and disappearance. By 1750, only the Creek and Cherokee remained. The Cherokee occupied areas to the north in the mountains and foothills of the Appalachians, while the Creek lived in the lowland environments of the major streams, primarily near the Fall Line and in the Coastal Plain. Most of the Georgia Piedmont, including the Shoulderbone tract, was contested by both the Cherokee and Creek and for this reason was probably not densely populated by either group.
While historic documents from the period distinguish a number of different ethnic groups, these societies shared a very similar material culture. The ceramic tradition of the historic period Indians in the Oconee and Ocmulgee River drainages is known as Ocmulgee Fields, and includes brushed, plain, and incised pottery. Smith (1992:64) concludes that these traits spread east from Alabama in the late seventeenth century, as people fled Spanish domination and sought alliances with the English at Charleston.
The Piedmont was sparsely occupied by Muskogean-speaking Creek Indians until the late 1700s. It was not until the late eighteenth century that European settlement began moving inland from the coast. In 1786, the Creeks ceded their lands to the east of the Oconee River to the state of Georgia under the terms of the Treaty of Shoulderbone. This treaty was not signed at the mounds, but rather at the mouth of Shoulderbone Creek to the southwest (Williams 1990b: 1)
The newly acquired lands to the east of the Oconee River were distributed under the Headrights grant system. This system gave preference to veterans of the Revolutionary War, most of whom came from the Virginias and Carolinas seeking fresh farmland. The Creek Indians contested the ownership of the new land cessions, and often raided white settlers. Fortified houses, or block houses, were constructed in areas along the Oconee River to protect settlers from Indian attacks (Williams 1961).
There were few large slave owners in the Piedmont during the first few decades of settlement, and most of the agriculture in the region was subsistence oriented. Tobacco was the first crop of economic importance, but it was soon replaced by cotton. By 1820 cotton production, structured around the plantation system, had begun to shape the economy of the area. As the water powered textile milling industry developed, small landowners were bought out by commercially oriented producers. By 1849, the soils of the Piedmont were described as "worn out" from poor agricultural practices (White 1849:290). The population of Hancock County during this period was predominately black. Most of the residents of the area served as slave labor for the fields or mills.
The project area was spared much of the fighting associated with the Civil War until late 1864. Having left Atlanta in ruins, General Sherman continued his advance towards Savannah. Sherman's 14th Army Corps crossed Murder Creek and camped near Cedar Creek on their way to Milledgeville. During their march, federal troops lived well off of food and
13

supplies taken from farms along the way. Many homes and other buildings were burned by Federal troops passing through, and the area lay in economic ruin for several years.
Following the Civil War, a system of cash wages based on contracts between land owners and tenant farmers replaced the plantation slave system. Tenant farming continued until the second quarter of the twentieth century, when the Depression and the devastation of the boll weevil led many of the rural farm workers to seek work in the industries of the larger cities. A mass exodus from the rural areas of the Piedmont left many houses and farms abandoned. Many of the abandoned farms were purchased by the federal government in the late 1930s and 1940s, and eventually became part of the Oconee National Forest.
Today, the economy of Hancock and neighboring counties is predominantly agricultural, consisting largely of timber production and dairy, beef, and poultry farming. However, there has been an increase in industrial development in recent years, including mobile home manufacturing and some textile and clay production.
14

METHODS
Literature Review
In order to gather infonnation about previous archeological investigations, and to locate any known sites in or near the project area, the State Archeological Site Files at the University of Georgia in Athens were consulted prior to field work. Site File topographic maps of the project area, and Hancock County in general, were examined. In addition, previous archeological reports detailing survey and testing in the area were consulted for relevant infonnation regarding site types and settlement patterns for the region. Williams (l990b) report on his previous research at the Shoulderbone site was especially pertinent.
Aerial photographs taken by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service and curated at the University of Georgia's Science Library were examined for changes in historic period settlement and land use. County histories and old maps were reviewed for background on the historic period. Much of this information is presented in the background discussion and, whenever relevant, in the site descriptions.
Field Methods
Our investigation of the Shoulderbone tract consisted of a comprehensive survey, designed to locate all of the archeological sites in the project area. However, it differed from more intensive surveys, in that less emphasis was placed on delineating site boundaries.
While realistically it may be impossible to locate all of the cultural resources in a given area, we employ a methodology that will identify the greatest number of cultural resources with the allotted time and labor. We combine a predictive model (which identifies landfonns with high or low probability for containing cultural resources) with systematic subsurface testing to locate and delineate sites and recover infonnation about artifact distributions, cultural components, and site fonnation data.
The predictive model is based on the results of previous surveys in wooded and c1earcut areas in the Piedmont, such as a 1900 ha survey near Greenwood, South Carolina (Rodeffer et al. 1979); a 5700 ha survey of a portion of the middle Oconee River Valley (Fish and Gresham 1990); a survey of 1198 ha of timber c1earcuts in Oglethorpe County (Freer 1989); and, finally, a survey of 800 ha of c1earcuts in Jackson and Madison Counties (Pluckhahn 1994). These surveys demonstrate a patterned relationship between archeological site location and topography. In essence, high probability areas for prehistoric sites in the Piedmont are level to nearly levellandfonns such as ridge tops, ridge noses and spurs, knolls, saddles, terraces, and well drained level areas near water. Historic sites in the Piedmont are expected to occur on nearly levelland, particularly on ridge tops and near present and abandoned roads. While the entire survey area was examined for cultural material, high probability areas received the most attention.
15

The survey strategy in regions of high probability was to visually inspect all areas of ground exposure (such as clearcuts, roads, trails, or fields), and to excavate shovel tests in areas with little or no surface exposure. Virtually all surface exposures occur on upland landfonns (such as ridges) that have been subjected to clearing, plowing and erosion. As a result of this erosion, artifacts now generally exist only in the upper 30 cm of soil, where they are exposed by activities such as road grading and logging. Experience has shown that even limited and patchy surface exposures on upland landfonns provide a more expedient and reliable means of locating sites (especially low density sites) than systematic grid shovel testing.
Within the limits of the project area, we followed all ridges to their tenninus. Many ridges had dirt roads that afforded some surface visibility. Shovel testing was used to detennine the local soil conditions, extent of erosion, and the presence or absence of subsurface cultural deposits. Shovel test intervals were detennined largely by the size of the landfonn being investigated. For the bulk of the survey shovel tests were placed on 30 m intervals along high probability landfonns. On small landfonns the interval was decreased to 20 m and sometimes 10 m to allow placement of at least two shovel tests on the landfonn. Narrow ridges (less than 40 m of nearly level ridge top) were surveyed with a single transect of shovel tests. On broad ridges, transects were usually 30 to 40 meters apart with shovel tests placed at 30 m intervals along each transect.
As indicated in Figure 7, approximately one-third of the total project area has been clearcut within the past two years, resulting in considerable surface exposure throughout much of the tract. A total of approximately 378 off-site shovel tests were excavated in vegetated areas.
A site is defined as any shovel test containing three or more artifacts from the same broad cultural period (prehistoric versus historic), two adjacent or nearby shovel tests producing at least one artifact each from the same broad period, or a surface collection that has at least three artifacts of the same broad period. Historic sites that have other indicators of domestic or commercial use, such as features, foundations or ornamental vegetation, would also be considered sites. Artifact densities less than that described above would be considered artifact occurrences. Broader historic period landscape features, such as roads, terraces, fence lines and property boundaries, were not considered sites. Also, dispersed and concentrated deposits of trash less than 50 years old were not considered sites.
Once a site was detected its limits were detennined by either a crucifonn or grid pattern of shovel tests, on 10 to 20 m intervals. Site boundaries were determined using the extent of any surface scatter present, the distribution of positive and negative shovel tests, and by natural limits imposed by the topography of the landfonn on which the site occurs. Historic sites were often defined on the basis of the extent of surface features such as chimney remnants, piers, and wells. Site boundaries usually contain a 10 m buffer zone around the most outlying cultural material. After the boundaries were delineated, a sketch map of the site was drawn and the location was plotted on the 7.5' USGS topographic map. Site forms containing all pertinent infonnation were completed in the field.
16

Figure 7. Land Use and Shovel Test Locations in the Survey Tract. 17

Shovel tests consisted of 30 cm diameter holes excavated to subsoil and screened through one quarter inch mesh wire. All artifacts were bagged separately by provenience and given sequential bag numbers. Positive shovel tests were numbered sequentially on each site; negative shovel tests were plotted but not numbered. The locations of all positive shovel tests were marked with plastic flagging.
Laboratory Methods
All artifacts were washed and sorted by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. personnel and were analyzed by the author. Artifact analysis procedures included standard, macroscopic technological/typological sorting to allow for dating the site by diagnostic artifacts, describing activities through artifact function, and outlining lithic reduction stages and raw material use.
Prehistoric Lithics
Flaked stone artifacts were divided into two major categories, flaking debris and flaked stone tools, subcategories of which are described below.
Lithic debris is defmed as culturally altered stone that has not been used for any particular activity. It is the discarded by-product of tool manufacture.
Early reduction (ER) flakes are debris that retain at least the proximal end (platform and bulb of percussion) and 50 % or greater of the parent rock cortex on the dorsal surface. For quartz artifacts this is somewhat ambiguous. Usually cortex from quartz pebbles is darker or differs in color and has a rougher texture. Cortex from vein quartz commonly retains a dull luster that differs from non-cortical surfaces. Cortical flakes were further divided into three
size categories: < 1 cm, 1-3 cm, and > 3 cm.
Late reduction (LR) flakes are debris that retain at least the proximal end and less than 50% of the parent rock cortex on the dorsal surface. Late reduction flakes were divided into
three size categories: < 1 cm, 1 - 3 cm, and > 3 cm. It should be noted that this category
includes what are sometimes referred to as biface thinning or edge rejuvenation flakes. Because such flakes are typically difficult to identify with quartz (the dominant material in the region), this category was subsumed under the broader classification of late reduction flakes.
Shatter is all lithic debris that does not retain any proximal flake features or any proximal flake scars. Shatter usually consists of angular core reduction fragments.
Cores are flakable lithic raw material nodules that have at least two flake scars. Stage 1 preforms represent the early stage of biface production, wherein flakes have been detached from dorsal and ventral surfaces of a thick flake/blade blank or raw material nucleus in a radial pattern. On these preforms, the typical flake scar length is at least half the width of the blank or raw material nucleus. The crossection of the blank or nucleus is usually biconvex and the lateral edges are sinuous.
18

Chunks are distinguished from cores by the lack of complete flake scars or only one complete flake scar. F1akab1e lithic raw material is not considered to be cultural if it occurs locally and lacks any evidence of cultural alteration.
Flaked stone tools range from unshaped, utilized debris fragments (expedient tools) to deliberately shaped, techno-functional forms (formal tools). Discarded tools are essentially the final stage of lithic use.
Projectile points/knives (PP/K) are shaped tools that were often hafted, usually bifacially reduced, and presumably had a variety of uses. Usually, they are good temporal markers.
The biface category includes all bifacially reduced tools in the [mal stages of tool reduction (i.e., those that are reduced beyond the preform stage), with the exception of PP/Ks. These bifacia1 tools mayor may not be hafted tools.
Preforms are bifacially reduced blanks that have at least the second stage of bifacia1 thinning flakes removed but lack the shape of a finished, hafted bifacia1 tool, i.e. a PP/K. All cortex of the raw material nucleus or the flaking platform and bulb of percussion of the blank have been removed by later stage flaking. The preform is thinner than a stage 1 preform but still retains a biconvex shape and sinuous lateral edges.
Unifacia1 tools have been reduced through flaking on the dorsal or ventral surface of a flake/blade blank. This tool category may represent flakes/blades that have been repeatedly sharpened during use or it may represent formal, diagnostic tool forms. The latter forms commonly have steeply beveled edges, whereas the former, expedient forms are not as steeply beveled.
Flake tools are flaking debris that have evidence of use and/or minimal retouch on one or more lateral edge.
Tools that do not conform to tool categories described above are classified as expedient tools. The majority of these tools are usually composite tools (i.e., tools that have use-wear patterns indicative of two or more different uses) or are tools commonly described as notches or spokeshaves.
Other lithic tools include pecked stone tools and ground stone tools. Pecked stone tools include implements used for flaking stone, e.g. hammerstones and anvils. These tools display pecked surfaces on the protruding edges or comers (hammerstones) or concave or pitted surfaces on the flat sides of stones (anvils). Ground stone tools are stone tools that acquired their shape through grinding, rather than flaking, or are stones used for grinding vegetal materials such as grains or nuts, e.g. manos and metates. Ground stone tools were recorded by number and weight. Fire-cracked rock was recorded by weight.
Our technological analysis of flaked stone generally follows the lithic reductive models developed by Callahan (1979) as modified by Collins (1975:14-37), as well as the model
19

developed by Blanton (1985:Appendix F). In Blanton's model, the processes of flaked stone manufacture and use are perceived as a series of five ordered stages:
1. Procurement. This stage takes place at the raw material source, such as a geologic outcrop or stream gravel bars. Residue includes modified boulders or cobbles, cores, hammerstones, tools in early stages of reduction, early stage debris, and rejected chunks of raw material.
2. Early and Intermediate Production Stages. Production stages preparatory to final shaping are carried out next. In biface production, this involves thinning and margin shaping. In flake tool production, this involves core preparation. Early stage bifaces are recognized by thick cross sections, irregular flake scars, and sinuous margins. Intermediate-stage bifaces still exhibit irregular flake scar patterns, but the scars are less prominent. The residue of this stage include damaged preforms, smaller cores, debitage with moderate cortex, and rejected trimmed flakes.
3. Late Production Stages. This stage involves the final shaping, edging, and hafting of a tool. Associated with this stage are small hammerstones, late stage debitage, and late stage manufacturing failures. Late stage bifaces will be thin with straight margins and regular flake scar patterns. Heat treating should be common at this stage.
4. Tool Use. The goal of the preceding stages is the production of functional tools. Following Binford (1978), these consist of personal gear, situational gear and site furniture. Personal gear includes hafted bifaces, formal endscrapers, other bifaces, and flake blanks. Situational gear includes items of expedient nature fashioned to meet unexpected needs often by scavenging for material or modifying an item of personal gear. Examples include flake tools and modified formal tools. Site furniture includes items left at the site for future use such as grinding slabs, hearthstones, hammerstones, anvils, and caches of blanks or tools.
5. Discard. Final discard marks the points at which artifacts enter the archeological record. The locations of discard are related to the context of use . or site function. Based upon the type of discard it should be possible to separate sites of different functions.
Prehistoric Ceramics
Ceramics were classified by temper and surface treatment. In northern Georgia, temper generally falls into one of two categories: fiber and sand/grit. Fiber tempered ceramics, which were produced by the addition of small amounts of vegetable matter to the clay, can be recognized by the irregular impressions left by the fiber particles on the surface of the sherd. Sherds that are tempered with sand typically have a rougher texture, and small, rounded particles of quartz or other minerals are often visible in cross section. Typically,
20

archeologists have described sand tempering in terms of rather subjective assessments of particle size, using the term "grit" to refer to larger temper particles and "sand" to describe smaller aplastics. In the analysis of sherds from the Shoulderbone tract, we have employed a more object sorting criteria, using a modified version of the Wentworth scale, used by geologists and ceramicists to sort particles by size. Sand tempered sherds have been grouped into three categories: fine/medium tempered (aplastics less than 0.5 mm); coarse tempered (0.5 - 1.0 mm aplastics), and very coarse or grit (aplastics larger than 1.0 mm). Generally, fine/medium tempered sherds are more typical of the Woodland period. Mississippian period sherds usually contain larger temper particles.
Historic Artifacts
Historic artifacts were grouped into time sensitive categories representing different materials and means of manufacture, such as cut and wire nails, various colored container or flat glass, and ceramics. Ceramics were identified by their named type, most of which have known date ranges of manufacture (Noel Hume 1974; South 1977).
Evaluation Methods
All sites were evaluated using established criteria for inclusion of sites in the National Register of Historic Places. Only criteria "d" applies to most archeological sites, stating that significant sites "have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history." Sites were classified as:
1) eligible for nomination; 2) potentially eligible for nomination, additional research is required; or 3) ineligible for nomination
While the range of "important information" is wide and diverse, it can be simply defined (to make site evaluations at a survey level operational and practical) as consisting of data that provides new, non-redundant, non-trivial information beyond that which can be gathered by surveyor archival methods. This usually equates to sites with well preserved artifact distributions and/or features, or sites with unusual aspects that can yield insights and information into lifeways, subsistence, chronology, and other topics.
The primary reasons for recommending a site ineligible, that is, advising that it would not likely yield important new information are:
1) the soil strata containing cultural material has been disturbed to the extent that there is little potential for identifying meaningful artifact distribution patterns or locating features; or
2) the site is relatively undisturbed, but so little cultural material is present that there is little potential for conducting further meaningful research; or
3) the site is relatively undisturbed and material is not sparse, but the archeologically recoverable data is not considered important, relative to data that can be gathered by other means.
21

Sites recommended ineligible for the National Register are still important for settlement system studies and cultural history reconstructions, but the data necessary for these studies has already been collected by the survey, or can be gathered from other sources.
Theoretical Approach to Historic Sites
On the present survey, Reason 3 was applied to several historic period sites and warrants some amplification. As National Park Service Bulletin 15 states, the information contained in a property must be considered important if the site is to meet criterion "d". It must be important to either current theories or gaps in knowledge or to priority areas identified by State or Federal management plans. Unfortunately, management plans, theories, and gaps in understanding relating to nineteenth to twentieth century house sites in Georgia have not been consolidated or clearly presented. We are left to a somewhat subjective assessment of what is important. It is axiomatic that more excavation and research at virtually any site will yield some additional information, but it is clear that at many sites this would be trivial or redundant, and thus not important.
In spite of their great numbers, relatively few nineteenth to twentieth century sites have been excavated in Georgia, so archeological data would not likely be redundant, at least with other excavated data. It probably is redundant, however, with other sources of data, such as county histories, census records, wills, deeds, other court records, photographs, diaries, personal archives, informant interviews, and newspaper articles. One must ask of nineteenth to twentieth century sites, "What is to be gained through excavation that cannot be more expediently, and probably more thoroughly, gained through archival research and informant interviews?" Or again, "is excavation really likely to provide important information, or simply a reiteration and confirmation of known information (such as dates of occupation, status of occupants, diet and subsistence, refuse disposal patterns)?" For this project, we asked these questions at several stages, trying to determine what types of important information each site would likely contain.
Theoretical Approach to Rock Piles
One class of site that was frequently encountered on this survey poses special problems for evaluation. These sites, which consist of one or more rock features, are difficult to assess on the basis of survey data alone. While many stone features in the Piedmont are the product of historic land clearing activities, others were built as burial cairns or ceremonial markers in the prehistoric era. Prehistoric rock features of the type that have been identified in Georgia to date would be of obvious archeological importance, and would be considered potentially eligible or eligible for the National Register. Rock piles constructed during the historic period may be of some limited interest, but probably have little potential for yielding significant information through additional archeological investigations. Therefore, the eligibility of rock features hinges largely on whether they were constructed during the prehistoric or historic period.
In estimating the age of rock piles in the survey tract we consider a number of criteria based on environmental and spatial observations. For example, previous research has demonstrated that the size of stone constructions may be of some diagnostic value. Gresham
22

(1990) suggests that most of the smaller rock piles (i.e., those less than 5 m in diameter) which have been excavated in Georgia to date have either proven to be historic or have lacked any definitive evidence as to their origin (Gresham 1990:33). In contrast, many of the larger rock mounds and clusters of large boulders have proven to contain significant prehistoric deposits, including burials (Braley et al. 1985; Gresham 1990; Jefferies 1976; Jeffries and Fish 1978; Waring 1945).
Other environmental criteria include the proximity of the rock piles to known prehistoric or historic sites. These associations are relatively weak lines of evidence as to origin, but may be of some utility when backed up by other observations. If the piles are in close proximity to historic house sites, for example, it may support the assumption that the rocks were piled for later use as building material. Likewise, nearness to a cultivated field suggests, but does not prove, that a pile is associated with land clearing activities in the nineteenth or twentieth century. The fact that a rock pile is located along a property margin or fence line would also suggest a historic period origin (Garrow 1994: 16). On the other hand, the proximity of a number of Middle Woodland sites to a rock pile suggests the possibility of an association, in that the area would have been heavily utilized during a period when rock piles are known to have been constructed. In the absence of other evidence, however, the proximity of such sites should be considered equivocal evidence, at best.
Finally, we examine the configuration of rock piles on each site. Garrow (1994) observes deliberate patterning, including concentric circles and possible zoomorphic designs, on a rock pile complex in Gwinnett County. Although we feel that Garrow's assertions are rather subjective, indisputable and fairly obvious patterns have been observed in the distribution of Woodland earthworks on sites in the mid-West (Garrow 1994:29-30). Therefore, after mapping the distribution of rock piles on each site, we examined the maps for patterns. None were noted, perhaps largely because most of the sites in question consist of only a few rock piles.
These criteria are presented in order to weigh the evidence in favor of a prehistoric or historic origin for the rock piles in the project area. In most cases, however, the evidence is equivocal. As a result, we have considered the range of rock pile components throughout the project area, and have selected a representative sample for additional testing or protection. This sample includes the one rock mound, and a number of smaller rock piles of various sizes. In general, our selection is based on the degree of preservation and the presence of prehistoric artifacts on site or in proximity to the piles. This approach mirrors that which has been employed on the Oconee National Forest, where only a sample of rock pile sites have been recommended for protection (King 1992:23-24).
23

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INVESTIGATION OF THE SHOULDERBONE SITE (9HKl)
The Shoulderbone site, on a terrace on the north side of Whitten Creek, is a mound complex dating to the Mississippian period (A.D. 1000-1540). The site includes three mounds. The most substantial of these, Mound A, is over 10 m tall, making it one of the largest mounds in the Oconee River Valley, if not the state (Williams 1990b:31) (Figure 8). Mound B, along the western edge of the site above a low, swampy area, measures slightly more than 5 m high (Figure 9). Mound C, which consists of a low rise less than a meter high, is located approximately midway between Mounds A and B.
Our investigations of the Shoulderbone site were minimal, and focused on defining and demarcating the limits of the site so that it may be fenced. Before summarizing these investigations, we present a brief overview of the site. This information is drawn from Williams (1990b), who provides a much more detailed account.
History of the Shoulderbone Site
The Shoulderbone site has long been known as a place of considerable archeological significance. The first recorded account of the site may be that of William Bartram, who described a mound site in the vicinity at the time of his travels in the region in 1775:
Not far distant from the terrace or eminence, over looking the low grounds of the river, many very magnificent monuments of the power and industry of the ancient inhabitants of these lands are visible. I observed a stupendous conical pyramid, or artificial mount of earth, vast terragon terraces, and a sunken area, of a cubical form, encompassed with banks of earth; and certain traces of a larger Indian town, the work of a poweiful nation, whose period of grandeur perhaps long preceded the discovery of this continent.
Although Bartram's route cannot be pinpointed with absolute certainty, his description of the location of this mound complex most closely approximates the Shoulderbone site (Williams 1990b).
The Shoulderbone site is described in several nineteenth century publications, including Sherwood's (1860) A Gazetteer of Georgia and White's (1849) Statistics of the State of Georgia. However, the most complete and accurate nineteenth century account of the site is provided by C.C. Jones (1873) in his landmark publication Antiquities of the Southern Indians, Particularly of the Georgia Tribes. Jones produced a map of the site, reproduced as Figure 10, as well as a lengthy description:
In the retired valley ofLittle Shoulder-Bone Creek, about nine miles from the village of Sparta, in Hancock County, may be seen another group of ancient
25

Figure 9. View to the Northeast of the Shoulderbone Site, with Mound A in the Background.
Figure 8. View to the Southwest of Mound B on the Shoulderbone Site. 26

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Figure 10. C.C. Jones' Illustration of the Shoulderbone Mounds Site. Reproduced from
Williams (199Gb: 15).
27

tumuli...Approaching this series of tumuli from the west, the first which engages our attention (designated in the accompanying sketch by the letter G), in general outline nearly resembles a truncated cone, being slightly ovoidal, and with summit-diameters, measured east and west, and north and south, of, respectively, fifty-two and forty-two feet. Its base-diameter, running east and west, is one hundred andforty feet... Its present altitude is sixteen feet.
One hundred and fifty yards east of this mound is the largest tumulus of this group (C). It is a truncated, pentagonal pyramid, its base -diameters, measured north and south, and east and west, being respectively one hundred and eighty and one hundred and eighty-four feet. Its summit-diameters, ascertained in the same directions, are respectively eighty and eighty-eight feet. This mound is forty feet high.
Considerable excavations have been made in the eastern slope. Composed, as it is, of alluvial soil of the valley, the planters of the neighboring hills (entirely ignoring the claims of this ancient monument to preservation and respect--we had almost added veneration--at the hands of a utilitarian age), in by-gone years frequently resorted to it as a convenient source offertilization for their impoverished lands.
It is not improbable that the Indians used the summit and sides of this tumulus for the purposes of sepulture. Skeletons have been found near the surface, in a degree ofpreservation and possessing certain indicia which forbid the belief that their inhumation was coeval with the construction of the mound.
The tumuli D, E, and F, appear to have been designed and used exclusively as burial-mounds. For so many years they have been traversed by the ploughshare, and wasted by the winds and rains, that they have doubtless lost much of their original proportions. Their surfaces are covered with fragments of human bones, and pottery, beads, arrow and spear heads, stone implements, pipes, clay images, etc., etc.
The Mounds C, D, and E, are isolated by a moat or ditch, indicated by the letters BE. The total thus enclosed is between four and five acres. An additional ditch separates the mound E from the other two; and, at the point H, are traces of an excavation or reservoir, from which a third ditch (K) leads to an adjacent small creek or stream emptying into Little Shoulder-Bone Creek. The earth taken from these moats or ditches, and removed in digging the reservoir, was expended in the erection of the tumuli. There are no indications of embankments along their edges. All traces of this moat will soon disappear, and marked changes have already occurred within the recollection of the older inhabitants.
Within the enclosure, stone idols--similar in appearance to those found in the valley of the Etowah--and clay images, resembling the humanform in
28

distorted shape and feature, and fashioned after the similitude of beasts and birds, have been gathered.
Williams (1990b) has noted some of the problems and inconsistencies with Jones' account of the site. Perhaps most important is the fact that the north arrow on the map is shown approximately 55 degrees west of present magnetic north. Moreover, the creek is shown flowing in the opposite direction from its natural course. In addition, the "mounds" that Jones labeled "E" and "F" appear to be natural rises, rather than man-made features. Finally, Jones appears to have considerably overestimated the height of the mounds. These problems notwithstanding, the account provides a remarkably accurate appraisal of the site.
The Shoulderbone site was visited occasionally by a number of archeologists throughout the early and middle twentieth century (Williams 1990b: 13-16). With the exception of a surface collection of the site by members of the Society for Georgia Archaeology, which is described by Wauchope (1966), these visits are poorly documented.
Despite the fact that it had been known for over two hundred years, the Shoulderbone site was not professionally recorded or precisely plotted on a map until the mid 1980s. Prior to a 1986 University of Georgia field school, Mark Williams visited the site with the landowner, and used aerial photographs to pinpoint the location on a USGS map (Williams 1990b:19).
Williams' investigations remain the most thorough and best documented examination of the Shoulderbone site. Field work included detailed topographic mapping, and the excavation of 84 posthole tests and ten 2 by 2 m excavation units. Williams' map of the site is included here as Figure 11. As indicated in this figure, the mound designations have been revised. The largest mound, which Jones labeled as "C", is denoted as Mound "A". The nearby low mound that Jones refers to as "D" is termed Mound "C" by Williams. Finally, the earthwork at the southwestern edge of the site that Jones labeled "G" has been renamed Mound "B".
Based on the ceramic collection gathered from postholes tests and test units, Williams concluded that the major occupation of the site, including most of the mound building, took place during the Savannah and Early Lamar periods, probably from about A.D. 1250 to 1450. Based on the relative scarcity of Late Lamar ceramics, he felt that the occupation of the site during this period was insubstantial.
Artifact distribution data was combined with the evidence from aerial photographs to infer the existence of a complex array of palisade ditches and a large sheet midden. A copy of the 1951 USDA aerial photograph, which shows this midden area and several possible palisade lines, is reproduced here as Figure 12. Although relatively large quantities of midden were recovered from some portions of the site, Williams (l990b) conjectures that the peak in occupation was probably no more than 200 people, and may have been restricted to the chief and his wives, children, and slaves. Presumably, most of the chief's subjects resided beyond the limits of the Shoulderbone site, in scattered houses that may be represented by the many artifact scatters that were identified on our survey.
29

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Figure 11. Reproduction of Williams' (1990b:26) Map of the Shoulderbone Site.

Figure 12. Reproduction of the 1951 USDA Aerial Photograph Showing the Shoulderbone Site.
31

Delineation of the Shoulderbone Site

Williams' testing hinted at, but did not clearly define, the limits of the Shoulderbone site. Working from his posthole data it appeared that the site extended south almost to the creek, north about a hundred meters from Mound A, east to a swampy area known as Red Lake, and west a short distance from Mound B. However, there were some problems with the data. First, several of the posthole test designations are repeated L.TJ. the report, suggesting that there may have been some confusion of grid coordinates. Next, Williams does not present artifact counts for the posthole tests, but instead gives only a description of diagnostic sherds and total sherd weights. As a result, it is impossible to be certain if some of the posthole tests were negative or simply did not produce sherds. Finally, the grid was not expanded until negative tests had been reached, so it was unclear if the site continued in several directions.

The present study focused on defining and demarcating the boundaries of the Shoulderbone site. First, post hole tests were excavated at 50 m intervals on the periphery of the site, to complement the grid that had been initiated by Williams (Figure 13). Although the site datum could not be relocated, we were able to approximate its location from other benchmarks. Grid locations were established using a compass and measuring tape.

A total of fifteen posthole tests were excavated on the survey. Only one of these, at grid location N750 E500, was positive. This test producing a single plain rim sherd from the thin layer of plowzone. The rim is flaring in a manner suggestive of Savannah period pottery.

Figure 14 documents the location of the posthole tests that were excavated on this survey. Most of the tests that were excavated during Williams testing are also shown. As the

Figure 13. Excavation of a Posthole Test on the Shoulderbone Site.

32

800N -

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Figure 14. Map of the Shoulderbone Site Showing Boundaries Based on Posthole Tests Excavated During Survey and Testing.
33

figure demonstrates, the northern and western limits ofthe Shoulderbone site are now defined by negative posthole tests. The eastern limits are defined by the property line, which is at the edge of Red Lake. We have extended the southern limits of the site to the northern bank of Whitten Creek.
The site boundaries have been marked every 5 to 10 m with hot pink flagging tape. Because this tape can become brittle and difficult to see with time, we recommend that the boundaries of the site should be more permanently marked within the next few months. Additional recommendations for the Shoulderbone site are presented in the concluding chapter of the report.
34

SURVEY RESULTS
As was previously noted, archeological survey of the Shoulderbone tract resulted in the discovery of 72 previously unreported sites and 21 artifact occurrences. The locations of these cultural resources are indicated in Figure 15. Brief descriptions of the sites are presented in this chapter.
35

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kIn

Figure 15. Locations of Sites and Occurrences in the Shoulderbone Tract.

36

LocationlEnvironment

Field Site Number: A-I

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: White Plains

Topography: Terrace

Elevation: 122 m

Length: 160 m Width: 100 m

Vegetation: Clearcut

Site Nature: Artifact scatter/village

Closest Water: River/2

Distance to Water: 50 m

Elevation above Water: 5 m

"".

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 5 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 20 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

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The Whitten Creek Terrace site (9HKl14) is located directly west of and adjacent to the Shoulderbone site. The topographic map depicts the location as a broad, flat terrace, but the landform can be more accurately described as a linear ridge elevated two to three meters above the swampy floodplain that surrounds it on all sides. On USDA aerial photographs from 1942 and 1951, this landform appears as an isolated field, which was apparently cultivated well into the twentieth century. The first generation of timber on this old field has recently been logged, leaving a relatively dense growth of briars.
Shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals across the site. Prehistoric ceramics and lithics were recovered from tests across the higher elevations of the terrace, as well as on the more gradual slopes to the north, east, and west. The artifact scatter ends more abruptly to the south, where the landform slopes steeply to the floodplain adjacent to Whitten Creek.
Artifacts were locally heavy in some instances, as evidenced by Shovel Test 8, which produced over twenty sherds. In addition, Shovel Test 9 produced a number of large fragments of daub, or fired wall plaster, indicating that house remains can be expected on the site.
The periods of occupation on site 9HKl14 appear to match those that have been identified at the Shoulderbone Mounds. A few sherds can be classified as Savannah Complicated Stamped, marking a Middle Mississippian component. A few bold incised sherds signal a Late Mississippian Lamar occupation, which likely dates to the Iron Horse phase. A possible earlier component, perhaps dating to the Late Woodland period, is suggested by an
37

Figure 16. View to the Southwest of the Excavation of Shovel Test 10 on the Whitten Creek Terrace Site (9HK114).

unusual incised sherd that resembles Weeden Island pottery types found primarily along the Gulf Coast (Willey 1949).

As a probable village extension of the Shoulderbone Mounds site, the Whitten Creek Terrace site has obvious research potential. There is a strong possibility that features, including structural remains and burials, could be preserved below the plowzone. We therefore recommend that site 9HK114 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
2 quartz shatter 3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 g fire-cracked rock 4 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 5 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 fine/medium tempered notched rim sherd

38

b c
a

e

h

f

a) pinched rim sherd (ST9); b) rosette applique rim sherd (SI8); c) unidentified incised rim sherd (ST5); d) plain rim sherd (ST16); e) Mississippian triangular point (S12); f-g) Savannah complicated stamped sherds (STs 8 and 20); h) Lamar Medium Incised sherd.
Figure 17. Selected Artifacts from the Whitten Creek Terrace Site (9HK114). Shown actual size.

Shovel Test 2

2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
2 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 Lamar Complicated Stamped sherd

Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

4 residual fine/medium tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 112 g fire-cracked rock
2 g daub/fired clay 5 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 plain [me/medium tempered sherds 2 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd 1 unidentified stamped coarse tempered sherd

39

Shovel Test 5
Shovel Test 6 Shovel Test 7 Shovel Test 8
Shovel Test 9 Shovel Test 10 Shovel Test 11 Shovel Test 12 Shovel Test 13

1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 possible complicated stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified fine incised sherd
1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
2 g ground soapstone 3 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised rim
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 38 g unmodified soapstone fragment 7 residual fine/medium tempered sherds
6 residual coarse tempered sherds 4 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 7 plain coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 2 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherds 1 unidentified complicated stamped sherd 1 rosette applique coarse tempered sherd
102 g daub 6 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 2 plain pinched rims
1 plain coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes < 1 cm
1 residual coarse tempered sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 residual fine/medium tempered sherd 1 plain fine/medium tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 4 quartz late reductions flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz utilized flake 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 1 plain fine/medium tempered sherd 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds
40

Shovel Test 14 Shovel Test 15
Shovel Test 16 Shovel Test 17 Shovel Test 18
Shovel Test 19 Shovel Test 20

4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 55 g groundstone tool fragment (diabase?)
1 quartz shatter 2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 4 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 7 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 notched rim very coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 3 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 plain fine/medium tempered rim sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake < 1 cm
1 quartz unifacial scraper 4 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 .plain fine/medium tempered sherd 6 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert flake > 3 cm
2 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 plain coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 Savannah Complicated Stamped sherd 1 possible Lamar Fine Incised sherd 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd

41

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-2 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Mixed hardwoods and pines Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Swamp Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 4-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 5 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Potentially

9HKl15

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o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK.l15 is a small prehistoric artifact scatter on a ridge nose to the northeast of the Shoulderbone site. Vegetation on the site consists of fairly mature mixed hardwoods and pines with little understory. To the north and east, the site is defined by a relatively steep slope to a swampy area known as Red Lake.
Prehistoric lithics and pottery were recovered from three of the eight shovel tests that were excavated at 10 m intervals across the landform. Two of the three positive shovel tests produced only lithics, while the third yielded a few nondiagnostic sherds. Artifacts were restricted to the thin (ca. 10 cm) layer of plowzone that remain above the red clay subsoil.
Site 9HK1l5 appears to be a low density artifact scatter, and may represent an isolated hunting or foraging station. However, the proximity to the Shoulderbone site suggests the possibility that it could instead represent an outlying house or farmstead. Additional research should be conducted to better assess the nature and integrity of the deposits. We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

42

Figure 18. View to the West of the Excavation of Shovel Test 1 on Site 9HK1l5.

Shovel Test 1
Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 residual fine/medium tempered sherd 1 plain coarse tempered sherd

43

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-3 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 10 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HKl16
Clearcl./r
N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HKl16 consists of a single rock pile on a narrow ridge nose above a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The site is located in a clearcut that has been recently replanted in pines.
The rock pile, which measures about two meters in diameter, is constructed of unmodified quartz cobbles approximately 30 to 40 cm long. The rocks are piled haphazardly to a height of roughly 30 cm. The pile may have formerly been somewhat higher, but has been disturbed by recent logging activities. A number of rocks are scattered about the surrounding area, and a skidder path runs very close to the pile.
Like most of the rock piles in the survey tract, the example on site 9HK116 was probably constructed simply to clear the field for cultivation during the nineteenth century. The absence of any prehistoric artifacts in the surrounding area would seem to limit the possibility that the pile is related to any of the prehistoric occupations of the project area. As a poorly preserved example of a common site type, the pile in question is unlikely to produce any significant, new information. As a result, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

44

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-4 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: HilI/ridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 40 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HKl17

/------"'"

//

Clearct/!

I
/
!
i
/ /
I
,I

""~~ A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK.l17 includes a light scatter of historic ceramics and two possibly related rock piles. The site is located on a high ridge top that has recently been clearcut and replanted in pines. However, the site also continues into a small area of young pines that was left uncut.

Historic ceramics and glass were recovered from a roughly circular area measuring approximately 30 m in diameter. The collection, which includes the following material, can be broadly dated to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century:

Surface

4 plain whiteware fragments 2 blue edged whiteware fragments 1 clear bottle glass fragment

One shovel test within the surface scatter in the cluster of pines was negative, and indicated that the landform has been eroded to the clay subsoil layer.

The first of the two rock piles consists of a linear arrangement of small, unmodified quartz cobbles. This feature, which is located downslope from the main part of the artifact scatter, measures about 5 m long, 50 em wide, and 30 em high. A skidder path runs adjacent to the pile, indicating that it may be extensively disturbed.

The second pile is located on the highest part of the ridge top near the southern end of the artifact scatter. It is composed of larger quartzite and granitic fieldstones measuring 30-75 em in length. Unlike the rocks in the previously described pile, the shape of these stones

45

suggests that they may have been utilized architecturally, possibly for a chimney or foundation. The rocks appear to have been bulldozed into their current location.
No structures are indicated in this location on aerial photographs or road maps from the mid-twentieth century, indicating that the house may have been abandoned by this time. As a very poorly preserved late nineteenth or early twentieth century farm house location, site 9HK.117 has little research potential. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.
46

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-5 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Mixed hardwoods and pines Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 75 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 12 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HKl18

o

o

\

o

o

... -,

0', 0 / \ e / , 0

o

\

I

\

,

0,

\
I1txed Jla,:dwOOO's \ e 2. I
- - - - and P/nes~,- - ''
o

N

..:."

0

A

-- - -...... -

............

-

~/,.-..:."",-.-B-.'

.. _ ' .. : : ,,: .

- _ CQq'

0= 10m
Positive Shovel Test 0 Negative Shovel Test

- ...... ........ - ~ -...... Site Limits

Site 9HKl18 consists of a small prehistoric artifact scatter to the north of the Shoulderbone site. The site is located in a stand of mixed hardwoods and pines on the eastern side of a small field road. Artifacts were recovered from shovel tests on the edge of a broad ridge nose that slopes gradually to the south.

Two of the fourteen shovel tests that were excavated at 10m intervals in a cruciform pattern were positive. Each of these produced a single sherd from the 10-20 em of plowzone that lay above the red clay subsoil, as indicated below:

Shovel Test 1

1 unidentified stamped fine/medium tempered sherd

Shovel Test 2

1 plain fine/medium tempered rim sherd

The two sherds from the site can be dated to either the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. Given the lack of modifications to the rim sherd found in Shovel Test 2, the former seems most likely.

The site probably represents an isolated activity area related to the occupation of the Shoulderbone site. The extremely low artifact density suggests that it is probably not the location of an outlying house or farmstead. We recommend that the site has limited research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

47

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-6 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: 50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HKl19

- _ _ - .... :J.).r.olnage ...

Gt//I;ed Slope
,_ ..., , I I

I

,

I 02 \

f

,

f

I

I

I .3 I

!____ -
--

I

J

o t el I 0

\

'

...

_

I
/

o

o)
/
/

)
/
/

/0 / / / / ---~- A

_---

0 10m

____ .-- - ad

- -.. C==-~

J)/rf _R~_ _ - - Posltl:,e Shovel Test

-

0 Negatlve ~hovel Test

Site Lirni:s

Site 9HK119 is also located in the stand of mixed hardwoods and pines to the north of the Shoulderbone site. The site lies near the edge of a broad ridge nose that slopes gradually to the southeast.
Three of the nine shovel tests that were excavated at 10m intervals in a cruciform pattern on site 9HK119 were positive. Each of these positive tests produced small quantities of artifacts from 12-15 em of plowzone that lay above the red clay subsoil. The modest artifact assemblage does not permit a precise dating of the site, but suggests an occupation some time during the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods.
Although the site is relatively small and low in artifact density, the recovery of three sherds in Shovel Test 1 suggests that the artifact scatter could be more substantial than our tests indicate. The site could represent an outlying homestead associated with one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. We recommend that additional testing should be conducted to better assess the nature of the site. Until such testing can be undertaken, we recommend that site 9HK119 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

48

Figure 19. View to the South of Shovel Test 1 on 9HK119.

Shovel Test 1
Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

1 residual coarse tempered sherd 2 plain coarse tempered sherds
1 residual coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd

49

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-7 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 128 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Well Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 5% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK120

\\

\\

\\

\\

o

\
\~\

o

\\

Scatter of

\ II:)\

-_\ QuarfZ~ROCkS \'%..\ \\

,(i)

.".

a
Q

\,\
"

, \

0 VA~\I

,
\

\\

0

\Wehr;

,
b/' ~) ,

II

II

I I

"

,

. Pusl7p//e

,,~
--

N
A o 10m
=

~/

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK.120 is a historic artifact scatter that includes a partially filled well. The site is located in a mixed upland forest on a ridge nose. An old field road runs down the center of the landform. This is bordered by a number of large push piles.
The few artifacts that were observed on the site consisted primarily of large, unidentifiable metal fragments that appear to be related to agricultural activities. Six shovel tests excavated in the vicinity of this scatter were negative.
The roughly circular well measures about two meters wide and about a meter deep. Nearby are a number of widely scattered quartz rocks. These do not appear to have been piers or foundation stones, and no architectural remains were identified.
Given the absence of any glass or ceramics, it does not appear that this represents an actual house site. The metal artifacts could simply be related to farming activities, and the well could be associated with a possible house site to the southwest on the same ridge. No houses are apparent in this location on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, nor on the 1940 road map for Hancock County.
Site 9HK120 appears to have limited research potential. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

50

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-8 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 122 m Length: 40 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Probable well Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK121

Hefal Barrel and .JJebns

~.. ', ~, ':.
"0
--

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test Negative Shovel Test Site Limits

A historic artifact scatter, site 9HK121 is located on a small ridge nose above an unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The landform, which slopes gradually to the southwest, is currently covered by a mixture of pines and hardwoods.
Historic ceramics, glass, and metal were recovered from four of the seven shovel tests that were excavated on the small landform. The soil in these tests consisted of about 20 cm of rocky silt loam over a similarly stone filled yellow brown sandy clay. Artifacts were retrieved from the upper 20 cm.
Although a few bricks were observed on the surface of the site, no other structural remains were evident. Nevertheless, the concentration of artifacts suggests that there was indeed a house in this location. Judging from the artifact assemblage, the occupation would seem to date to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.
No structures are apparent in the vicinity of the site on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs. However, the area surrounding the site does appear to be cleared. Presumably, whatever structure stood in this location was razed when the exhausted farmlands were converted to forest during the early part of the twentieth century.
It is possible that features are preserved on the site. However, given the relatively late period of occupation, the site is not likely to produce any substantitive information. We recommend site 9HK121 is ineligible to the National Register.

51

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

. 1 slip glazed stoneware fragment 1 wire nail 1 clear flat glass fragment 3 clear bottle glass fragments
1 brown medicine bottle glass 1 plain whiteware fragment 1 molded whiteware fragment
3 brick fragments 1 mortar 1 plain whiteware fragment 1 clear bottle glass fragment
1 wire nail

52

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-9 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 100 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 15-20 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50%
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK122

Clearcur
)N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test Negative Shovel Test Site Limits

Site 9HK122 is a relatively dense prehistoric artifact scatter on a clearcut ridge nose. A large quantity of sherds and a few lithics were collected from the surface of the site, primarily from a skidder trail that afforded excellent visibility. Three shovel tests in an adjacent patch of young hardwoods were both negative.
The surface collection from the site consists primarily of small and eroded plain sherds that are of little diagnostic value. However, a few of the ceramics are decorated, and permit a tentative identification of the period of occupation. Judging from the presence of a number of complicated stamped sherds, a few pinched rims, and punctate and notched rims, the site would appear to date primarily to the Middle Mississippian Savannah period, or to the Duvall phase of the Late Mississippian Lamar period.
Site 9HK122 is obviously severely eroded and disturbed due to years of cultivation and logging. Nevertheless, the site could still contain preserved sub-plowzone features. Similarly disturbed sites from the same period have proved to contain the residue from houses, including not only postmolds but also associated features such as pits and burials (Ledbetter 1988). We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

53

Figure 20. View to the South of Site 9HK122. The shovel and screen mark the location in the skidder path where most of the artifacts were recovered.

Surface

1 Piedmont chert early reduction flake> 3 cm 1 quartz shatter 1 Coastal Plain chert shatter
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
8 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm 4 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PPIK 1 quartz other bifacial tool 2 Coastal Plain chert utilized flakes 9 residual [me/medium tempered sherds 9 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 residual coarse tempered sherd 20 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 25 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 2 unident. compo stamped [me/medium tempered sherds 4 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 6 unidentified compo stamped very coarse tempered sherds 3 pinched [me/medium tempered rim sherds 2 pinched coarse tempered rim sherds 1 punctate very coarse tempered rim sherd 1 noded [me/medium tempered rim sherd 1 notched coarse tempered rim sherd 1 plain [me/medium tempered rim sherd

54

b d
a
f 9
n
a) notched rim; b) noded rim; c) punctate rim; d) plain rim; e-h) pinched rims i-I) complicated stamped sherds; m) sherd disk; n) quartz projectile point fragment.
Figure 21. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK122. Shown actual size. 55

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-I0

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: White Plains

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 140 m

Length: 40 m

Width: 15 m

Vegetation: Clearcut

Site Namre: Lithic scatter

Closest Water: Strearn/l

Distance to Water: 150 m

Elevation above Water: 15-20 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 25% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Dismrbance Type: Cultivate/eroded
Percent Dismrbance: > 50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK123

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK123 lies just to the south of the previously described site, on the same clearcut ridge nose. The site consists of a sparse surface scatter of lithics. Quartz debitage and one tool fragment were collected from the surface of an area measuring approximately 40 m long and 15 m wide. However, two shovel tests in the area were negative and documented the fact that the landform has eroded to subsoil.

Given the absence of ceramics, it may be reasonable to suppose that site 9HK.123 dates to the Archaic period. It likely represents a short term occupation where tools were finished or resharpened. The potential for features on a site of this type is low. Moreover, any features that may have been present have likely been destroyed through plowing and logging. Accordingly, we recommend the site ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 cm
9 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K (medial/distal) 1 quartz utilized flake

56

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-II County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 152 m Length: 30 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK124
':., " YOVI}!J :. . Hardwoods
and Roes .

N

"' ..2J

-- ~-?~ ..;9~ ~ ...

... ---....

A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

On a moderately sloping ridge nose in a clearcut, site 9HK124 consists of a surface scatter of whiteware and glass. The small artifact assemblage generally dates the site to the late nineteenth or twentieth century:

Surface

3 plain whiteware fragments 1 annularware whiteware fragment 1 horse? tooth fragment

No structural remains were observed in the field, and no house is evident in this location on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, nor on a 1940 county road map. However, the site does appear to border an old field road, which is still evident today.

A single shovel test in the vicinity of the surface scatter was negative and indicated that little or no topsoil remains on the site. In all likelihood, the site simply represents an isolated scatter of trash, or perhaps material displaced from another house site in the area. The site has little research potential. We recommend it ineligible to the National Register.

57

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-12 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 158 m Length: 80 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Mixed hardwoods and pines Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 10% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK125

Clearcur

N
A o= 20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK125, which consists of a cluster of rock piles, is located on a thin ridge top that is currently covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines. We noted a total of five rock piles on the site. Four of these are clustered in a relatively small area, while the fifth is located downslope to the south approximately 20 to 30 m. All of the piles are composed of unmodified quartz cobbles stacked in a seemingly random manner to a height of 30 or 40 cm. The piles are roughly 2 m in diameter.
There are no prehistoric sites in the immediate vicinity of the rock piles. Although it is impossible to state with certainty, the features appear to date to the historic period, and were probably constructed as the rocky land was cleared for cultivation. The area to the south that is now clearcut appears to have been cultivated on a 1942 USDA aerial photograph.
We have recommended additional research or protection for several of the rock pile sites in the survey area, particularly those we feel have the greatest potential for having been constructed during the prehistoric period. The rock piles on site 9HK125 are most likely historic, and are unlikely to provide any significant, new information. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

58

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-13 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: HiIIlridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 200 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: House/farmstead/lithic scatter Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK126

\
\

\

\

\

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits J

"'-.

------ ''''-~-< \

\

. ..... .:.....::.,.:....~.

\,'
) \---

~

f:W'f

11

Site 9HK126 is located just north of State Road 77, in a recent clearcut. The site includes both a prehistoric lithic scatter and the remains of a historic era house.
The prehistoric component is concentrated on a high ridge top at the northern end of the site. However, lithics were also found downslope to the south, on the surface of an old field road. One quartz tool is identifiable as a Middle Archaic Morrow Mountain type. A single ceramic suggests that the site was briefly reoccupied during the Woodland or Mississippian period.
In addition to a diffuse scatter of whiteware and other artifacts, the historic component includes the remains of a house. Judging from the arrangement of fieldstone piers, floor joists, and two piles of brick and fieldstone chimney rubble, this appears to have been a small double pen structure.
On a 1~42 USDA aerial photograph, the house appears to be standing and the adjacent ridge top is still in cultivation. However, the house is not represented on a 1940 county road map, suggesting that it had been abandoned by this time. On the next available photograph dating to 1951, the area is overgrown, making it difficult to see the structure.
Although there is a strong possibility that features related to the house may be preserved on the site, the research potential of these remains would be negligible. The period of occupation is well documented in written archives.

59

a

b

c

a) Morrow Mountain projectile point; b-d) unidentified projectile point fragments.
Figure 22. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK126. Shown actual size.

The prehistoric component, although relatively dense, is probably the product of repeated, brief occupations, rather than any type of more permanent residence. Features are not likely on a site of this type. Moreover, the area containing the highest density of prehistoric artifacts has been extensively disturbed and is now lacking in integrity.

In sum, neither of the components on site 9HK126 has the potential to contribute important information. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

10 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
6 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 quartz core/fragment 1 quartz stage 1 preform 1 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flake 1-3 cm 14 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 13 g unidentified groundstone (diabase) 3 quartz PP/Ks
1 quartz PP/K tip 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 9 plain whiteware fragments

Shovel Test 1

1 clear bottle glass fragment

Shovel Test 2

1 green tinted bottle glass fragment

60

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-14 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 75 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: StreamJ1 Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/ Condition
Surface Exposure: 80% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK127

Oearcuf
N
A o= 25m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK127 is a fairly dense scatter of prehistoric artifacts on a ridge nose approximately 250 m south of Whitten Creek. The site is located in an extensively disturbed clearcut logging deck. This can best be described as a circular graded area ringed by piles of earth and logging debris.
Artifacts, consisting primarily of sherds, were recovered from the surface of the site, but one shovel test in the area was negative. Much of the pottery was collected from the surface of an earthen pushpile on the southwestern edge of the logging deck, but scattered artifacts were found across an area measuring about 75 m long and 50 m wide. Although it is possible that earlier prehistoric components are also present, the primary occupation represented in the artifact assemblage would appear to date to the Late Mississippian Lamar period. The presence of fine, medium, and bold incised Lamar sherds suggests a settlement from the Bell, or perhaps Dyar phase.
Logging activities have destroyed much of site 9HK127. However, previous research has demonstrated that even extensively graded sites from the Lamar period may contain preserved subplowzone features (Ledbetter 1988). For this reason, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

61

Figure 23. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK127. Most of the artifacts were recovered from the pushpile to the right.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 6 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 17 plain coarse tempered sherds 11 plain very coarse/granule tempered sherds 2 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 6 Lamar Fine Incised sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 3 pinched rim coarse tempered sherds 1 plain fine/medium tempered rim sherd 1 plain coarse tempered rim sherd

62

a
a-c) pinched rim sherds.
Figure 24. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK127. Shown actual size.
63

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-IS County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 60 m Width: 60 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 %
Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

PileO/~ ,,'

0""/ I ,

LC$/~ ])eMs

----I II 'I

__ ,

Knoll "' I

I',.' \ /, 1 I,

.

,

'I X ".1.---== ?)i: L.cgg/n.9.o

IJ.I 0
I /\

on knoll ~

_ ' " " ,-;- --/' "./

, ,I I/ I ' , __ ... "" -

././ / // " //

II

II

-I
,J

II

\

\\

\\

\\

\\

//

//

Clearcur

// //

//

//

//

I/

//

// /

\\ \\

//
//

/... " \ \ / I

\

/

\

JI

II

,I

,I

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK128 consists of a light scatter of historic artifacts on a high ridge top. The site, which lies about 250 m north of State Road 77, has been clearcut and used as a logging deck.

Artifacts were collected from a roughly circular area approximately 60 m in diameter. However, the single shovel test that we excavated within the limits of this scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test testified to the extensive disturbance the site has incurred, with only about 10 em of mottled fill lying on top of the red clay subsoil.

The assortment of ceramics from the site indicates a late nineteenth or early twentieth century occupation. With the exception of a few isolated brick fragments, no structural remains were observed on the site. On both the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, the area that includes the site is heavily vegetated, making it difficult to see if a structure was still standing in this location. However, no houses are represented in this area on the 1940 Hancock County road map.

It is possible, although probably not likely, that a few features related to the house could be preserved in the subsoil. However, the information that such features could produce would almost certainly be redundant with archival sources. We therefore recommend that site 9HK128 is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

5 plain whiteware fragments 3 alkaline glazed stoneware fragments 1 purple transfer print whiteware fragment 1 dark blue transfer print whiteware fragment

64

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 128 m Length: 100 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK129

II

""--

,J

""--

p;je-q-f--(/~ ' \

L0gJ/n.g ~brJ!;,

~ ,,,-.I. +\.. .....t;\J,

\

r

, o/@\\,\,

I \\ I

~I 0 \ \ I

,\

\\ \

\

'\ \ \ 1
\ \\I \ 1I
\ I 1, \ IIJ

\ 1.;.'

'r,
j/ I

t;

OfI I
I' ,.f"~' I N
// A

\

~5m

Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

On a narrow ridge nose about 200 m south of Whitten Creek, site 9HK129 consists of a sparse prehistoric artifact scatter. The landform has been clearcut and used as a logging deck. Piles of earth and logging debris attest to the fact that the site is now heavily disturbed.

Widely scattered artifacts were recovered across an area approximately 100 m long and 50 m wide, but one shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test essentially consisted only of subsoil.

The small artifact assemblage from the site includes almost equal quantities of lithics and pottery, as indicated below:

Surface

1 quartz shatter 4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified compo stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 Lamar Medium Incised rim sherd

One of the sherds is classified as Lamar Medium Incised, and dates the site to the Late Mississippian period. It is impossible to say for certain without more pottery, but the site likely dates to either the Iron Horse or Dyar phase of the Lamar period.

The absence of significant quantities of pottery suggests that the site may never have been very substantial, or that it has been almost entirely obliterated. In any case, it now appears to have little research potential. Accordingly, we recommend that site 9HK129 is ineligible to the National Register.

65

9HK129

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 128 m Length: 100 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded
Percent Disrorbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

II

'''''

\ p;je~q-I f1--(/~ ""

t\/ Logg~"3~

\

])ebrls,

-I +..

\,,. \ " -;-j:.

r

, o/@\\,\,

I \\ I

,:' 0\\ I

\

\\ I

\\

'\ \ \ 1

\ \\I

\ 1I

\ 1II

\\+I .1,'I

},I I

~t,JJ

I
J

. ,r;.~1 I

,...::
:'.,
.. '

A -./s~/I

N
o= 25m

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

On a narrow ridge nose about 200 m south of Whitten Creek, site 9HK.129 consists of a sparse prehistoric artifact scatter. The landform has been clearcut and used as a logging deck. Piles of earth and logging debris attest to the fact that the site is now heavily disturbed.

Widely scattered artifacts were recovered across an area approximately 100 m long and 50 m wide, but one shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test essentially consisted only of subsoil.

The small artifact assemblage from the site includes almost equal quantities of lithics and pottery, as indicated below:

Surface

1 quartz shatter 4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 em 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 Lamar Medium Incised rim sherd

One of the sherds is classified as Lamar Medium Incised, and dates the site to the Late Mississippian period. It is impossible to say for certain without more pottery, but the site likely dates to either the Iron Horse or Dyar phase of the Lamar period.

The absence of significant quantities of pottery suggests that the site may never have been very substantial, or that it has been almost entirely obliterated. In any case, it now appears to have little research potential. Accordingly, we recommend that site 9HK.129 is ineligible to the National Register.

65

9HK130

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-17 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hilliridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 100 m Width: 100 m Vegetation: Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 1 Negative ST:O Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially eligible

~~~

\\

\\

\\

\\

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',

I I

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I I

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I
I

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JI I

................ I

/II

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----- ... ~
,-..-................... " ,.....

./ // I
__ ...." /
- --'" ....' /
-'

roo
ZJro/nqge N

A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK130 consists of a dense scatter of prehistoric pottery and a few lithics on a high ridge top near the southern limits of the survey tract, about 150 m north of State Road 77. Although the landform has been used as a logging deck, the site has been spared the destruction that was evident on other artifact scatters in the area. One shovel test on the ridge top produced a number of sherds, and indicated that up to 20 cm of yellowish brown sandy topsoil are in place over the red clay subsoil.

The extensive pottery collection from the site includes over 200 sherds, many of which are diagnostic. Based on the presence of a relatively high percentage of complicated stamped sherds, as well as a few rims decorated with rosettes or small notches, we may estimate that the site was occupied during the Middle Mississippian Savannah period, or perhaps the Duvall phase of the subsequent Lamar period. Many of the lithics, including a small triangular point, are probably associated with this component.

A second occupation, slightly later in the Lamar period, is marked by a number of medium and bold incised sherds. The absence of folded and pinched rims suggests that this component dates to the Iron Horse phase.

The periods of occupation on site 9HK130 match those on the Shoulderbone site. The high artifact density, coupled with presence of daub, suggests that the site represents a relatively permanent upland farmstead. There is a strong possibility that features, including house patterns and related pits and burials, are present and preserved on the site. We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register. '

66

Figure 25. View to the South of Site 9HK130.

Surface

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 quartz shatter 14 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 31 g daub/fired clay 1 sherd hone 1 Coastal Plain chert Mississippian triangular PP/K 1 quartz bifacial tool 1 quartz utilized flake 7 residual fme/medium tempered sherds 27 residual coarse tempered sherds 12 residual very coarse tempered sherds 9 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 54 plain coarse tempered sherds 53 plain very coarse tempered sherds 15 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 24 unidentified compo stamped very coarse tempered sherds 2 Lamar Medium Incised sherds 10 Lamar Bold Incised sherds 5 pinched rim sherds 3 punctate rim sherds 5 plain coarse tempered rim sherds 1 rosette on folded rim sherd 2 notched coarse tempered rims sherds

67

d

b

c

e

k

p

m

n

a-b) notched rims; c) rim with rosette applique; d) punctate rim; e-h) pinched rims; i-k) complicated stamped sherds I) Mississippian triangular point; m-o) Lamar Bold Incised sherd; p) Lamar Medium Incised sherd.
Figure 26. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK130. Shown actual size.
68

9HK131

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-IS County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 50 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: I Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Potentially

II
II I,
,I , \

\\

\\

\\
\, "

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,,

_

/

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.....
.,

;"

,

.

.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

/ ./

..- ;' ./

--~

./ ././

./ ;' / ./

/

,/

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/
,,/

/

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/.,.

-

.

-

-

.....

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"
\

/ / V ./ 'vI /

,

/I ./ l

0

I

\

I

;'
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, ' ..... _-"'.....I

A ""'" N

-'"

y""'"

-'" /

0= 25m

-'"

Positive Shovel Test

/

-'" 0 Negative Shovel Test

,/ ( - - Site Limits

Site 9HK131 is another prehistoric artifact scatter near the southern end of the survey area. The site is located on a clearcut ridge top, between State Road 77 and a gravel field road. Visibility in this portion of the clearcut was somewhat limited at the time of our survey, but eleven sherds were collected from the surface of a roughly circular area measuring about 50 m in diameter. One shovel test within the site boundaries was negative, but indicated that the site has been spared some of the heavy erosion that was evident throughout most of the survey area, with about 20 cm of sandy plowzone in place above the red clay subsoil.

The small surface collection from the site includes Lamar Medium and Bold Incised sherds and a fragment of what appears to be a folded and pinched rim. These permit us to tentatively assign the site to either the Iron Horse or Dyar phase of the Late Mississippian Lamar period.

Site 9HK131 may represent an extension of site 9HK130, approximately 100 m to the northwest. Due to the limited surface visibility at the time of our visit, we are unable to adequately assess the artifact density on the site. Additional research should be conducted to assess the research potential and integrity of the deposits. Until this can be completed, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

7 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 unident. compo stamped fine/medium tempered sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 1 folded and pinched rim sherd

69

Figure 27. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK131.

a

b

d

a) possible folded and pinched rim; b) Lamar Bold Incised sherd; c) Lamar Medium Incised sherd; d) complicated stamped sherd.
Figure 28. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK131. Shown actual size.
70

9HK132

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-19

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: Shoulderbone

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 128 m

Length: m

Width: m

Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods

Site Nature: Artifact scatter

Closest Water: Stream/l

Distance to Water: 25 m

Elevation above Water: 0-5 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 30% Surface ColJected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

~ ''J.~/ . swamp ~
"::JL
..
. ... .

iCleorCtlI-

N

A

R1'd.ge .J7q.oe

o f'. 10 m

Positi~el Te~t

o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

Eroded

Site 9HK132 is a small artifact scatter on a narrow ridge nose above a wetland formed by a tributary of Whitten Creek. The site is located just north of a large clearcut, in a forest of hardwood trees.

Three shovel tests were excavated at 5 m intervals on the small landform. Each produced a single piece of quartz debitage from the 20-30 em of sandy topsoil. In addition, one sherd was found on the surface of the site. Although it is eroded, this sherd appears to be Savannah Check Stamped, which would date the site to the Middle Mississippian period.

Site 9HK132 probably represents a specialized activity area related to the Savannah period occupation of the Shoulderbone site. The low artifact density and the small size of the landform suggests that it was probably not the location of an outlying house. Features are not likely, and the research potential of the site is minimal. We therefore recommend that site 9HK132 is ineligible to the NationalRegister.

Surface

1 medium/coarse tempered possibly check stamped sherd

Shovel Test 1

1 crystalline quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz shatter (lost in field)

71

9HK133

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-20 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 175 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

Dearcuf

,,. ...,

, 0\

,

I

' .... -,

r

N

Slope

A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test ~ o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK133 is a small surface scatter of quartz lithics. The site is located on a ridge nose in a clearcut. Recent logging disturbance has been extensive and the landform appears to have been eroded for some time due to years of cultivation. Large outcrops of exposed bedrock were noted, and the soil profile in our shovel test indicated that little or no topsoil remains.

The modest artifact assemblage from the site indicates that this was the location of at least one episode of tool production or resharpening. The site was probably occupied very briefly, and is not likely to contain features. As a result of its limited research potential and loss of integrity, we recommend that site 9HK133 is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
6 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

72

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-21 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 10m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream!l Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK134
II I I I
II
II 'I
I'
\I ,I
\I II II II
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I
II ,I
II
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I\;
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Wooded

~ \ ...

\~ ~

..

\1>.,

N
A o 10m
= Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK134 consists of a light scatter of prehistoric artifacts on a small ridge nose that has recently been clearcut. The site is located high above a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek.

Despite relatively good surface visibility, we were able to locate only three artifacts on the surface of the site. In addition, one shovel test in the vicinity of these artifacts was negative. The recovery of one coarse tempered plain sherd suggests that the site dates to either the Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian period. The lack of significant quantities of artifacts indicates that the site was probably the scene of a very brief, specialized activity.

Although it is eroded through years of cultivation and logging, site 9HK134 does not appear to be as extensively disturbed as many sites in the survey tract. However, the limited nature of the occupation suggests that features are probably not present on the site. We therefore recommend that it has limited research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 em 1 plain coarse/very coarse tempered sherd

73

9HK135

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-22

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: Shoulderbone

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 140 m

Length: m

Width: m

Vegetation: Clearcut

Site Nature: Lithic scatter

Closest Water: Stream/1

Distance to Water: 150 m

Elevation above Water: 10-15 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 75 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

\ ".'<::3 \~ ",. I:> .<.\:> '.~ \ \
N
A
~Om Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK135 is located along the western edge of the survey tract, on a clearcut ridge nose. The site consists of a light surface scatter of quartz lithics. The ten artifacts that were collected are indicative of the early or intermediate stages of tool production, suggesting that the site was probably the scene of a single episode of tool production.

Features are generally not common on the briefly occupied camp sites such as this one. In addition, if any features were once present on site 9HK135, they have likely been disturbed by cultivation, logging, and erosion. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quartz shatter
7 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

74

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-23 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 146 m Length: 50 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 75 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK136

"'~.. ':. '1S
....; ~

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.

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/''-,,'"

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......':."..,...

.

~~~

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,

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/J

/
/

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'

/

'

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~- _...

0

/

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I/

\

/

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I

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N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK.136, a prehistoric ceramic scatter, is also located on a clearcut ridge nose on the western edge of the project area. Pottery was collected from the surface of a logging road, and from adjacent cleared areas.

The surface collection includes plain,

complicated stamped, and notched rim sherds (Figure 29), but unfortunately none are

diagnostic of a specific period or phase. At

least in general, however, we can say that the

site dates to either the Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) subperiods of the Mississippian.

Figure 29. Selected Sherds from Site 9HK136. Left: notched rim sherd; right: pinched rim sherd. Shown actual size.

Although the surface collection from site

9HK136 is relatively small, our collection of the site was limited by logging debris and a light

cover of secondary growth. It is possible that the scatter is more dense than is indicated by

our collection. As a possible upland house or farmstead, the site could include features.

Accordingly, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

75

Figure 30. View to the South of Site 9HK136.

Surface

5 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 residual very coarse tempered sherds 4 plain coarse tempered sherds 7 plain very coarse tempered sherds 2 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 1 notched rim sherd 1 pinched rim sherd

76

9HK137

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-24 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 15 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Approximately 100 m to the north of State Road 77 in a clearcut, site 9HK137 is a light surface scatter of both prehistoric and historic artifacts. The site is located on an extensively eroded ridge nose above a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The landform is cut by a number of gullies as much as 2-3 m deep. One shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter confirmed that the ridge nose is eroded to subsoil, and produced no artifacts.

The prehistoric artifacts include a few sherds that are identified as Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian types. The historic component includes a nineteenth century ceramic and a clay pipe bowl fragment.

It is difficult to estimate the nature of either of the components on the site. Both may have been more substantial prior to the extensive disturbance. It does not seem likely that this was the location of a historic house, however, given the complete absence of any structural remains. Possibly,both components resulted from brief occupations.

In any case, site 9HK137 has been almost completely obliterated from erosion. Due to the loss of integrity, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 residual very coarse tempered sherd 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 punctate/bold incised body sherd 1 European pipe bowl fragment 1 alkaline glazed stoneware

77

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-25 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 60 m Width: 60 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK138

\\ \ ~, \ ~ \ Knoll
\.,,.~,.\, ,k\
, 7::J'\ \0
\ <;:> \ \ <;:>... \
\\
\\ \\
\ '. \
\\

N/

A o
=

20m

Positive Shovel Test

Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK138 is a prehistoric artifact scatter on a clear cut ridge top just north of State Road 77. A small quantity of quartz debitage and a single sherd were collected from the surface of a roughly circular area measuring about 60 m in diameter. One shovel test within the limits of the scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test reflected the erosion the site has incurred, consisting of only about 5 cm of yellow sandy clay over the red clay subsoil.

The single sherd dates the site to the Middle or Late Mississippian period. Judging from the low artifact density, it would appear that scatter represents a short term camp site focused on specialized activities such as hunting and plant collection.

Although the site is not as extensively disturbed as many others in the area, it is nevertheless quite eroded. Moreover, the sparsity of the deposits suggests that features are not likely. We recommend that the site lacks research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
1 unidentified stamped very coarse tempered sherd

78

9HK139

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-26 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 143 m Length: 40 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 25% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

/
\

IN
A \ 0= 15m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK139 is a prehistoric artifact scatter on a wooded ridge nose that is bisected by a small field road. Quartz lithics were collected from the surface of the road, which afforded visibility of approximately 25 %. In addition, two of the five shovel tests that were excavated at 15 m intervals along a single transect oriented with the landform were positive.

In contrast with those throughout most of the project area, the soil profile on this site includes a relatively deep, sandy topsoil layer that extends 20 to 30 cm below the ground surface. Artifacts were recovered from this plowzone layer, which lay atop a red brown sandy clay subsoil horizon.

Although artifact density was light overall, the recovery of two flakes and a sherd in Shovel Test 2 hints at the possibility of denser deposits. The site is reasonably well preserved, increasing the likelihood that features could be preserved. We recommend that additional research should be conducted to better assess the nature and integrity of the site. In the meantime, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

79

Figure 31. Site 9HK139.

Surface
Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 quartz shatter 2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert PP/K fragment
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd

80

9HK140

Location/Environment

\

Field Site Number: A-27 County: Hancock

)

USGS Quad: Shoulderbone

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 128 m

Length: 30 m Width: 10 m

Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods

Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter/lithic scatter

Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 10 m

Hela/

Elevation above Water: 0-5 m

Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface ColJected: No Positive ST: 1 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

Reldslone Brt"ck Plie
N
A o 10m
= Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK140 is located on a small ridge nose above the confluence of two creeks. Vegetation in this bottom area consists of mixed hardwoods.

The site includes two components, one prehistoric and the other historic. The former
includes an isolated quartz late reduction flake ( < 1 em) identified in one of the four shovel
tests that were excavated at 5 m intervals across the top of the landform. This component is obviously the product of a very brief activity, and is of little research value.
The historic component includes a linear pile of fieldstone and lesser amounts of brick on the edge of the ridge nose. This pile is bordered by a small circular depression about one meter in diameter. To the north of the pile are a few rusted pieces of cylindrically shaped sheet metal. Although it is possible that these remains represent a razed structure, the absence of any historic artifacts in our shovel tests would seem to belie this interpretation. It seems more likely, given the site's location, that these are the remains of a still. In either case, the historic component apparently dates to the twentieth century, and probably has very little research potential.

In sum, neither of the components on site 9HK140 is likely to contribute significant, new information through additional archeological research. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

81

9HK141

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-28 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 20 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 75%

Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0

Oearcuf

Negative ST: I

Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded

Percent Disturbance: >50%

Eligibility: Potentially

-....

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK141 consists of a surface scatter of prehistoric pottery on a clearcut ridge nose. Visibility on the site was limited at the time of our survey, with the exception of a small logging road where most of the artifacts were found. A shovel test to the northeast of the road was negative, but the soil profile indicated that there is at least a 10 cm thick layer of plowzone remaining on the landform.

The assemblage from the site includes a high percentage of coarse tempered complicated stamped sherds. Unfortunately, however, we did not recover any more diagnostic sherds. At least in general, we can say that the site probably dates to either the Middle or Late Mississippian periods.

Site 9HK141 may represent an outlying house or farmstead related to one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. Although it has been extensively damaged by cultivation and logging, there is a reasonable chance that features could be preserved. We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 4 plain very coarse tempered sherds 6 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 1 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 large unidentified ceramic fragment

82

9HK142

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-29 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter/isolated historic ceramic Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 15-20 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: I Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

~

\
I\
\\
\\ \\
\\ \\ \\
\\ \\ \ \-----~
\
N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK142, which includes a few quartz lithics and an isolated historic ceramic, is located on a high ridge top near the southwestern comer of the project area. The site is located on a logging deck within a vast clearcut. The site has been extensively graded and eroded.
The prehistoric component includes two early reduction fragments and a small portion of a biface, perhaps a preform. This is likely residue from a single episode of tool production. Features are unlikely on a component of this type.

The isolated historic artifact may have been displaced from a probable house site on 9HK128 to the northeast. No structural remains were observed, and no houses are represented in this location on any of the pertinent maps or aerial photographs that were consulted.

Both of the components on site 9HK142 are ephemeral and poorly preserved. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 em
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz unidentified biface fragment 1 purple transfer print whiteware fragment

83

9HK143

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-1 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 182 m Length: 70 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Clearcutllog landing Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 15-20 m
Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 90-100% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

\\ \\

,'II

II

II

N

'I

A o= 20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK143 is a sparse lithic scatter on a broad ridge top. The site is located on a logging deck within a clearcut, and has been heavily disturbed. Artifacts were recovered from the surface of the log landing, over an area approximately 70 m long and 40 m wide. One shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter, as well as a number of others in the surrounding area, failed to produce any additional artifacts and confirmed that the landform has eroded to sterile clay subsoil.

The artifact assemblage is composed primarily of early and large late reduction debris, but also includes a few tools. One quartz projectile point or knife appears to be a Late Archaic Stemmed type. However, it seems quite likely that the site represents a short term camp that was repeatedly reoccupied. Possible evidence for an earlier (probably Early Archaic) component is provided by a steeply beveled projectile point tip.

Site 9HK143 is not likely to contain preserved features or artifact distribution patterns. We recommend that the site lacks research potential and integrity, and should be considered ineligible for th~ National Register.

84

b

c

a
a) metavolcanic preform; b-c) quartz projectile points.

Figure 32. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK143. Shown actual size.

Surface

5 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
3 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 quartz core/core frag. 2 quartz shatter 1 Piedmont chert shatter
3 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
14 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
4 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
2 quartz PP/Ks 3 quartz PP/Ks (medial/distal) 1 quartz other bifacial tool 1 metavolcanic Stage 2 preform 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake

85

9HK144

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-2 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 164 m Length: 60 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Clearcut/newly planted pine Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Strearn/l Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

,,
\ \ \
\
1\ \
Ifoderofe Slope

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK144 consists of a scatter of approximately nine small rock piles on a clearcut ridge slope. The piles generally measure between one and three meters in diameter, and under a meter high. The rocks themselves range from small cobbles to moderately sized boulders. All of the rocks appeared to be unmodified quartz.

Like most or all of the project area, the ridge on which site 9HKl44 is located was probably cleared and cultivated extensively in the nineteenth century. The rock piles on the site were probably created in order to clear the field for plowing. There were no indications of any prehistoric activity in the area, despite relatively good surface visibility.

Whatever their period of manufacture, the rock piles on site 9HK144 have been considerably disturbed by recent logging activities. Better preserved examples of this type of site were noted in the project area, and have been recommended potentially eligible to the National Register. In light of this, we recommend that site 9HK.l44 is ineligible.

86

9HK145

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-3 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose/upland slope Elevation: 165 m Length: 90 m Width: 60 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock Piles Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-80% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: I Disturbance Type: Cultivated
Percent Disturbance: >50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Also a rock pile cluster, site 9HK145 begins on top of a ridge and continues downslope for almost a hundred meters to a small stream. The site includes at least 13 small rock piles, each less than two meters in diameter and under a meter in height. The piles are primarily constructed of small, unmodified quartz cobbles.

Like all of the rock piles in the project area, those on site 9HK145 were probably constructed in the nineteenth century as the rocky land was cleared for cultivation. However, this is difficult to prove with any certainty. There were no indications of any prehistoric component on the site, either in the single shovel test or in the extensive patches of open ground.

Site 9HK145 is located in a clearcut, and all of the rock piles have been impacted to some degree by logging activities. In many cases this damage has been severe. Better preserved examples of this type of site are common in the project area, and a sample have been recommended for protection. We recommend that site 9HK145 is ineligible to the National Regis.ter.

87

9HK146

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-4 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 165 m Length: 75 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 360 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 70% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

'" ... !ijtJ)( , "--" Rockpl!e
N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK146 consists of two rock piles on a clearcut ridge slope. Both of the piles are small, and are constructed of quartz cobbles measuring 15-40 cm in length. The rocks are stacked haphazardly to a height of approximately 50 cm. Logging activities have disturbed the southernmost of the two rock piles, leaving it as a somewhat diffuse scatter.

Although it is difficult to prove with any certainty, it seems likely that the rock piles on site 9HK146 were constructed in the nineteenth century as the land was cleared for cultivation. No prehistoric artifacts were observed on the surface of the site, or in a shovel test that was excavated between the two piles.

We have recommended that several of the better preserved and more substantial rock features in the project area should be considered potentially eligible for the National Register pending further research. As one of the poorer examples of this type of site, we recommend that site 9HK146 is ineligible.

88

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-5 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 165 m Length: 200 m Width: 80 m Vegetation: Clearcut/newly planted Site Nature: Lithic scatter/rock piles Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 240 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
ColIections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-75% Surface ColIected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK147
\
...--- ............... -Q~ -
- '" so ~
N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - SiteLimits

Site 9HK147 probably contains two unrelated

components. The first, a prehistoric lithic scatter, is confined

to a relatively small area on a level ridge nose. A small sample

of quartz debitage and two tools were recovered from the

surface of this level area, which has been clearcut and replanted

in pine. One of the tools appears to be a Late Archaic stemmed

projectile point or lmife (Figure 33). Although it is possible

that many artifacts have been lost to erosion, the small

assemblage is consistent with a short term camp site where tools

were manufactured or resharpened.

Figure 33. PP/K from

Site 9HK147. The second component on the site consists of a diffuse

scatter of rock piles on the ridge slopes to either side of the

lithic scatter. At least 36 small rock piles were noted in an area stretching about 200 m in

length and 80 m in width. The piles generally measure less than two meters in diameter, and

under 50 cm high. They are haphazardly constructed of small quartz cobbles.

The Late Archaic period is not a time during which rock piles are known to have been constructed. In all probability, the two components on the site are unrelated, and the rock piles date to the historic period.

89

Figure 34. View to the North of Site 9HK147.

However, as one of the largest and best preserved rock pile scatters in the project area, we recommend that site 9HK147 should be preserved for future research. The lithic scatter, although low in artifact density and obviously disturbed, should also be protected in order to ascertain if the two components could be related. Accordingly, we recommend that site 9HK147 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz core/core fragment 4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
7 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 quartz PP/K 1 quartz bifacial tool

90

9HK148

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-6 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 158 m Length: 185 m Width: 90 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 60% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Dismrbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

-;:/N

..- ...

A 0 20m
=

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK148 also contains both rock piles and a prehistoric component. At least 19 small rock piles were noted on the site, encompassing an area just under 200 m long and 100 m wide on an eroded toe slope. Like most of the stone features in the project area, these consist of small, unmodified quartz cobbles piled in a seemingly random manner to a height of no more than a meter.

The prehistoric component on the site, which was identified in the single shovel test, consists of an isolated quartz tool (Figure 35). This artifact is not diagnostic, but probably dates to the Archaic period, a time when rock piles are not known to have been constructed. Although the site has been clearcut and much of the ground surface was exposed, we were unable to locate any other artifacts.

Presumably, the two components on the site are unrelated, with the rock piles dating to the historic period. However, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated on the basis of the survey data. As one of the largest and best preserved rock pile scatters in the survey area, site 9HK148 should be preserved for future research. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible for the National Register.

Figure 35. Quartz Biface from Site 9HK148.

91

Figure 36. View to the East of Site 9HK148. 92

9HK149

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-7 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 140 m Length: 20 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 20 m Elevation above Water: 2 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-90% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 1 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK149, a prehistoric lithic scatter, is located on a clearcut toe slope above the confluence of a few small drainages. Artifacts were recovered from one of the two shovel tests excavated on the site, as well as from the surface of the site. Most of the surface artifacts were retrieved from a five meter wide area around Shovel Test 1. Soil profiles in the shovel tests revealed that only a few centimeters of clay loam remain above the red clay subsoil.

The fact that the artifacts were relatively concentrated suggests that site 9HK149 could be a single component camp site. One of the projectile points from the surface collection appears to be a Late Archaic stemmed type. Two fragments of soapstone would also suggest a Late Archaic date.

Prior to clearcutting, site 9HK149 may have had considerable research potential. Now, however, the site is clearly lacking integrity. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

93

Left and Center: Soapstone Fragments. Right: Quartz preform or bifacial chopper.
Figure 37. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK149. Shown actual size.

Surface Shovel Test 1

16 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 14 quartz early reduction flakes> 3 cm 10 quartz shatter 1 quartz Stage 1 preform 2 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
49 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 6 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake < 1 cm
18 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 192 g ground soapstone 106 g fire-cracked rock
2 quartz PP/Ks 1 quartz other bifacia1 tool 2 quartz ud biface fragments 2 quartz utilized flakes 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 1 residual coarse tempered sherd 4 plain very coarse tempered sherds (probable Lamar)
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm

94

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-8 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 158 m Length: 110m Width: 80 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 240 m Elevation above Water: 20 m
CoIlections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-5% Surface CoIlected: Yes Positive ST: 5 Negative ST: 1I Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK150
I

i '>< ...-:-., t--
/;'.- 1 Rockpil)e

I

II ~ \

1

II

/1

l 0

:

\J/

;,Y 1(' ".3

11

0

II

I

/

II

.r /
/

0 .5.:'I

I

I

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.2 :M' Surface ArH{ocfs

~0 I

I

/~

.
"Ra-Kp/e

I

\

/r'~ / Eroded

o

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~

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11// "'/\''\

o

...... -- -/~.",."
~ IIII

A ',~ N

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0 20 m

'i/~~ . \ ".".'" /~
"/

c::::== Positive Shovel Test 0 Negative Shovel Test

//\

Site Limits

Site 9HK150 is located approximately 240 m east of a small, unnamed tributary of

Whitten Creek, on a ridge nose covered by mixed hardwoods and pines. The site consists

primarily of a relatively large prehistoric artifact scatter, but also includes several small rock

piles.

Artifacts were recovered from the surface of a small field road, and from five of the 16 shovel tests that were excavated on or near the site. Cultural material was confined to the plowzone, a 10-15 cm thick layer of dark brown clay loam that lay above the red clay subsoil.

The pottery assemblage includes medium and fine Lamar Incised sherds, as well as plain and complicated stamped ceramics. Although the collection is small, it would appear to date late in the Lamar period, probably to the Bell phase (or perhaps less likely the Dyar phase). If so, it would post-date the latest occupation of the Shoulderbone Mounds site.

c
a) Lamar Fine Incised sherd; b-c) Lamar Medium Incised sherds.
Figure 38. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK150. Shown actual size.

Although the overall artifact density appears to be relatively low, the recovery of six sherds in Shovel Test 1 suggests that the deposits could be heavier in some areas. It may represent a small farmstead. While it is eroded, there is a strong possibility of sub-plowzone features.

95

Figure 39. View to the Northwest of the Road Intersection on Site 9HK150.

The six rock piles on the site, which are located beyond the limits of the artifact scatter, are presumably unrelated to this Mississippian component. All of the piles are small, and are typical of those that have proven to be remnants of historic period agricultural activities.

Based on the strong research potential of the Mississippian artifact scatter, we recommend that site 9HK150 is potentially eligible for the National Register and should be preserved. While the research potential of the rock piles is probably very limited, they are reasonably intact, and should also be protected for future research.

Surface

3 residual coarse tempered sherds 3 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd

Shovel Test 1

2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 Lamar Fine Incised sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd

Shovel Test 2

1 plain fine/med tempered rim sherd

Shovel Test 3

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 4

1 quartz shatter 1 punctate coarse tempered rim sherd

Shovel Test 5

1 plain coarse tempered sherd

96

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-9 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 152 m Length: 40 m Width: 10m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Strearnl2 Distance to Water: 170 m Elevation above Water: 20 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-5% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK151
o
Surface Scalf,
N
A
o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK151 is a smaller prehistoric artifact scatter just to the southwest of the previously described site. Shovel tests on the small ridge nose on which the site is located were all negative, but a modest collection of sherds and two expedient lithic tools were recovered from the surface of a field road. The resulting artifact assemblage generally dates the site to the Late Lamar period. Although it is impossible to date the site more precisely based on such a small collection of pottery, the presence of a bold incised sherd suggest an Iron Horse or Dyar phase occupation.

Site 9HK151 probably represents a small, outlying farmstead related to one of the mound occupations. Unfortunately, most of the site appears to have been eroded away. Shovel tests revealed that little or no topsoil remains on the site, and erosional gullies have cut the edges of the landform. Because of this loss of integrity, we recommend site 9HK151 ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz utilized flake 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 2 residual fine/med tempered sherds 3 plain fine/med tempered sherds 2 ud complicated stamped fine/med tempered sherds 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 1 folded and pinched fine/med tempered rim sherd 1 plain fine/med tempered rim sherd 1 plain sherd disk

97

9HK152

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-IO County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Bench Elevation: 140 m Length: 30 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Strearnl2 Distance to Water: 45 m Elevation above Water: 6 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

o
".
N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK152 is another small artifact scatter in the same vicinity as the two previously described sites, but located closer to the small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. Three of the nine shovel tests that were excavated on a wooded bench above the creek were positive. Each produced one artifact from the 10-15 cm of yellowish brown sandy loam that remains above the orange clay subsoil, as indicated below:

Shovel Test 1

1 residual coarse tempered sherd

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 3

1 plain very coarse tempered sherd

The presence of a sherd suggests that the site dates to the Woodland or Mississippian period.

The low artifact density indicates that site 9HK152 probably represents a short term camp, rather than any type of residence. As such, it is not likely to contain features. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

98

9HK153

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: B-ll

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: White Plains

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 146 m

Length: 50 m Width: 40 m

o

Vegetation: Upland mixed

Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter

Closest Water: Stream/2

Distance to Water: 170 m

Elevation above Water: 20 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 0-10% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: <50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.153 is a small subsurface artifact scatter on a ridge nose covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines. In addition, the site includes a small rock pile.

Four of the ten shovel tests that were excavated on the ridge nose were positive. Each produced a small quantity of artifacts from the approximately 20 cm thick plowzone layer. Despite good surface visibility, no artifacts were recovered from the surface of a food plot and pushpile to the south.

The small artifact assemblage can only be broadly dated to the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. Although artifact density was light in our shovel tests, the presence of a few fragments of fired clay or daub in Shovel Test 4 suggests the possibility that the site represents an outlying house or farmstead associated with one of the mound occupations. As such it could have considerable research potential.

The single rock pile on the site is much like those that were identified throughout the project area. Although we assume that it is not related to the prehistoric component, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated on the basis of the survey data.

Based primarily on the merits of the prehistoric artifact scatter, we recommend that site 9HK153 is potentially eligible to the National Register. The rock pile on the site should also be considered potentially eligible.

99

Figure 40. View to the Southwest of Site 9HK153.

Shovel Test 1
Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 residual fme/med tempered sherd 2 plain fine/med tempered sherds
1 residual coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd
6 g fired clay 1 residual fme/med tempered sherd

100

9HK154

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-12 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 40 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Rock piles and rock mound Closest Water: Strearn/2 Distance to Water: 360 m Elevation above Water: 13 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 70% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

Rock lIovnd
N
A - - - 0 10m = Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK154 is located on a high ridge top that is covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines. The site consists of a number of stone features of uncertain origin. A few of the stone features are identical to the type of small rock piles that are abundant throughout most of the project area. However, one of the features is much larger, and is more accurately described as a rock mound. This mound measures approximately 10 by 15 m at its base. It is composed of quartz cobbles piled to a height of about 1.5 m above the surrounding ground surface.

Previous research has suggested that while many of the smaller rock piles are associated with historic land clearing activities, larger rock mounds such as that on site 9HK154 are often associated with prehistoric ceremonial activities. Similar rock mounds have, upon excavation, revealed human burials. Typically, these are associated with the Middle Woodland period.

Three shovel tests in the vicinity of the stone features on site 9HK154 failed to yield any artifacts. While the rock piles, and perhaps even the rock mound, were likely constructed during the historic period, this cannot be demonstrated on the basis of the survey data. The resemblance of the mound to other features that have proven to be burial cairns requires that additional research should be conducted. We therefore recommend that site 9HK154 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

101

Figure 41. View to the North of the Rock Mound on Site 9HK154. 102

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-13 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 146 m Length: 50 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 23 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK155

O~.!-~\~\ /

\

5;~ S/90e

I

,

1

\, .3/' \ .2

I

o .... _ .....

o o

o

"\.~

o

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~------
c-----;

x/ 20m

\ = ~T~~~~el o Negative ShovelTTeestst

- - Site Limits

Site 9HK155 is a prehistoric artifact scatter on a ridge nose to the west of a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. Because the site is covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines, it was defmed and delineated on the basis of shovel tests.

Three of the 11 tests that were excavated on the landform were positive. In two of these tests, the artifact density was modest, consisting of just one or two flakes or sherds. However, Shovel Test 1 produced 10 sherds, including one fragment of Lamar Incised pottery. The medium width of the incised line is typical of Iron Horse or Dyar phase ceramics, but unfortunately the small size of the collection does not permit a more precise temporal assignment. A slightly earlier, Middle Mississippian Savannah occupation is marked by the presence of a cob marked rim sherd.

Left: Lamar Medium incised sherd from STI. Right: Savannah Cob Marked Rim Sherd from S1'2.
Figure 42. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK155. Shown actual size.

Soil profiles on site 9HK155 consisted of 15-20 cm of brown sand loam over a reddish brown clay subsoil, indicating that the site is reasonably well preserved. As a possible small homestead related to the Shoulderbone site, this small, but locally dense artifact scatter has the potential to contain preserved features. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

103

Figure 43. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK155 from Shovel Test 3.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

9 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 Lamar medium incised sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake 1 cob marked flaring rim coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd

104

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-14 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 122 m Length: 170 m Width: 190 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Historic/prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamf2 Distance to Water: 5 m Elevation above Water: 1 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 15 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK156

"~ :'swomp

Site 9HK156 contains both prehistoric and historic artifact scatters. The site is located on a ridge nose above a beaver pond formed by the damming of a small tributary of Whitten Creek. Vegetation on the site consists primarily of hardwoods, with lesser amounts of mature pines.

Fifteen of the 23 shovel tests that were excavated on or in the vicinity of the site were positive. All of the positive tests produced at least one prehistoric artifact, and three also produced one or more historic artifacts. Soil profiles generally consisted of between 10 and 20 cm of reddish brown clay loam plowzone over the red clay subsoil.

The prehistoric component on site 9HK156, on the other hand, appears to be fairly dense and well preserved. Although the ceramic collection is small and largely nondiagnostic, a few of the sherds appear to be Savannah Complicated Stamped (Figure 44). This would date the site to the Savannah period, and make it contemporaneous with what appears to be the most intensive occupation on the Shoulderbone site (Williams 1990b). As a possible extension of the Shoulderbone village, this component has excellent research potential.

Figure 44.

Savannah

Complicated Stamped Sherd

from Shovel Test 14 on Site

9HK156. Shown actual size.

105

The historic component on the site is limited to a few pieces of whiteware and a kettle leg. With the exception of a modem coop or pen, we observed no structural remains on the site. No houses are apparent in this location on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, nor on the 1940 county road map. As a dispersed, low density scatter of late nineteenth or early twentieth century artifacts, this component has very limited research potential.
We recommend that site 9HK156 is potentially eligible to the National Register based on the merits of the prehistoric component. The site should be protected from development or mitigated if avoidance is not feasible.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

Figure 45. View to the North of Site 9HK156 from Shovel Test 6.
1 quartz early reduction flake 1 quartz utilized flake 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 2 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 blue tinted whiteware fragment
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 5 residual coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz PPIK tip
106

Shovel Test 4 Shovel Test 5
Shovel Test 6 Shovel Test 7
Shovel Test 8 Shovel Test 9 Shovel Test 10 Shovel Test 11 Shovel Test 12 Shovel Test 13 Shovel Test 14 Shovel Test 15

1 residual very coarse tempered sherd 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 1 ud complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd 3 plain whiteware fragments 1 kettle leg
1 residual fine/med tempered sherds 1 plain whiteware fragment
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 ud complicated stamped very coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 5 residual coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 ud complicated stamped very coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 plain fine/med tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 1 residual fine/med tempered sherd 1 Savannah complicated stamped sherd
1 plain very coarse tempered sherd

107

9HK157

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-15 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 122 m Length: 60 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed/planted food plot Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 30 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

o Gull;es o

(

P(Jsop/le

\.l:/

Low

F/oodp/o/;' /

~

N
o= Azom
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel TI~st
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.157 is a prehistoric artifact scatter at the gullied end of a narrow ridge nose. The site is located just above the floodplain of Whitten Creek, and extends from a small, grassy foodplot into the surrounding mixed hardwood forest. Artifacts were retrieved from the surface of the foodplot, and from two shovel tests to the east. Soil profiles in the shovel tests consisted of 10-15 em of greyish brown sandy loam plowzone over reddish brown clay.

The modest artifact assemblage is dominated by lithic debitage, but also includes a few tools (Figure 46). The presence of a few sherds dates the site to the Woodland or Mississippian period. Given the fact that a few of the flakes are heavily patinated, it seems likely that an earlier, Archaic component may also be present.

Site 9HK.157 has been heavily disturbed by cultivation, grading, and erosion. This disturbance, coupled with the generally low artifact density, reduces the likelihood of preserved features. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Left: Possible Woodland or Mississippian triangular PPIK fragment. Right: Unidentified ovate Biface.
Figure 46. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK157. Shown actual size.

108

Surface
Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quartz shatter 1 metavolcanic late reduction flake 1-3 cm 6 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 2 quartz PP/Ks 1 residual fme/med tempered sherd 2 plain coarse tempered sherds
1 metavolcanic late reduction flake 1-3 cm 2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert shatter 1 plain fine/med tempered sherd

109

9HK158

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 80 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 70% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 5 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Potentially

o
PU$,oi/es
o
N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

On a ridge nose to the north of Whitten Creek, site 9HK158 consists of a prehistoric artifact scatter. The area around the site has been graded and eroded, as evidenced by numerous push piles and gullies. Artifacts were found on the surface of these disturbed areas. In addition, five of the 14 shovel tests that were excavated in the area were positive. Although the topsoil layer was thin in most of these tests, the soils in a small cluster of hardwoods were better preserved, with 20 to 25 cm of plowzone remaining above the red clay subsoil.

The artifact assemblage from the site includes almost equal numbers of sherds and lithics. Although none of these are truly diagnostic, the temper and thickness of the sherds suggests that they date to either Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. The site could represent a small homestead related to one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site.

Although most of site 9HK158 has been destroyed, a small portion appears to be intact. The recovery of up to five sherds in one of the shovel tests indicates that the deposits in this area may be fairly substantial. There is a strong possibility of preserved sub-plowzone features. As a result, we recommend that site 9HK158 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

110

Figure 47. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK158.

Surface
Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 quartz shatter
2 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 curvilinear complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd
1 residual fine/med tempered rim sherd (possibly pinched)
3 residual coarse tempered sherds 2 plain coarse tempered sherds
1 plain fine/med tempered sherd
2 plain fine/med tempered sherds

111

9HK159

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-1? County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 146 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50-60% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

J
[learct.l.

Eroded

N

A o
=

10m

. . Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK159 is a small prehistoric lithic scatter on an eroded, clearcut ridge nose. A small quantity of quartz was recovered from the surface of the site, but two shovel tests within the limits of the scatter were negative. The soil profiles in these tests indicate that only about 10 cm of topsoil remain above the red clay subsoil.

The low artifact density suggests that the site was a hunting locale, or perhaps a briefly occupied camp site. However, it is possible that the site was more substantial prior to the disturbances from cultivation and logging. In any case, site 9HK159 retains little integrity. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz Stage 1 preform
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz utilized flake

112

9HK160

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: B-18 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 6 m

Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No

\

Positive ST: 3

Negative ST: 2

Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o 20m
=

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.160 is located on a well-defined ridge spur above a small tributary of Whitten Creek. The site consists of a subsurface prehistoric lithic scatter.

Artifacts were recovered from the 8-10 cm of plowzone in three of the five shovel tests that were excavated on the landform. The small artifact assemblage includes one quartz point base, which appears to be a Late Archaic stemmed type.

The low artifact density suggests that site 9HK.160 represents a specialized activity area or short term camp site. Given that the landform has been severely eroded and is cut by a large gully, there is little possibility that features are present and preserved on the site. Accordingly, we recommend site 9HK160 ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K fragment

Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quart early reduction flake > 3 cm

113

9HK161

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-19 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 148 m Length: 80 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Strearn/l Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Potentially

o
If Eroded o

~ Sfee;:>
f
/

N/

A o
=

20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK161 is a relatively large prehistoric artifact scatter on a wooded ridge nose on the south side of Whitten Creek. Four of the 13 shovel tests on the landform produced artifacts from 13-30 cm thick plowzone layer.

Overall artifact density on the site was low, with a maximum of three sherds in any single test. The assemblage is small, but the sherds appear to be typical of the Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian periods.

The fact that the site is almost 80 m long suggests that there could be areas of higher artifact density that were missed by our shovel testing. The site could represent an outlying house or farmstead associated with one or more of the occupations at the Shoulderbone site. We recommend that additional testing should be conducted to assess the integrity and research potential of the site. Until such testing can be completed, we recommend that site 9HK161 should be considered potentially eligible to the National Register.

114

Figure 48. View to the West of Site 9HK161 from ST 1.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered rim sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds

115

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-20 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 60 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streaml3 Distance to Water: 110 m Elevation above Water: 15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: < 1%
Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK162

Gradva/ S/<pe

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK162 is a prehistoric artifact scatter approximately 200 m south of the Shoulderbone site, on a wooded ridge nose to the south of Whitten Creek. Shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals across the site along several transects. Four of the thirteen shovel tests were positive, with each producing artifacts from the 8-25 cm of plowzone.

Although artifact density was light overall, Shovel Test 2 yielded 10 sherds. One of these was a Lamar Fine Incised sherd. Such fine incising is typical of the Bell phase, but occurs in small quantities in the preceding Dyar phase as well (Smith 1981:96).

As a possible Late Lamar homestead, site 9HK162 has considerable research potential. The site is relatively intact, and there is a strong possibility that features could be present below the plowzone. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Figure 49. Lamar Incised Sherd from ST 2 on 9HK162. Shown actual size.

116

Figure 50. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK162.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2
Shovel Test 3

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
4 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 Lamar Fine Incised tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd

117

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-21 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 134 m Length: 50 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Probable well Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: >2% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded/razed
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK163
Reid

l'
o
ffeldsrol7l'$;
:'Ck~
~... A \
o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK.163 is a historic artifact scatter and probable house site on an upland slope that has been graded and is now very eroded. The site is located on the edge of a hay field, in an area of hardwoods. Eleven shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals along two perpendicular transects. Two of these tests, both near a large oak tree, were positive. These produced a modest collection of historic ceramics, glass, and nails. The collection dates the site to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.

Apart from a few scattered fieldstones, no structural remains were observed on the site, suggesting that whatever structure that once stood in this location was probably razed. Although the structure is not apparent on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, there does appear to be a small cluster of hardwoods in this location, surrounded by plowed fields. A 1940 county road map prepared by the State Highway Board of Georgia documents one dwelling in this general area. Site 9HK163 represents the most likely location for this dwelling.

As a poorly preserved example of a common variety of cultural resource, site 9HK.163 is unlikely to contribute any significant, new information. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2

2 wire nails 2 ud nails 1 ud metal machinery part 1 brown bottle glass fragment 1 clear bottle glass fragment I window glass fragment 1 brown slip glazed stoneware fragment
1 ud metal

118

9HK164

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-22 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 120 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 30 m Elevation above Water: 5 rn
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-5 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 6 Negative ST: 4 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/graded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

"~_"'o-/ !fI~d

..;:~

. X0~0"""/ /

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_

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......

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o

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-

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l

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0"

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'-'\\

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"

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Located on a narrow finger ridge, site 9HK164 is a relatively long, but narrow prehistoric lithic scatter. Six of the ten shovel tests that were excavated at 20 m intervals along a single transect across the landform were positive. In addition, a small quantity of artifacts was recovered from the surface of a small road that crosses the ridge. The resulting artifact assemblage consists primarily of non-diagnostic quartz and chert reduction debris. The presence of one small fragment of soapstone may indicate that the site dates to the Late Archaic period.

In contrast with the eroded clay topsoils that were so typical of the project area, those on site 9HK164 consisted primarily of relatively deep sands. This sandy topsoil generally gave way to a sandy clay subsoil layer from 15-45 cm below the ground surface.

With reasonably high artifact density and well preserved soils in a few of the shovel tests, site 9HK164 could produce significant information regarding the Late Archaic period occupation of the project area. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 em 5 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 1

1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 119

Figure 51. View to the West of Site 9HK164 from Shovel Test 3.

Shovel Test 3
Shovel Test 4 Shovel Test 5 Shovel Test 6

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz shatter
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 g ground soapstone 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake
1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake
2 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3

120

9HK165

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Saddle Elevation: 146 m Length: 10 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Pasture/hayfield Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: N/A Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

o

IIi/Hop

o

-,..e2.. '

I

\

o

'.. o

'Saddle
I\ el

lII

o

_~

o
\

N
o=fA.. 20m
Positive Shovel Test
- -o Negative Shovel Test Site Limi~ ._.

Site 9HK165 is a light scatter of historic artifacts possibly related to the previously described house site (9HK163). The site is located just to the north of State Road 77, on a ridge top saddle in a hayfield.

The site consists of two positive shovel tests, each of which produced a small quantity of historic artifacts from the 10 em thick plowzone layer. Seven additional shovel tests excavated at 20 m intervals in a cruciform pattern were all negative.

No houses are evident in this location on documentary sources, and no structural remains or historic vegetation were observed in the field. Site 9HK165 probably represents an isolated scatter of trash related to the nearby house site on 9HK164. As such, it is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 melted clear bottle glass fragment

Shovel Test 2

2 ud nails

121

9HK166

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-24 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Drainage Elevation: 157 m Length: 25 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Saw mill Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Undisturbed Percent Disturbance: None Eligibility: Ineligible

o
q "- ,- '- ...
" 0--r-r1i
: pL.f?;

I I

\

i - : - - - - 4 - Sawdusf p/ie

....,

J\ I

,-~

\'0, .... '0 \\
\

N
A 0=' 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Te,st
Site Limits

Site 9HK166 includes the remains of an early to middle twentieth century portable saw mill. The site consists of a large pile of sawdust, measuring about 10 m in diameter and 3 m high. This is bordered by two smaller piles of dirt and an L-shaped trench. Two Quaker State oil cans were observed at the end of the trench, but were not collected.

As a relic of the early days of commercial timber harvesting, site 9HK166 is of.minor historical interest. However, it is unlikely to contribute any significant, new information. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

122

9HK167

'Location/Environment

Field Site Number: C-l County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 171 m Length: 55 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: StreamJ2 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 30 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK167 is a surface scatter of quartz lithics in a clearcut. The site is located on a knoll on a ridge nose, above the confluence of several drainage heads.

The artifact collection from the site consists primarily of early and late reduction debitage. Quartz cobbles are abundant in this portion of the project area, and the site probably represents a primary workshop where these cobbles were reduced to preforms or fInished tools. One fInished biface fragment appears to be the base of a Late Archaic stemmed PPIK.

A single shovel test excavated within the limits of the surface scatter was negative, and indicated that very little topsoil remains on the site. As a specialized tool production location that is now heavily eroded and disturbed, site 9HK167 is not likely to produce any important new information. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Figure 52. Quartz PP/K Fragment from the Surface of 9HK167. Shown actual size.

Surface

7 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
15 quartz early reduction flakes> 3 cm 2 quartz shatter
3 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
21 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 3 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm 1 quartz PPIK 1 quartz unidentifIed biface fragment

123

9HK168

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-2 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 158 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock mound Closest Water: Strearnll Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 7 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 65% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

Slope

I ~.

"..... ..... .....

.....

I

~N

-0-" ..... ..... .... ....

it
::

I
/

A o 10m

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK168 consists of a scatter of rock piles across a clearcut ridge slope. The seven small piles all measure less than five meters in diameter and no more than 30 cm high. They are constructed of loosely stacked, unworked quartz cobbles.

Despite adequate surface visibility, no artifacts were observed on the site, and a single shovel test was sterile. The site has been disturbed by logging, and is heavily eroded. Better preserved rock pile sites are common in the project area, and we have selected a few for protection or additional testing. We recommend that site 9HK168 is ineligible to the National Register.

124

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-3 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Slope Elevation: 168 m Length: 90 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Stream/3 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 35 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 25 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK169

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Oearcvr

H;xed lIardwoods and Pines

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK169 is another rock pile scatter approximately 100 m northwest of the previously described site. Like most of the stone features in the survey area, those on site 9HK169 consist of haphazardly piled quartz cobbles measuring less than five meters in diameter and under 50 cm high. We noted a total of five piles on this site.
The site is located on a clearcut ridge slope that afforded some surface visibility. No artifacts were located, and the single shovel test that we excavated on the site was negative.
The rock piles on site 9HK169 are typical of those that have proven to be the product of historic land clearing activities (Gresham 1990). In addition, the piles on this site have been disturbed by logging and erosion. While other rock piles in the survey tract merit protection or additional testing, these do not. We therefore recommend site 9HK169 ineligible to the National Register.

125

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-4 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope/hill/ridge top Elevation: 158 m Length: 100 m Width: 100 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Rock mound/sawmill Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 13 m
Collections/Condition .
Surface Exposure: 20% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 1 Negative ST: 4 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK170

,\"

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0\
\

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Rie

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. "'~::~ ::.~~ ~'" Q.

N
A o= 20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK170, which stretches over 100 m across a forested ridge top and adjacent slope, includes what would appear to be three unrelated components. The first component consists of the remains of a portable saw mill from the early or middle twentieth century. This component is represented by a large sawdust pile and adjacent trench. This component is of limited historical interest, but is not likely to produce any significant information through additional testing due to the fact that this type of site is well documented.

The second component on the site consists of an isolated prehistoric lithic. This is represented by a single crystal quartz late reduction flake (1-3 cm) recovered from one of the five shovel tests on the site. This component is also unlikely to contribute any substantial information, due largely to the sparsity of the deposits.

Finally, the site includes a scatter of small rock piles. Like most of the other stone features in the survey area, these are small, low piles of quartz cobbles. At least fourteen such piles are present on the site, with most of these clustered on the ridge top or the slope to the east. While the piles appear similar to the type of stone features associated with historic agricultural activities (Gresham 1990), this is impossible to prove on the basis of the survey data. As one of the largest and best preserved examples of a rock pile cluster in the project area, we recommend that this component on site 9HK170 should be protected. Therefore, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

126

Figure 53. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK170. Note the rock pile in the foreground. 127

9HK171

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-5 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 183 m Length: 50 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Strearnll Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 100% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/destroyed Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

--_.... ----

'" '\

o

\

I

......... .... _----- " --~

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.171 is a lithic scatter on a ridge nose to the west of a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The site is located in a clearcut and is now heavily eroded, resulting in almost complete surface visibility.

The surface collection from the site includes modest quantities of quartz and chert debitage, as well as a few tools. Two of the latter appear to be Late Archaic point bases (Figure 54). One shovel test excavated within the limits of the surface scatter was negative, and confirmed that only a few centimeters of topsoil remain on the site.

Site 9HK.171 appears to represent a small camp site. It may have been more substantial prior to being plowed and timbered. Now, however, the site lacks integrity and research potential. Due to the degree of disturbance, we recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Figure 54. Late Archaic PP/K Fragments from the Surface of Site 9HK171. Shown actual size.

Surface

3 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
3 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
2 quartz shatter

128

7 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
7 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
4 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K 1 Coastal Plain chert PP/K 1 metavolcanic utilized flake
129

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-6 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 149 m Length: 25 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Streaml2 Distance to Water: IS m Elevation above Water: 1 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK172

/ ; / ...

~ ~ .".. --,,

..' 0: / " ze\\.

(

... /

.I

J '\'<2)

/
f

-I
1.1

\

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/ . _ '. %.
,\.,~ ~~

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits
Site 9HK172 is located in a hardwood bottom in the northwestern comer of the survey tract. The site is situated on a toe slope elevated just above a small, unnamed tributary of Lundy Creek.

Two of the three shovel tests that were excavated on the small landform were positive. Each produced quartz lithics from the topsoil layer, which was deeper and siltier here than elsewhere in the project area. Both tests encountered subsoil at 35-40 cm below the ground surface.

Site 9HK172 likely represents a small camp spot. The fact that all of the debitage is quartz, and that no tools are represented in the assemblage, would seem to indicate that it was only briefly occupied. The possibility of features in association with such a site is remote. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

2 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

130

9HK173

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-7 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 162 m Length: 120 m Width: 80 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream!1 Distance to Water: 130 m Elevation above Water: 25 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 80% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

II

I 1'd

I \

I\:.:.;..'

I\~

\

\\

\\

\' \\
\\
-- I ~'\\~\,'\.... ........... .... ,

\ \' 0

\

, --- \ --\"\"-,,\-

I
./

\\ \.
\\

N
A o= 40m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK173 is a sparse artifact scatter on a clearcut ridge top. A small number of lithics and a single sherd were collected from the surface of the site, but one shovel test excavated within the limits of the scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test indicated that only about 5 cm of red sandy clay topsoil remain above the subsoil.

The sherd from the site would appear to be either a Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian type, based on its temper and thickness. The site probably represents an isolated activity area rather than any type of more permanent residence, given the low artifact density. However, it is possible that scatter was more substantial prior to the disturbances from cultivation, logging, and erosion. In any case the site is now severely disturbed. Due to this loss of integrity, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K (medial/distal) 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd (Lamar)

131

9HK174

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-8 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland flat Elevation: 149 m Length: 40 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Drainage headll Distance to Water: 240 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

-o Pro/ecf Boundary

--- 0 / '"

/

" I

e4'

I

I

I

\

\

......
\
\ e3 \
I
I
J

e2

el I 0

/

--~ '"

0 Plon/ed P/pes

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK174 is a prehistoric pottery scatter on a flat ridge top. Vegetation on the site consists of a planted pine forest. The site is bordered to the south and west by an erosional gully, but appears otherwise reasonably intact.

Four of the eleven shovel tests that were excavated in the general area of the site were positive. Each of these yielded one or two artifacts from the plowzone, a 5-15 cm thick layer of reddish brown sandy clay above the red clay subsoil.

Although artifact density was light, the fact that four adjacent shovel tests were positive would seem to indicate that the site may be more substantial. None of the sherds is diagnostic, but a few resemble Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian types in regard to their temper and thickness. As a possible outlying settlement related to the Shoulderbone site, this artifact scatter could have significant research potential. We recommend that site 9HK174 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

132

Figure 55. View to the West-Southwest of Site 9HK174.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 plain fme/med tempered sherd 1 plain coarse tempered sherd

133

9HK175

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-9 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 149 m Length: 30 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 350 m Elevation above Water: 25 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 5% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

o
N
A
lbJ,5rn Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Also located in a forest of planted pine, site 9HK175 consists of a light scatter of prehistoric sherds and a single chert flake. The site was identified in two of the nine shovel tests that were excavated at 15 m intervals along two perpendicular transects. Soil profiles indicated that the site is heavily eroded, with only 5-10 cm of topsoil remaining.

The small artifact assemblage includes two curvilinear complicated stamped sherds that can be typed as either Savannah or Lamar Complicated Stamped. These types would date the site to either the Middle or Late Mississippian, respectively.

The low artifact density indicates that the site either represents a very brief occupation, or has been severely damaged by erosion. In any case, it now retains only very limited research potential. We therefore recommend that site 9HK175 is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flake 1 residual fine/med tempered sherd 2 unidentified curvilinear complicated stamped fme/med
tempered sherds (Savannah or Lamar)

Shovel Test 2

1 residual fine/med tempered sherd

134

9HK176

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-lO County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: lSI m Length: 15 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streaml2 Distance to Water: 15 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: I Negative ST: 4 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

~

o

\

\

\

~

,.o- ....,

/

\ ~I
\ . / ,0Ii ~\ \ ... I / \ \ ,-_....

:~
b~
.1':)'

\

~0

:

/\'y\!0)", A



posioti~e101mTest

\ \

~~

----- .. ' -

o Negative Shovel Test.:?A \

Site Limits

/

'. \\

Site 9HK176 is a small pottery scatter on a toe slope in the northwestern comer of the survey tract. The site is located in a bottomland hardwood forest, just above a small tributary of Lundy Creek.

The site is limited to a single positive shovel test which produced three plain sherds. Four nearby shovel tests were negative. Moreover, despite good visibility conditions, no artifacts were identified in a nearby field road.

The ceramics from site 9HK176 can only be broadly dated to the Woodland or Mississippian periods. The paucity of artifacts indicates that the site may represent a specialized activity area, such as a plant or water collecting location. There is little possibility that features are present. As a result of its rather limited research potential, we recommend that site 9HK176 is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

3 plain coarse tempered sherds

135

9HK177

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-ll County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge side slope Elevation: 174 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

Kl1o// lOp

"-
\

I

\\ \\
\\ \\
\\ \\ \\ \\ \

,",.--,\ ,I ~ IfR!, - - \, \ -~- Rockplle

\

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\ \

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\

\\

... __ ,

Qt<fll--1

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/

\ i<::> \
\ ~\ \ <;:>.. \

\\

\\

N

So.del'e.

\ \ \\
\\
\\
\
\ '.

A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK177 consists of two small rock piles on a ridge side slope. The piles are located in a clearcut that afforded relatively good surface visibility at the time of our survey. No artifacts were observed on the site.

The two piles on site 9HK177 are small, measuring less than three meters in diameter and under a meter in height. Although it is impossible to interpret on the basis of survey data alone, the size and method of construction of these piles resembles that of historic agricultural features, rather than that of the more substantial stone constructions of the prehistoric period (Gresham 1990). We have recommended additional testing or protection for several of the larger and better preserved rock pile sites in the survey tract. As a poor example of a common type of site, we recommend that site 9HK177 is ineligible to the National Register.

136

9HK178

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-12 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 162 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 60 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/destroyed
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

-"o
, ".- .cB;o \

I

'"'{JY \

~' Rockpi/e

~\~@'

I
/

.... - "

o

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK178 is also comprised of rock piles. This cluster includes three piles on a small, wooded ridge nose near the northwestern comer of the survey tract. Two shovel tests, one on either side of the rock pile cluster, were negative. The soil profiles in these tests indicated that the landform is considerably eroded due to cultivation.

Two of the three stone features on the site are small, roughly circular piles typical of the project area. These measure less than three meters in diameter and under a meter high. The last pile is more linear, possibly as the result of disturbance from logging or cultivation.

Only excavation can prove for certain whether the rock piles on site 9HK178 are the result of prehistoric or historic activities, and even this may be inconclusive. However, the size and method of construction of the piles is more typical of stone features from the historic period (Gresham 1990).

As one of the poorer examples of a type of site that is very common in the survey area, we recommend that site 9HK178 has very limited research potential. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

137

9HK179

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-13 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 174 m Length: 80 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 6 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

\

\\
\\

\

, - ---r\-..\\

// ~ \~,

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I \R~de
",43iffio.
",,""

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\ \ '\
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~

\ \

" '\

\

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\ ..... \

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,

";lj\

'\

"

\ <::> \ Rockpile

,\''%~\....... \\ . . " \

, \

......
\

....

"}

' - " \ \

\

\ \ \ \

AN

\ \ 0= 10m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

Site 9HK179 is another cluster of rock piles. This cluster is located near the western boundary of the survey area, on a clearcut knoll. The site is bisected by a small field or logging road. Despite good surface visibility at the time of our survey, no artifacts were identified on the site.

Three rock piles are present on site 9HK179. Each of these is less than five meters in diameter and under a meter in height. The piles are haphazardly constructed of small, unmodified quartzite cobbles.

The piles resemble historic agricultural features in regard to their size and method of construction. This, coupled with the absence of any prehistoric artifacts, strongly suggests that the stone features on site 9HK179 were constructed as the land was cleared for cultivation in the nineteenth century. We recommend that the site has little research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

138

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-14 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: HiIl/ridge top Elevation: 180 m Length: 10 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Drainage head Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK180
Knoll
Top

510/?
/

,....v
o ~'~~1 \
......." 0

Rockpl/e

Ridge lOp

SMpe/ //

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK180 consist of a single rock pile on a wooded ridge top. Like most of those in the project area, this pile is small and constructed of carelessly stacked quartzite cobbles. Shovel tests excavated on either side of the pile were negative, and indicated that the landform is heavily eroded due to years of cultivation.
We have recommended that several of the rock pile sites in the project area should be tested or protected from development. The stone feature on site 9HK180 is insubstantial, and the site as a whole is poorly preserved. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

139

9HK181

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-15 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 127 m Length: 55 m Width: 35 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/4 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 3 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

o

, '/.02" ' ,\

I

1

1

0J

I

I

o

\

I

- o \ / ;0 ....

o

o

o

N

o A. 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

\

Site Limits

\

Located about 200 m to the south of the Shoulderbone site on the opposite side of Whitten Creek, site 9HK181 consists of a small prehistoric artifact scatter. The site is located on a fairly broad ridge nose within a mixed upland forest (Figure 56).

Only two of the nine shovel tests that were excavated at 15 m intervals across the site were positive. However, each of these positive tests yielded three or four sherds. Artifacts were recovered from the thin (6-7 em) plowzone layer that remains above the red clay subsoil.

The ceramics that we recovered from the site are not diagnostic to phase, but can be generally dated to the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. The site may represent a limited activity area, but could be an outlying house or farmstead related to one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. If the latter is the case, there is a possibility that features could be present below the plowzone. Additional research should be conducted to investigate this possibility. We recommend that site 9HK181 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 residual fine/med tempered sherd 1 residual coarse tempered sherd 2 plain coarse tempered sherds

Shovel Test 2

1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 2 plain coarse tempered sherds

140

Figure 56. View to the South of Site 9HK181. 141

9HK182

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: C-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 55 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Pasture Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter/historic occ. Closest Water: Stream/4 Distance to Water: 360 m Elevation above Water: 27 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: Unknown Eligibility: Ineligible

,:I

\
\
\

o

:0

\ ...;:";

o ,'.3 \\

.2, I
~.I

\o

o

\ ....

-",1

Pas/tire

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test Negative Shovel Test Site Limits

Site 9HK.182, which is located in a pasture or hay field on the south side of Whitten Creek, consists of a subsurface scatter of prehistoric and historic artifacts. The site lies on a knoll on a broad ridge nose.

Shovel tests were excavated at 10 m intervals on two perpendicular transects. Four of the thirteen tests were positive, with each of these producing artifacts from the approximately 10 cm thick plowzone layer which lay directly atop subsoil.

The primary component on the site appears to be a prehistoric artifact scatter dating to the Middle or Late Mississippian period. Artifacts related to this component are sparse, indicating that the site may have been the location of a brief occupation associated with specialized activities. Features are not likely on a site of this type.

The historic component is even more limited, consisting of two isolated wire nails in Shovel Test 2. These artifacts may be related to a nearby house site (9HKI63). There were no indications that a structure was located on this site.

Both of the components on site 9HK182 lack research potential. For this reason, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

142

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
1 quartz PP/K (medial/distal)
1 quartz PP/K 2 wire nails
1 plain coarse tempered sherd
2 plain coarse tempered sherds

143

9HK183

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-17 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 143 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Pasture Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 17 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 5 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

\ I I \ \

o

,s. ... ,o
I .' \

' o

\
o,

.2

\ I:,'

.
..

......I "

o

Wooded

o
Poslure

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK183 is a small lithic scatter in a pasture in the southeastern comer of the survey tract. The site is located on the edge of a broad ridge nose.

Shovel tests were excavated at approximately 20 m intervals across the site in a cruciform pattern. Only two of the ten tests were positive. One of these produced a few fragments of quartz debitage, and the other yielded a core fragment that may have been used as a chopper.

The site is reasonably well preserved, with a sandy clay plowzone layer that extended to a depth of about 15 cm below the ground surface. However, the site appears to be the residue of a single, brief occupation, probably an isolated hunting camp or kill site. As such, it is not likely to contain features. We recommend that site 9HK183 is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz chopper

144

9HK184

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-18 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Slope Elevation: 177 m Length: 140 m Width: 110 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 6 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

-_-> --- " .....

.............
"

,

,

-

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--

-

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......

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'-

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....................

... ......
......

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-

Rock ?tIe. ....

I
I
I

\ ~"\

I
(
\

" ~ ~ J
~/

./

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK184 includes a scatter of approximately 12 rock piles on a ridge side slope. The site has been clearcut, and is now heavily eroded.

Surface visibility on the site was limited by logging debris and secondary growth. Although no shovel tests were excavated within the rock pile scatter, many were excavated in the surrounding area and no sites were encountered.

The rock piles on site 9HK184 are typical of most of those in the survey area, consisting of small rocks piled carelessly to a height of no more than a meter. The piles measure less than 5 m in diameter at their bases.

Archeological testing of small rock piles such as these has demonstrated that they are more often associated with historic era agricultural practices than with prehistoric ceremonial activities. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

145

9HK185

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-19 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 149 m Length: 60 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Pasture Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 10 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

Paslun=.

0

.-"- o o

0

...... ...... .. ......

" \1

./ /. " ' . 3

./ ------
~

/ ".'/ .1

/ '"

/

",

I .2

Wooded. ......:''. \,

: . . .- :.~" ~.-

.'

.

Y o

. :.' .::

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.... ' 0."

o

6"~#

".: >.:.... ~ 0

7' ~om7,. ~ Positive Shovel Test

. ' : .::

~

o Negative Shovel Test

' . '::"

Site Limits

' , , : : :". : ... '::.: : .... 0' .'

Site 9HK185 is located near the southeastern limits of the survey tract, in a pasture or hay field (Figure 57). The site consists of a subsurface scatter of both prehistoric and historic artifacts.

Fourteen shovel tests were excavated on the site, with most of these located at 20 m intervals on two perpendicular transects. Of the four tests that were positive, three produced prehistoric artifacts and two produced historic material. Artifacts were confmed to the 20-25 cm of sandy plowzone that lay atop the sandy clay subsoil.

The historic component on site 9HK185 includes a very small collection of ceramics, glass, and metal. This material may be related to a nearby house site (9HKI65). There were no indications of a structure on this site. As an isolated scatter of debris from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, this component is not likely to contribute any substantitive information.

The prehistoric component on the site is also generally low in artifact density. However, Shovel Test 3 produced seven sherds and three lithics, indicating that there could be more substantial deposits on the site. This component could represent an outlying house or farmstead related to the Late Mississippian occupation of the Shoulderbone site. Based on the merits of this prehistoric component, we recommend that site 9HK185 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

146

Figure 57. View to the North of Site 9HK185.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3
Shovel Test 4

1 chalcedony late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 chalcedony late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 umdentifiednIDlfra~en~
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 chalcedony scraper 2 residual coarse tempered sherds 3 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 umdentified complicated stamped sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 1 plain whiteware fragment
1 clear flat glass fra~ent

147

Artifact Occurrences

Twenty-one artifact occurrences were identified on this survey. Occurrences are defined as any location with less than three artifacts on the surface or only one positive shovel test with less than three artifacts. Occurrences were examined with the same intensity as actual sites. If a shovel test yielded artifacts, or if artifacts were found on the surface, additional shovel tests were excavated to try to locate more artifacts or determine if a larger site was present. Many artifact occurrences represent activities similar to those of actual sites, but exhibit such low artifact density or are so highly disturbed that no other artifacts could be found. Other occurrences may reflect very limited activity, such as the loss of a single projectile point. These types of occurrences can, at least in some instances, contribute to our understanding of settlement and land use. Many occurrences, however, are merely artifacts displaced some distance from their original point of deposition by relatively modem disturbances like cultivation and road grading. Table 4 lists the 21 occurrences identified on this survey. None of these are considered significant resources, and all 21 are ineligible to the National Register.

Table 4. Artifact Occurrences.
~-
A-I 309660 3696000 surface

1 Coastal Plain chert core fra ent

A-2 309570 3695450 shovel test

1 lain whiteware

A-3 309510 3695080 shovel test

A-4 309480 3696740 surface

2 lain whiteware

A-5 309440 3696680 surface

1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm

A-6 309210 3696810 shovel test

1 uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

A-8 309530 3694310 surface

2 lain fine/medium tern ered sherds

A-9 309730 3694350 surface

A-12 309920 3694460 shovel test

lain fine/medium tern ered sherd

A-14 309470 3694110 surface

B-2 309120 3696460 B-4 309040 3696660

surafce surface

uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
uartz late reduction flake < 1 cm

B-5 309130 3694690 shovel test

1 utilized Coastal Plain chert flake

B-6 309310 3694570 shovel test

uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

B-7 308830 3695820 surface

B-8 309330 3696050 shovel test

1 folded, inched rim sherd

C-l 308550 3696820 shovel test

uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

C-2 308480 3697230 shovel test

1 lain whiteware

C-3 308610 3695500 surface

C-4 309000 3695380 shovel test

C-5 308900 3695010 shovel test 1 curv. compo stamped coarse tempered sherd

unidentified rehistoric lithic 19th/20th centur
unidentified rehistoric lithic 19th/20th centu
unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic Woodland or Mississi ian Woodland or Mississi ian Woodland or Mississi ian unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic Woodland or Mississi ian Late Mississi ian (Lamar) unidentified rehistoric lithic late 19th120th centu historic unidentified rehistoric lithic
Mississi ian Middle or Late Mississippian

148

SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE PROJECT AREA
The survey covered 457 ha (1130 ac) and identified 72 previously unreported sites and 21 artifact occurrences. Including the only previously identified site in the project area (the Shoulderbone mound and village complex), this results in a density of 20. 6 cultural resources (sites and occurrences) per km2. This is a higher density than has been observed in the shovel test surveys of wooded areas of the Oconee National Forest. For example, King (1992) and Price and Wood (1991) report densities of only 13.8 and 7.4 cultural resources/km2, respectively. The density of cultural resources in the Shoulderbone tract is more comparable to those of clearcut surveys in the Oconee Valley. Freer (1989), for example, noted a density of26.0 cultural resources/km2 on tracts in Oglethorpe County. Chamblee's (1996) recent survey of the Fishing Creek tract identified 24.3 site/km2 Finally, Elliott (1981a) noted 20.5 cultural resources/km2 on his survey of the Finch's tract.
The relatively small size of the survey and the paucity of diagnostic artifacts that were recovered from our sample limit the conclusions that can be drawn concerning settlement patterns in the project area. Even at this level of analysis, however, several broad patterns can be discerned. Toward this end, Table 5 presents a breakdown of the number and relative frequency of components in the project area by type or period.
Table 5. Number and Frequency of Various Component Types or Periods in the Shoulderbone Tract.

rock pile(s)

18

unidentified prehistoric lithic scatter

23

Middle Archaic

1

Late Archaic

4

unidentified prehistoric artifact scatter

5

(Woodland or Mississippian)

Middle Mississippian (Savannah)

6

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

13

unidentified Middle or Late Mississippian

18

nineteenth/twentieth century historic

18

TOTAL

106

17.0 21.7 0.9 3.8 4.7
5.7 12.3 17.0 17.0 100.0

149

Archaic and Unidentified Lithic Components
As Table 5 demonstrates, unidentified lithic scatters are the most common of any of the individual component types in the project area. The earliest diagnostic lithic in the project area is a Morrow Mountain point from site 9HK126. This represents the single Middle Archaic component in the tract. Slightly more Late Archaic diagnostic artifacts were recovered, but these too were limited to a small number of sites (N =4) (9HKI43, 9HK147, 9HK149, and 9HKI71).
The locations of sites and occurrences that included Archaic or unidentified lithic components are indicated in Figure 58. In contrast with many of the other component types, these are fairly evenly distributed throughout the project area, with no apparent clustering. Lithic sites display little preference for particular types of landforms, occurring as often in the uplands of the project area as along Whitten Creek or its tributaries.
Rock Pile Components
Rock piles were also fairly common in the Shoulderbone tract, with at least one stone construction noted on one-fourth of the 72 sites that were recorded as a result of the survey. The locations of all of the sites containing rock piles are indicated in Figure 59. Interestingly, and perhaps significantly, all of these sites are located in the northern half of the project area, and most are clustered in an approximately 1 km 2 area that is predominantly recent clearcut. This clustering could be interpreted as another line of evidence supporting the argument that most of the piles in the project area are historic, as a series of such features might be expected in an old agricultural field. The 1942 USDA aerial photograph depicts this area as sparsely vegetated, suggesting that it may have been a field that has been allowed to go fallow.
However, it is also possible that the cluster of rock piles in this section of the project area resulted from the use of locally occurring material by prehistoric peoples. It is worth noting that, in addition to the famous Rock Eagle effigy mound in neighboring Putnam County, several other rock constructions in the immediate vicinity of the project area have also apparently proven to be prehistoric features. C.C. Jones (1877) noted the recovery of "human bones and relics of various sorts" from rock mounds in the Eatonton area. In addition, Lawson (1990) cites an 1882 account by Benjamin W. Kent of Eatonton, Georgia, which chronicles the recovery of artifacts and bones from several rock mounds in the Eatonton area.
Historic Period Components
Relativ~ to their ubiquity across much of the Piedmont, historic components were infrequent in the project area. Most of the historic components that were identified consist of isolated artifacts or specialized activity areas such as saw mills or, in one case, a still. Only five of the eighteen total historic components appear to represent actual house locations. The resulting density of house sites (1. lIkm2) , although low, is roughly comparable to that which has been observed by Price and Wood (1991) on a survey of portions of the Oconee National Forest (1.5/lan2). Historic components were found throughout the project area, but were somewhat more common in the southern end of the Shoulderbone tract, near S.R. 77 (Figure 60).
150

N

A

1,

kIn

Figure 58. Location of Archaic and Unidentified Prehistoric Lithic Components in the Project Area.

151

N
o.......---A 1, kIn
152

N
A1 I
km
Figure 60. Location of Historic Period Components in the Project Area.
153

Woodland Period Components
Woodland period components appear to be scarce or nonexistent in the Shoulderbone tract. Although it is quite possible that some of the non-diagnostic ceramic scatters that were identified in the project area may date to this interval, the absence of any defmitive Woodland pottery suggests that this is not the case. The only possible diagnostic sherd from the Woodland period is a rather unusual incised ceramic from site 9HK114 which resembles Late Woodland or Early Mississippian Weeden Island types from the Gulf Coast area.
Mississippian Period Components
Cultural resources relating to the Mississippian period occupation of the Shoulderbone tract outnumber those from any other period of occupation. The total of 41 probable Mississippian sites and occurrences represents a density of 9.0 components per km2 This is slightly higher than the 7.6 components/km2 noted by Chamblee (1996) at the Fishing Creek tract, but lower than the 10.2 components/km2 observed by Elliott (1981a) on the Finch's survey.
As indicated in Figure 61, Mississippian components are clustered primarily in the southern third of the project area, in the area surrounding the Shoulderbone Mounds. With the exception of a few sites, however, these Mississippian components are not located immediately adjacent to the Shoulderbone site, but instead are scattered throughout the general area, typically on the larger expanses of flat ground above small tributaries of Whitten Creek. The greatest density of sites appears to be on the south side of Whitten Creek, in the vicinity of the historic period trail that followed the course of present-day S.R. 77.
Although some of the Mississippian components in the Shoulderbone tract consist of light scatters of artifacts that likely represent short term camp sites or other specialized activity areas, many others exhibited higher artifact density and clearly represent homesteads. In addition, a few of the larger Mississippian ceramic scatters could represent clusters of households. The excavations of similar Mississippian artifact scatters elsewhere in the Oconee Valley have resulted in the identification of house remains, as well as related features such as storage pits and burials (Hatch 1995; Ledbetter 1988).
Mississippian Ceramics from the Project Area
Before turning to a more detailed discussion of Mississippian settlement in the project area, it is necessary to review the pertinent ceramic data. Table 6 presents summary data for the ceramics from each of the pottery-producing sites and occurrences that we identified in the Shoulderbone tract. As the table demonstrates, the survey generated a total of 743 sherds from 41 cultural resources. This is a surprisingly high sherd density for a survey that relied largely on shovel testing. However, the pottery count is increased significantly by large collections from a few sites in clearcuts.
154

N
o,......---A 1, kID
Figure 61. Location of Mississippian Period Components in the Project Area.
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156

Figure 62 presents a breakdown of the frequency of occurrence of different ceramic decorative treatments on sites in the project area. Not surprisingly, plain pottery is the most common, occurring on 35 of the 41 pottery-producing cultural resources. If we consider the combined sherd assemblage from all of the cultural resources that were identified in the project area as a single analytical unit, we can see that plain pottery is also dominant in terms of overall numbers and percentages (Figure 63). Plain ceramics account for roughly threequarters of all of the non-residual body sherds.
The relative frequency of complicated stamping (including Savannah, Lamar, and unidentified) is also fairly substantial, with this category forming approximately one-fifth of the identifiable sherds. At least one complicated stamped sherd was present on 16 of the cultural resources identified in the survey area. Unfortunately, most of the designs were too eroded or sloppily applied to identify with any particular period. At least in general, however, the relatively high percentage of complicated stamping is more consistent with Savannah and Early Lamar occupation.
Lamar Incised pottery was retrieved from a total of 10 sites, but accounts for only
about 5 % of the non-residual body sherds. Medium incised sherds had the widest distribution
(N =7 sites), followed closely by bold incised (N =6 sites) and, to a lesser extent, fine incised (N =4 sites). However, in terms of overall sherd counts and percentages, bold incised was the most common.
The "other" categories in Figures 62 and 63 include one sherd each of unidentified incised, check stamped, and cob marked. The latter two types are associated with the Savannah period. Other minority Savannah types such as red filmed and cord marked were not identified in the assemblage. In addition, the minority Early Lamar type Morgan Incised was also conspicuously absent.
A variety of rim forms were noted in the sherd assemblage from the project area. Figure 64 compares the frequency of occurrence of these types on sites in the project area. Figure 65 contrasts the relative frequency of these decorative types as a percentage of the total number of rims.
Plain rims had the widest geographical distribution, appearing on six sites. However, pinched rims outnumbered plain in the overall assemblage. Punctate rims were also relatively common in the project area. Plain, pinched, and punctate rims are most commonly associated with the Savannah and Early Lamar periods, although they may also occur later in small quantities in the Middle and Late Lamar periods. Interestingly, there were no conspicuous rolled rims in the assemblage from the project area. This type is most common in the Savannah period.
Four rims, each from different cultural resources, appear to possibly be both folded and pinched, a style that is most often associated with the Late Lamar period. However, each of the sherds in question is fragmentary, and is possible that these "folded" rims are merely thickened and pinched.
157

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Figure 62. Frequency of Occurrence of Ceramic Decorative Categories on Sites in the Project Area.

other (0.41 %) medium incised (1.84%) complicated stamped (17.92%)
bold incised (3.07%)

plain (74.93%)

Figure 63. Sherds.

Ceramic Decorative Categories as Percentage of Total Identifiable 158

Cl)1O
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Figure 64. Frequency of Occurrence of Various Rim Treatments on Sites in the Project Area.

(9.09 %) folded/pinched

pinched (34.09%)-~JJiiiil

noded (2.27%)

(13.64%) rosette (2.27 %)
punctate

Figure 65. Rim Treatments as a Percentage of Total Rims from the Project Area. 159

Unfortunately, it is Table 7. Tentative Phase Designations for Selected Mississippian

difficult to precisely date Components.

many of the Mississippian

components in the Shoulderbone tract on the basis of the

[:!!1:1:!!1111[11:111I:11::::::1::11:11::!!::!:.::::11::1:'I::::;I[lri<l::[::::~I_itl.I.I_t![:]'I:]:III[I'iII::[[;:;:I![::[1.!;::

rather modest quantity of

9HKl14

Scull Shoals

artifacts that were recovered.

Iron Horse

However, based on the pres- 1 - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

ence or absence of certain

9HK122

Scull Shoals or Duvall

ceramic types, we can at

9HK127

Dvar or Bell

least offer tentative phase

9HK129

Iron Horse or Dvar

determinations for a few of

9HK130

S~l1ll Shn:lh: nr nnv:lll

the sites. Table 7 lists the sites for which we have attempted phase designations. In many cases the ceramic evidence allows

9HK131 9HK136 9HK132 9HK150

Dvar or Bell Scull Shoals or Duvall
Scull Shoals Dvar or Bell

for only a general appraisal

9HK151

Iron Horse or Dvar

into two possible phases.

9HKl55

Scull Shoals

Table 8 lists the totals for

9HK156

Scull Shoals

each category, as well as the percentage each category formed of the 16 total phases

9HK162
QHK1R<;

Dvar or Bell
Trnn Hnr~e nr nV:lr

designations.

Table 8. Number and Frequency of Various Mississippian Component Phases in the Shoulderbone Tract.
:I:::::[.ljl.!I[::::i:1il::['[l iIl111:11!1:1[:I::::I::::::':[::I:I!:

Etowah

Armor

1000 to 1100

Stillhouse

1100 to 1250

Savannah

Scull Shoals

1250 to 1375

Savannah or Lamar

Scull Shoals or Duvall

1250 to 1450

Duvall

1375 to 1450

0

Iron Horse

1450 to 1520

2

Lamar

Iron Horse or D ar

1450 to 1580

5

D ar or Bell

1520 to 1670

4

TOTAL

17

Early Mississippian Components
No definitive evidence exists for Early Mississippian period occupation in the Shoulderbone tract. The complete absence of Etowah, Vining, or Woodstock ceramics suggests that the area was unoccupied during this interval. Previous research has demonstrated that Etowah sites are infrequent in the Oconee Valley, with the few examples
160

largely limited to the floodplain of major streams (King 1992; Ledbetter and Wynn 1988; Rudolph and Blanton 1980). Vining sites are apparently more common in the uplands, particularly in the southern portion of the Oconee Valley, but may be clustered more to the west of the river in Putnam, Jones, and Morgan Counties (Elliott and Wynn 1991; O'Steen et al. 1994).
Middle Mississippian Components
Scull Shoals phase components, which date to the Middle Mississippian Savannah period, are relatively common in the project area. Three of the six probable Scull Shoals phase settlements are located in the bottomlands of the Shoulderbone tract. Two of these (sites 9HK114 and 9HK156) lie adjacent to Whitten Creek and relatively close to the Shoulderbone site. These sites are fairly large, suggesting that these could be clusters of house related to the Savannah period occupation of the mounds. The final Scull Shoals site (9HK132) in the bottomlands appears to be a small, specialized extraction location.
The three remaining components that likely date to the Scull Shoals phase (9HK122, 9HK130, and 9HK155) are located in the uplands of the project area. All three are relatively dense, fairly small artifacts scatters that appear to represent the locations of one or two houses.
Archeological surveys of a number of clearcuts in the Oconee Valley have failed to document significant numbers of Middle Mississippian settlements, suggesting that the use of the uplands at this time was limited (Chamblee 1996:34; Elliott 1981a; Pluckhahn 1994). However, as is the case in the Shoulderbone tract, there does appear to be limited use of the uplands in the areas immediately surrounding Middle Mississippian mound centers. Survey of the Oconee National Forest has demonstrated limited Savannah period settlement in the uplands surrounding the Scull Shoals Mound (King 1992). In addition, relatively extensive Scull Shoals phase settlement has been noted in the uplands near Barnett Shoals, in the vicinity of another possible mound site and a large Savannah period village (Ledbetter and 0' Steen 1986; Freer 1989). As one researcher has concluded, it would appear that while use of the uplands may have increased during the Scull Shoals phase, this settlement did not range far from the political and social centers (King 1992: 197).
The identification of a few fairly substantial Savannah period settlements in the project area may confirm previous characterizations of the occupation of the Shoulderbone site. Williams (l990b) suggests that the population of the immediate area around the mound was limited, probably consisting only of the chief, his wives and children, and perhaps a few slaves. Most of the subjects may have lived beyond the walls of the "chiefly compound" (Williams 1995) in clusters of houses such as those that we imagine were present on sites 9HK114 and 9HK156.
Late Mississippian Components
Settlement of the Shoulderbone tract continued, and possibly increased during the Late Mississippian Lamar period. However, this increase does not appear to have been continuous.
161

Instead, the Lamar period settlement of the project area appears to have peaked and waned several times.
Comparatively few Early Lamar, Duvall phase components were identified in the project area. Each of the three possible examples also showed evidence for earlier Scull Shoals phase settlement, and therefore may have been occupied at or near the boundaries of the two phases. The infrequency of Duvall phase components in the survey area is somewhat surprising, given the evidence suggesting that the occupation of the Shoulderbone site peaked during this interval (Williams 199Gb).
It is possible that the Duvall phase occupation of the survey area is somehow underrepresented in our results. However, the complete absence of Morgan Incised ceramics, which are an infrequent, but reportedly consistent marker for the phase, suggests that the results are correct and that there was relatively little use of the Shoulderbone tract during this interval, apart from the mound area itself.
If this is indeed the case, it would mark a significant change from the preceeding Savannah period. Perhaps settlement became more nucleated during the Duvall phase, with a concentration of settlement at the Shoulderbone Mound site itself. It is also possible that satellite settlement dispersed further from the mound center (beyond thereaches of our survey area) during this interval.
Occupation of the project area appears to have increased slightly with the transition to the subsequent Iron Horse phase. Interestingly, this corresponds to the beginning of a decline in settlement at the Shoulderbone Mounds (Williams 199Gb). Possible Iron Horse phase components were identified on sites in the project area, based on the presence of medium and bold incised ceramics and pinched rim sherds, and on the absence of folded rims. One of these (9HKl14) is located directly adjacent to the Shoulderbone site, while the others are located in the surrounding uplands. The collections from these upland sites are smaller and contain few diagnostics, and it is possible that these components may date to the prior Duvall phase or subsequent Dyar phase.
The results of our survey are generally consistent with models suggesting an increasing dispersal of settlements away from mound centers throughout the course of the Lamar period. It appears that the Early Lamar, Duvall phase settlement of the survey tract was limited to the Shoulderbone Mounds and possibly a few nearby sites. Occupation of the uplands probably increased during the transition to the Iron Horse phase.
Only a few sites and one occurrence in the project area produced the type of folded and pinched rims that are characteristic of the Dyar phase. Moreover, it should be noted again that in these cases the evidence is equivocal as the sherds are small. The absence of appreciable quantities of folded and pinched rims suggests that the Dyar phase occupation of the project area was ephemeral, and that most of the Lamar components in the tract date to the Iron Horse phase. This is consistent with Williams' (199Gb) suggestion that the occupation of the Shoulderbone Mounds was on the decline during the Dyar phase. If our artifact
162

chronologies and assignments are correct, the population of the Shoulderbone tract would have been quite small at the time of DeSoto's movement through the Oconee Valley in 1540.
Finally, three sites in the project area produced fine incised sherds indicative of Late Lamar, Dyar or Bell phase occupations. Such incising is more common in the latter phase, suggesting that these are most likely Bell phase settlements that postdate the occupation of the Shoulderbone Mounds. Two of these sites (9HK127 and 9HK162) are located near the southern end of the project area, near an early historic Indian trail that rougWy followed the course of present-day S.R. 77. The other (9HK150) is located in the uplands near the center of the survey tract.
The absence of clearly discernible Dyar phase settlements in the project area may be related to a waning of the social and political importance of the Shoulderbone Mounds, and a corresponding decrease in population. Alternatively, it is possible that settlements merely became more dispersed during this interval, and that many of the outlying houses and farmsteads were located further from the Shoulderbone site, beyond the limits of the survey area. A similar pattern has been noted in the uplands surrounding the Dyar site. Despite a strong Late Lamar occupation of the Dyar Mounds, there was only a very small increase in the settlement of the surrounding uplands from Early to Late Lamar (Rudolph and Blanton 1980). This has been taken to indicate that while the population was somewhat dispersed during the Early Lamar period, the farmsteads were still clustered reasonably close to the mound center and the river, while in the Late Lamar period the farmsteads began to disperse further from these central areas (King 1992).
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Archeological Resources in the Shoulderbone Tract
Based on the data generated by the survey, we recommend that 25 of the 72 sites that were identified in the Shoulderbone tract, besides the Shoulderbone site itself, are potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. As was noted in the Management Summary, most of these potentially eligible sites are prehistoric artifact scatters that are likely related to the Shoulderbone site occupations, and which may represent farmsteads or, in the case of one or two of the larger sites, small villages.
At first glance, many of these smaller artifact scatters may appear insubstantial, and in some cases heavily disturbed. However, previous research in the Oconee Valley has demonstrated that such sites may hold considerable research potential, despite modem disturbances from agriculture and logging (Hatch 1995; Ledbetter 1988). Many of these sites could contain preserved structural features such as postmolds, as well as related features such as hearths, storage pits, and burials.
The argument that many of the prehistoric artifact scatters should be considered potentially eligible for the National Register would be strengthened by considering them as part of a larger whole. We therefore recommend the creation and ultimate nomination of an archeological district encompassing not only the Shoulderbone Mound site, but also a number of other sites in the surrounding area. The theme for this proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District would be the rise and decline in the occupation of the area over the course of the Mississippian period. We recommend that the following 21 sites, which are probably related to the Shoulderbone Mounds, be the contributing members of the proposed district: 9HK114, 9HK115, 9HK119, 9HK122, 9HK127, 9HK130, 9HK131, 9HK136, 9HK139,9HK141, 9HK150, 9HK153, 9HK155, 9HK156, 9HK158, 9HK161, 9HK162, 9HK164, 9HK174, 9HK181, and 9HK185. The Shoulderbone site (9HK1) itself, which is recommended as eligible to the National Register, would of course be a cornerstone of this district.
Two sites (9HK150 and 9HK153) that are recommended as potentially eligible contain both significant prehistoric components and rock piles of uncertain date and origin. These have been recommended as contributing members of the proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District primarily on the basis of the prehistoric artifact scatters. However, we recommend that the rock piles on these sites are also worthy of additional research and protection.
Four other sites (9HK147, 9HK148, 9HK154, 9HK170) that have been recommended potentially eligible to the National Register also contain rock piles, but no apparent archeological deposits of significance. Unless additional testing demonstrates a more conclusive link between these sites and the prehistoric occupation of the project area, we would recommend that these properties be considered as individual sites, rather than as part of the proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District.
165

While most, if not all of these stone features may simply be agricultural features from the nineteenth century, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated on the basis of the survey data. At least one larger rock mound in the project area, on site 9HK154, resembles a type of prehistoric stone burial cairn. The six sites containing rock piles which we have recommended as potentially eligible to the National Register represent a selection of the better preserved and more substantial rock features from the project area.
The remaining 52 sites and all of the artifact occurrences are recommended ineligible to the National Register. While the discovery of these cultural resources has added important knowledge to our understanding of the history of the area, they have little potential for providing additional information due to the sparsity ofthe deposits, the degree of disturbance, or (in the case of the historic sites) because they are redundant with archival sources.
It is our understanding that although final plans have not been completed, there will be minimal development of the Shoulderbone tract. Nevertheless, any plans for roads or other infrastructure should be designed to avoid sites that have been recommended potentially eligible to the National Register. Any such sites that cannot be preserved from development must be archeologically tested to firmly determine research potential and eligibility status for the National Register.
In addition to potential disturbance by construction related to park development, sites could be threatened by illegal artifact collecting and digging. Such unauthorized digging has occurred at the Shoulderbone Mound itself and could occur again, perhaps at other sites discovered by this survey. Hancock County officials should be aware that any sort of digging on archeological sites that is not federally sanctioned (such as the present survey) violates State law (Code Section 12-3-621) unless certain conditions (written permission of landowner; prior notification of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources) are met. In addition, digging at the mounds or at many of the other sites could affect graves, which are protected by even stronger State laws (Code Section 31-21-6).
Development of the Shoulderbone Tract
Hancock County and the Department of Transportation are to be commended for their efforts to create a park incorporating the Shoulderbone Mound complex. Although the Shoulderbone site was apparently well known as a place of importance in the nineteenth century, it had largely faded from memory in the early and middle twentieth century. Public acquisition of the Shoulderbone Mounds and surrounding area will restore the site to its rightful place as one of the most impressive prehistoric sites in the region, if not the state. Ideally, the creation of the Shoulderbone park will allow greater accessibility to this important historical resource for the enjoyment and education of the general public, while at the same time providing greater security and ensuring the continued preservation of the site.
Fencing the mound complex has been recognized as a necessary first step in the creation of a public park. While it is regrettable that we must limit accessibility to the mounds, this is the only way to ensure that they will be safe from looting. The limits of the Shoulderbone site have been marked with pink flagging tape. If the fence follows this
166

demarcated boundary line there should be no adverse effects to the site. Moreover, the mounds should be easily viewable from this distance.
It is our recommendation that both the accessibility and the security of the mounds could be further enhanced by carefully removing, by hand, the secondary growth of smaller trees and brush from the area between Mounds A and B. As this corresponds roughly with the village occupation zone, the creation of a grassy plaza in this area will facilitate the interpretation of the site. In addition, the added visibility will make the mounds easier to see for both park visitors and law enforcement, who should routinely inspect the grounds for any suspicious activity.
A series of interpretive displays should be positioned near the mounds. At a minimum, these displays should present a sketch of the periods of occupation, a map of the site, and a brief history of the archeological investigations of the site with a summary of the advancements in archeological field techniques. An artist's reconstruction of the site would also be very useful for interpretation. In addition, a display highlighting preservation laws and warnings should also be included.
The remoteness of the Shoulderbone site presents one of greatest problems for the development of the park. Although a series of rough, unpaved field roads allow access to the site off of S.R. 15, these would require several miles of road improvements to make the site truly accessible, and could impact several of the significant archeological resources in the project area. However, it may be possible to design the road so as to avoid disturbing any significant sites. More direct access could be gained by approaching the site from S.R. 77. However, this would require crossing Whitten Creek. Perhaps an approach road and parking area could be placed on the south side of Whitten Creek, with a modest foot bridge leading to the mound area. The problem with this alternative is that it would impede the surveillance of the site by law enforcement personnel.
Creation of the Shoulderbone park will require careful planning. Any development plans should consider the security of the mounds as a high priority. Consultation with an archeological firm or state agency is advised during all planning stages.
167

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Braley, Chad 0., R. Jerald Ledbetter and J. Mark Williams 1985 Newly Recognized Mississippian Ceremonial Sites in the Oconee Province. Paper presented at the Society for Georgia Archeology, Fall Conference, Savannah.
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Freer, Jennifer A. 1989 Archaeological Settlement Patterns in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
Garrow, Patrick H. 1994 The Gwinnett Stone Mounds. Unpublished manuscript on file at Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Athens, Georgia.
Goodyear, Albert C. 1982 The Chronological Position of the Dalton Horizon in the Southeastern United States. American Antiquity 47(2):382-395.
Gresham, Thomas H. 1987 The Wallace Mitigation Survey: An Overview. Wallace Reservoir Project Contribution No. 32, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
1990 Historic Patterns of Rock Piling and the Rock Pile Problems. Early Georgia (18):140.
170

Griffin, James B. (editor) 1952 Archaeology of Eastern United States. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Hally, David J. and James L. Rudolph 1986 Mississippi Period Archaeology of the Georgia Piedmont. Laboratory of Archaeology Series 24. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
Hatch, James 1995 Lamar Period Upland Farmsteads of the Oconee River Valley, Georgia. In Mississippian Communities and Households, edited by J.D. Rogers and B.D. Smith, pp. 135-155. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa.
Hodler, Thomas W. and Howard A. Schretter 1986 The Atlas of Georgia. The Institute of Community and Area Development, University of Georgia, Athens.
Hudson, Charles 1989 The Hernando De Soto Expedition: Statement of Historical Significance, CPSU Technical Report No. 55. National Park Service Cooperative Unit, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens.
Hudson, C., M. Smith and C. DePratter 1984 The Route of the DeSoto Expedition from Apalachee to Chiaha. Southeastern Archaeology 3:65-77.
Jeffries, R.W. 1976 The Tunacunnhee Site: Evidence of Hopewell Interaction in Northwest Georgia. Anthropological Papers No.1. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
Jeffries, Richard W. and Paul R. Fish 1978 Investigation ofTwo Stone Mound Localities, Monroe County, Georgia. Laboratory of Archaeology Series Report No. 17. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
Jones, C. C. 1873 Antiquities of the Southern Indians. Appleton and Co., New York.
King, Adam 1992 A Cultural Resources Survey of Selected Timber Stands (FY92) in the Oconee National Forest; Greene, Putnam, and Jasper Counties, Georgia. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Athens, Georgia. Submitted to the USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Gainesville, Georgia. Project No. 92GA08-01.
171

Ledbetter, R. Jerald 1988 A Comment on the Research Value of Upland Lamar "Plowzone" sites. The Profile: Newsletter of the Society for Georgia Archaeology 60-61:5-6.
Ledbetter, R. Jerald, Stephen A. Kowalewski and Lisa O'Steen 1981 Chert of Southern Oconee County, Georgia. Early Georgia 9 (1-2):1-13.
Ledbetter, R. Jerald, and Lisa O'Steen 1986 Late Mississippian Settlement North of the Oconee Province. The Profile: Newsletter of the Society for Georgia Archaeology 54:9-12.
Michie, James L. 1972 The Edgefield Scraper: A Tool of Inferred Antiquity and Use. South Carolina Antiquities 4(1):85-91.
Noel-Hume, Ivor 1974 A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
o I Steen, Lisa D.
1983 Early Archaic Settlement Patterns in the Wallace Reservoir: An Environmental Perspective. Wallace Reservoir Project Contribution 25. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
o I Steen, Lisa D., Karen G. Wood, and R. Jerald Ledbetter
1994 Cultural Resources Survey of the Sinclair Hydro Project; Baldwin, Hancock, and Putnam Counties, Georgia; Volume 1 Main Report. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Athens, Georgia. Submitted to the Georgia Power Company, Atlanta. FERC #1951.
Payne, Harley H. 1976 Soil Survey of Baldwin, Jones, and Putnam Counties, Georgia. USDA Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service, Washington.
Pluckhahn, Thomas J. 1994 Mississippian Settlement in the Upper Oconee and Upper Broad River Valleys. Early Georgia 22(1): 1-34.
Price, T. Jeffrey, and Karen G. Wood 1991 A Cultural Resources Survey of Oconee National Forest Greene, Jasper, and Jones Counties, Georgia. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Athens, Georgia. Prepared for USDA Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Gainesville, Georgia. FS Project No. 90GAO-02.
Rodeffer, Michael J., Stephanie H. Holschlag, and Mary Katherine Davis Cann 1979 Greenwood County: An Archaeological Reconnaissance. Lander College, Greenwood, South Carolina.
172

Rudolph, James L. and Dennis B. Blanton 1980 A Discussion of Mississippian Settlement in the Georgia Piedmont. Early Georgia 8(1-2): 14-36.
Shapiro, Gary 1983 Site Variability in the Oconee Province: A Late Mississippian Society of the Georgia Piedmont. Wallace Reservoir Project Contribution No. 24. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
Sheehan, Mark C., Donald R. Whitehead, and Stephen T. Jackson 1985 Late-Quaternary Environmental History ofthe Richard B. Russell Multiple Resource Area. Thunderbird Research Corporation, Front Royal. Prepared for Interagency Archeological Services National Park Service, Atlanta. Contract No. CX-5000-1-4056.
Sherwood, Adiel 1860 A Gazetteer of Georgia. 4th Edition. S. Boykin, Macon.
Smith, Charlotte A. and Karen G. Wood 1987 Cultural Resources Survey of Portions of Oconee National Forest Greene, Jasper, Jones, and Putnam Counties, Georgia. Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., Athens. Prepared for USDA Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Gainesville. FS Project No. 87 GA08I05.
Smith, Marvin T. 1981 Archeological Investigations at the Dyar Site, 9Ge5. Wallace Reservoir Project Contribution No. 11. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia.
1992 Historic Period Indian Archaeology ofNorthern Georgia. Georgia Archaeological Operating Plans 27-29 University of Georgia Laboratory of Archaeology Series Report, Athens.
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173

Wauchope, Robert 1966 Archaeological Survey of Northern Georgia: With a Test of Some Cultural Hypotheses. Memoirs of the Society for American Archaeology, No. 21. Salt Lake City.
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1986 Cultural Resource Survey of the Town Creek - Fishing Creek Inteifluve Oconee National Forest, Greene County, Georgia. Webb Diversified Consulting, Marietta. Prepared for USDA Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Gainesville. FS Project No. 86GA08S01.
1987 Cultural Resources Survey Compartments 105, 106, 107, 115, 134, 144, 153, and 162, Oconee National Forest, Jasper and Putnam Counties, Georgia. Webb Diversified Consulting, Jasper. Prepared for USDA Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Gainesville. FS Project No. 87GA08IOl.
Wharton, Charles H. 1978 The Natural Environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta.
White, George 1849 Statistics of the State of Georgia. W. Thorne Williams, Savannah.
Willey, Gordon R. 1949 Archeology of the Florida Gulf Coast. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections Volume 113. Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
Williams, Carolyn White (editor) 1961 History of Greene County, Georgia 1786-1886. By Thaddeus B. Rice. J.W. Burke Company, Macon.
Williams, Mark 1983 The Joe Bell Site: Seventeenth Century Lifeways on the Oconee River. Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
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174

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Wood, W. Dean 1981 An Analysis of Two Early Woodland Households from the Cane Island Site, 9Pm209. Wallace Reservoir Project Contribution No.4. Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens.
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175

l.:rl"\
1700, (:S
Ml
19 c1l
~'S

AN ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE SHOULDERBONE TRACT,
HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA

Thomas J. Pluckhahn

--<

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2,10 ;'f(doil.,

Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Environment/Location Atlanta, Georgia
OCCASIONAL PAPERS IN CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT #10 1997

Georgia Department of Transportation Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management
The Georgia Department of Transportation's (DOT) Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management series consists of archaeological research sponsored by the Georgia DOT. These reports have been produced by Georgia DOT in-house archaeological staff and by archaeological consultants under contract with the Georgia DOT. Each report within the series presents information about specific archaeological sites considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places that would be affected by transportation projects.
Each report addresses research questions included in the Scope of Work for each project and the conclusions and interpretations contained therein reflect the theoretical orientation, background, and assorted biases of the authors. Each manuscript has been prepared as a result of a contract with Georgia DOT. The reports are distributed by the Office of Environment/Location, Georgia Department of Transportation.
For a copy of any or all of the reports, please indicate the specific report; there may be a minimal charge for copying if the report is out of print.
Georgia Department of Transportation Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management
No.1 - Archaeological Investigations at 9CK(DOT) 7, Cherokee County, Georgia; by WilliamR. Bowen (1982).
No.2 - Cagle Site Report: Archaic and Early Woodland Period Manifestations in the North Georgia Piedmont; by Morgan R. Crook, Jr. (1984).
No.3 - Lowe Site Report: A Contribution to Archaeology of the Georgia Coastal Plain; by Morgan R. Crook, Jr. (1987).
No.4 - Rush: An Early Woodland Period Site in Northwest Georgia; by W. Dean Wood and R. Jerald Ledbetter (1990).
No.5 - A Few Visits in Prehistory: Data Recovery at 9RH18, Randolph County, Georgia; by Christopher T. Espenshade (1993).
No.6 - The Pig Pen Site: Archeological Investigations at 9RI158, Richmond County, Georgia; by R. Jerald Ledbetter (1988).
No.7 - Data Recovery at Lovers Lane, Phinizy Swamp and the Old Dike Sites, Bobby Jones Expressway Extension Corridor, Augusta, Georgia; by Daniel T. Elliott, R. Jerald Ledbetter, and Elizabeth A. Gordon (1994).
No.8 - The Victory Drive Site, 9ME50, Muscogee County, Georgia; by R. Jerald Ledbetter (1997).
No.9 - The Bull Creek Site, 9MEl, Muscogee County, Georgia, by R. Jerald Ledbetter (1997).
No. 10 - An Archeological Survey ofthe Shoulderbone Tract, Hancock County, Georgia; by Thomas J. Pluckhahn (1997).
Cover illustration: Reproduction of C. C. Jones' (1873) Plan Map of the Shoulderbone Mounds Site.

PREFACE
The passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991 required states to set aside at least ten percent of Federal funds for transportation enhancement projects. In particular, the Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) provision of ISTEA provides the opportunity to fund a range ofnon-traditional projects, including historic preservation and conservation activities with a direct relationship to the intermodal transportation system. Within the state of Georgia, these projects range from parkways and bikeways to restoration of historic railroad depots, lighthouses, and covered bridges and involve a variety of sponsors, including cities, counties, and preservation groups.
One category of projects eligible for Transportation Enhancement funds is archaeological planning and research. This report, generated and published through the use of TEA funds, details the archaeological survey conducted by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., for Hancock County. A county park which incorporates the Shoulderbone site, a prehistoric mound
and village complex, will be funded by an ISTEA grant. In compliance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, the area of potential environmental effect for the proposed project was surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the national Register of Historic Places.
This project illustrates the investment by state transportation agencies, the Federal government (Federal Highway Administration), and counties in respecting and preserving the past in building for the future. The Georgia Department of Transportation is pleased to publish this archaeological survey report as the tenth in its Occasional Papers in Cultural Resource Management Series.
Elizabeth C. Shirk Staff Archeologist Georgia Department of Transportation Atlanta, Georgia August, 1997

TJUS PAGE LEFT BLANK

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY
Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. recently completed an archeological survey of an 1130 acre tract in northeastern Hancock County, Georgia that encompasses the Shoulderbone site, a Mississippian period (A.D. 1000-1540) mound and village complex. The work was conducted for Hancock County (through the engineering firm of Precision Planning, Inc.), and was completed in anticipation of the creation of a county park that will incorporate the Shoulderbone Mounds and surrounding area. The park is being funded by an Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act (ISTEA) grant, an ongoing federal program to preserve and enhance archeological and historical resources along transportation corridors.
Fieldwork was conducted over the course of eight non-consecutive days from January 6-31, 1997. One of the principal aims of the project was to define the limits of the Shoulderbone Mounds site (9HK1). This was accomplished by expanding the grid of post hole tests that had been initiated on the site by Williams (1990b). The boundaries of the site were flagged with hot pink surveyors tape so that it can be fenced off to protect it from further vandalism.
Most of the fieldwork, however, was devoted to an intensive archeological survey of the property. By examining exposed areas and excavating shovel tests in vegetated areas, we located a total of 72 previously unreported archeological sites (Table 1) and 21 artifact occurrences. Fifty-one of these sites have prehistoric components, and more than half of these (N = 35) produced pottery that can be dated to the Woodland or Mississippian periods. Most of these pottery producing sites are likely associated with one or more of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. The 16 remaining prehistoric sites contained only lithics, and likely date to the Archaic period.
Only 14 of the sites in the survey area produced historic artifacts. In many cases, these historic components consist only of isolated scatters of debris. However, the remains of a few houses were identified. In addition, we located two saw mills and one possible still.
Eighteen of the sites contain one or more rock features that are difficult to associate with any particular period with certainty. Most of these features consist of small rock piles that were likely created as the land was cleared for cultivation in the nineteenth century. However, one larger rock mound resembles the type of stone construction that has sometimes proven to contain prehistoric burials (Gresham 1990).
Based on the survey data, we are recommending that 25 of the sites are potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places (Table 1). Most of these (N =21) are prehistoric artifact scatters that are likely related to the Shoulderbone site occupations, and which may represent farmsteads or, in the case of one or two of the larger sites, small villages. We further recommend that these 21 sites should be incorporated with the Shoulderbone Mound into a National Register district (which we will refer to as the Shoulderbone Archeological District).
iii

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,7f--{J(i-J 9HK170 9HK171

~W"~~!fu:,(\

~~1~ r:~~~~~~\ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r

?J )\, 9HK152 Gee. C-3 . Occ. B-7
~~~~:=~:;

Occ. C-4 ..( 9HK155

:::::::.

9HK174

~9HK175
~Occ.C-5

~9HK120

-.../] . . 9HK121

'-.:.- Occ. A-3

~ 9HK156

~

9HK158
(Occ. B-5

~~Occ.B-4

-~ , r9--H-:K - O1c5 c. 7 B-6

~"-- ~:-Z~~tfft~i-i:~t~j~r-;~4f~~t~fr~r; .....~.-.J ~\,

9HK132 9HK129

"-- '-\..J--' Ocec. A-184 ~

1 (..11 9HK134 2:S~(J.-rl~JT7I7C?:3'\ J _ _~/I/

.~~rfl 9HK135

?
.

~ C-\\

9HK136 9HK137

rr ~, =S~~Z~~s:~q~~~~

, (9HK138

~-7:~ '.,

o,.............-- 1 kIn

Figure 1. Location of Cultural Resources in Project Area.

iv

9HK114
9HK115 9HK 11 6 9HK 11 7 9HK118 9HK119 9HKl20 9HKl21 9HK122 9HK123 9HK124 9HK125 9HKl26
9HK127 9HK128 9HK129 9HK130
9HK131

A-I
A-2 A-3 A-4 A-5 A-6 A-7 A-8 A-9 A-lO A-11 A-12 A-13
A-14 A-15 A-16 A-17
A-18

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle Mississippian (Savannah) Late Mississippian (Lamar)

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

rock pile

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

rock piles
historic house site prehistoric artifact scatter

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)
late nineteenth/early twentieth century Middle Archaic
Woodland or Mississippian

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle Mississippian (Savannah) Late Mississippian (Lamar)

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

potentially eligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible ineligible ineligible
potentially eligible
potentially eligible

9HK132

A-19

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle Mississippian (Savannah)

ineligible

9HK133

A-20

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK134

A-21

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK135

A-22

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK136

A-23

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK137

A-24

prehistoric artifact scatter historic artifact scatter

Late (Lamar) Mississippian nineteenth century

ineligible

9HK138

A-25

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK139

A-26

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

.<.:.:..

9HKl40

A-27

historic artifact scatter

isolated prehistoric lithic

late nineteenth/early twentieth century unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK141

A-28

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK142

A-29

prehistoric lithic scatter isolated historic ceramic

unidentified prehistoric lithic late nineteenth/early twentieth century

ineligible

9HKl43

B-1

prehistoric lithic scatter

Late Archaic

ineligible

9HK144

B-2

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

ineligible

9HKl45

B-3

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

ineligible

9HK146

B-4

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic)

ineligible

9HK147

B-5

rock piles

prehistoric lithic scatter

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic) Late Archaic

potentially eligible

9HKl48

B-6

rock piles

isolated prehistoric lithic

unknown (probably nineteenth century historic) unidentified prehistoric lithic

potentially eligible

9HKl49

B-7

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late Archaic

probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK150

B-8

prehistoric artifact scatter

rock piles

Late (Lamar) Mississippian unknown (probably nineteenth century)

potentially eligible

9HK151

B-9

prehistoric artifact scatter

Late (Lamar) Mississippian

ineligible

9HK152

B-lO

prehistoric artifact scatter

Woodland or Mississippian

ineligible

9HK153

B-ll

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

rock piles

unknown (probably nineteenth century)

potentially eligible

9HK154

B-12

rock piles and rock mound

unknown

potentially eligible

9HK155

B-13

prehistoric artifact scatter

Middle (Savannah) Mississippian Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

.<..:.

9HK156

B-14

prehistoric artifact scatter historic artifact scatter

Middle (Savannah) Mississippian late nineteenth/early twentieth century

potentially eligible

9HK157

B-15

prehistoric artifact scatter

Woodland or Mississippian

ineligible

9HK158

B-16

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK159

B-17

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK160

B-18

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

9HK161

B-19

prehistoric artifact scatter probably Middle (Savannah) or Late (Lamar) Mississippian

potentially eligible

9HK162 9HK163

B-20 B-21

prehistoric artifact scatter historic artifact scatter

.. Late (Lamar) Mississippian
late nineteenth/early twentieth century

potentially eligible ineligible

9HK164

B-22

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

potentially eligible

9HK165

B-23

historic artifact scatter

late nineteenth/early twentieth century

ineligible

9HK166

B-24

historic saw mill

early to middle twentieth century

ineligible

9HK167

C-l

prehistoric lithic scatter

unidentified prehistoric lithic

ineligible

In addition to these prehistoric artifact scatters, we recommend that several of the sites containing rock features are potentially eligible for the National Register. Although we assume that most of the rock features in the project area are the result of historic land clearing activities, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated at present. The six sites containing rock piles which we have recommended as potentially eligible to the National Register represent a selection of the better preserved and most substantial rock features from the project area. Two of these sites also contain significant prehistoric artifact deposits and could be recommended as part of the proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District. The other four should be recommended as individual properties.
The remaining 52 sites and all of the artifact occurrences are recommended ineligible to the National Register. While the discovery of these cultural resources has added important lmowledge to our history of the area, they have little potential for providing additional infonnation due to the sparsity of the deposits, the degree of disturbance, or (in the case of historic sites) because they are redundant with archival sources.
We recommend that the flagged boundary of the Shoulderbone site should be more pennanently marked in the next few months, before the flagging tape becomes brittle and difficult to discern. It is our understanding that although the final plans have not been completed, there will be minimal development on the Shoulderbone tract. Nevertheless, any plans for roads or other infrastructure should be designed to avoid sites that have been recommended potentially eligible for the National Register. Any such sites that cannot be preserved from development must be archeologically tested.
ix

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

i

MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

,

iii

LIST OF FIGURES

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. xiii

LIST OF TABLES

xv

INTRODUCTION

1

Environmental Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Cultural Setting .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

METHODS

15

Literature Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Field Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Laboratory Methods

18

Evaluation Methods

21

INVESTIGATION OF THE

SHOULDERBONE SITE (9HKl)

25

History of the Shoulderbone Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Delineation of the Shoulderbone Site

32

SURVEY RESULTS

35

Artifact Occurrences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 148

SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE PROJECT AREA

149

Archaic and Unidentified Lithic Components

150

Rock Pile Components

151

Historic Period Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 151

Woodland Period Components

155

Mississippian Period Components

155

RECOMMENDATIONS

165

Archeological Resources in the Shoulderbone Tract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 165

Development of the Shoulderbone Tract

166

REFERENCES CITED

169

xi

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Location of Cultural Resources in Project Area.

ii

Figure 2. Location of the Project Area. .

2

Figure 3. View of a Large Erosional Gully in the Project Area.

3

Figure 4. View of a Cleacut Pine Forest in the Project Area. .

4

Figure 5. View of Whitten Creek and Adjacent Hardwood BottorrJand.

4

Figure 6. Mississippian Mound Centers in the Oconee Valley. .

10

Figure 7. Land Use and Shovel Test Locations in the Survey Tract

17

Figure 8. View to the Southwest of Mound B on the Shoulderbone Site.

. . . . . 26

Figure 9. View to the Northeast of the Shoulderbone Site

26

Figure 10. C.C. Jones' lllustration of the Shoulderbone Mounds Site. .

27

Figure 11. Reproduction of Williams' (1990b:26) Map of the Shoulderbone Site. .

30

Figure 12. Reproduction of the 1951 USDA Aerial Photograph

31

Figure 13. Excavation of a Posthole Test on the Shoulderbone Site

32

Figure 14. Map of the Shoulderbone Site Showing Boundaries Based on Posthole Tests

Excavated During Survey and Testing

33

Figure 15. Locations of Sites and Occurrences in the Shoulderbone Tract. .

36

Figure 16. View to the Southwest of the Excavation of Shovel Test 10 on the Whitten Creek

Terrace Site (9HKI14)

38

Figure 17. Selected Artifacts from the Whitten Creek Terrace Site (9HK114). .

39

Figure 18. View to the West of the Excavation of Shovel Test 1 on Site 9HK115

43

Figure 19. View to the South of Shovel Test 1 on 9HK119

49

Figure 20. View to the South of Site 9HK122. .

54

Figure 21. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK122. .

55

Figure 22. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK126. .

60

Figure 23. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK127. .

62

Figure 24. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK127. .

63

Figure 25. View to the South of Site 9HK130. .

67

Figure 26. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK130. .

68

Figure 27. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK131. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Figure 28. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK131.

70

Figure 29. Selected Sherds from Site 9HK136. .

75

Figure 30. View to the South of Site 9HK136. .

76

Figure 31. Site 9HK139. .

80

Figure 32. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK143. .

85

Figure 33. PP/K from Site 9HK147

89

Figure 34. View to the North of Site 9HK147. .

90

Figure 35. Quartz Biface from Site 9HK148. .

91

Figure 36. View to the East of Site 9HK148. .

92

Figure 37. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK149.

94

Figure 38. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK150. .

95

Figure 39. View to the Northwest of the Road Intersection on Site 9HK150. .

96

Figure 40. View to the Southwest of Site 9HK153. .

101

Figure 41. View to the North of the Rock Mound on Site 9HK154

103

Figure 42. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK155.

104

xiii

Figure 43. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK155 from Shovel Test 3. .

105

Figure 44. Savannah Complicated Stamped Sherd from Shovel Test 14 on Site 9HK156. 106

Figure 45. View to the North of Site 9HK156 from Shovel Test 6. .

107

Figure 46. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK157.

. . . .. 109

Figure 47. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK158. "

112

Figure 48. View to the West of Site 9HK161 from ST 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 116

Figure 49. Lamar Incised Sherd from ST 2 on 9HK162.

117

Figure 50. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK162. .

118

Figure 51. View to the West of Site 9HK164 from Shovel Test 3

121

Figure 52. Quartz PPIK Fragment from the Surface of 9HK167. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 124

Figure 53. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 128

Figure 54. Late Archaic PP/K Fragments from the Surface of Site 9HK171. .

129

Figure 55. View to the West-Southwest of Site 9HK174

134

Figure 56. View to the South of Site 9HK181.

142

Figure 57. View to the North of Site 9HK185. .

148

Figure 58. Location of Archaic and Unidentified Prehistoric Lithic Components in the

Project Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 152

Figure 59. Location of Rock Pile Components in the Project Area.

153

Figure 60. Location of Historic Period Components in the Project Area. . . . . . . . . . .. 154

Figure 61. Location of Mississippian Period Components in the Project Area.

156

Figure 62. Frequency of Occurrence of Ceramic Decorative Categories on Sites in the

Project Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 159

Figure 63. Ceramic Decorative Categories as Percentage of Total Identifiable Sherds .. 159

Figure 64. Frequency of Occurrence of Various Rim Treatments on Sites in the

Project Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 160

Figure 65. Rim Treatments as a Percentage of Total Rims from the Project Area. .... 160

xiv
,/

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Management Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. III

Table 2. Cultural Chronology of the North-Central Georgia Piedmont. .

6

Table 3. Phases, Dates, and Ceramic Attributes for the Mississippian Period in the Oconee

River Valley

9

Table 4. Artifact Occurrences.

149

Table 5. Number and Frequency of Various Component Types or Periods in the

Shoulderbone Tract

150

Table 7. Tentative Phase Designations for Selected Mississippian Components.

161

Table 8. Number and Frequency of Various Mississippian Component Phases in the

Shoulderbone Tract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 161

xv

INTRODUCTION
Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. recently completed an archeological survey of a 457 ha (1130 ac) tract in northeastern Hancock County, Georgia (Figure 2). The work was conducted for Hancock County, through the engineering firm of Precision Planning, Inc. The tract is located to the north of State Road 77, approximately 1-2 Ian west of its intersection with State Road 15. The survey area includes the Shoulderbone site, a Mississippian period (A.D. 1000-1540) mound and village complex.
Hancock County and their consulting engineers initiated the survey in the interest of delineating the boundaries of the Shoulderbone site, and of identifying and preserving any other significant cultural resources that are present in the tract. The survey was conducted as partial fulfillment of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as amended. Section 106 of the NHPA requires that all federal agencies or entities funded, licensed or regulated by federal agencies "take into account all historic properties eligible to the National Register of Historic Places that may be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking." Surveying, or taking an inventory of historic properties within the project area represents the first step in complying with this law. The goals of the survey were to locate, describe, and, to the extent possible, evaluate the significance of (in terms of their eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places) all archeological sites within the project area. Potential effects to sites could not be assessed because development plans have not been formalized.
A standard pedestrian survey, combining visual inspection of exposed ground surface and intensive shovel testing in vegetated areas, was conducted by a six-person survey team over the course of eight non-consecutive field days from January 6 through 31, 1997. The author served as Field Director on the project. He was assisted in the field by John Brightbill, Michelle Elmore, Dave Rauppius, Ron Schoettmer, and Maggie Wyman.
Environmental Setting
The project area lies in the Washington Slope district of the Piedmont physiographic province (Hodler and Schretter 1986: 17). The topography of this area is characterized by broad, shallow valleys divided by gentle slopes. Overall elevations range from 400 to 700 ft ams!.
Most of the project area is drained by Whitten Creek, a small tributary of Shoulderbone Creek. However, a small area in the northwestern comer of the survey area drains into Lundy Creek, another tributary of Shoulderbone Creek. Shoulderbone Creek joins the Oconee River approximately 13 km to the southwest of the project area, just north of Lake Sinclair.
Geologically, the project area is underlain by crystalline rock, predominately granite and granitic gneiss. Crystalline quartz is available on the surface in many areas throughout the region, and is abundant in the survey tract itself. Most of the lithic debris tm sites in the project area is made from this local quartz. Ledbetter et al. (1981:3) have located modest chert outcrops and quarries in Oconee and Oglethorpe Counties. However, most of the chert
1

GEORGIA

0'C::::=======20 Ian Figure 2. Location of the Project Area.

N
A
2

that was found on sites in the project area is higher quality material from sources to the south in the Coastal Plain.
Originally, the soils in the Piedmont consisted of fertile, brown loams. However, more than 150 years of poor management have led to serious erosion. Large erosional gullies have formed in some portions of the project area, including one estimated to be at least 3m long and about 20 m wide (Figure 3).
Although a modem soil survey has yet to be published for Hancock County, the soils are generally comparable to those of surrounding counties. Davidson, and Cecil-Vance association soils are the predominate soil types on the gently sloping uplands in the region (Payne 1976). Field observation of soils in the project area suggested that most of the landforms to the north of Whitten Creek are severely eroded. Soil profiles in this area are typically shallow, consisting of a red clay loam or sandy clay loam with a thin layer of humus or plowzone. Somewhat deeper and sandier topsoil layers remain on the wooded ridges to the south of Whitten Creek.
The natural vegetation in the Piedmont consists of an oak-hickory-climax forest in the uplands, with an oak-hickory post-climax forest in the lower elevations (Wharton 1978:153). Dogwood and sourwood are characteristic in the understory. Secondary forests dominated by pine now cover most of the upland areas. Many of the upland pine forests in the project area have recently been clearcut and replanted (Figure 4). Hardwoods thrive mainly in the lower elevations along Whitten Creek and its tributaries (Figure 5), although a large stand of oak and hickories survives in the uplands in the northern portion of the survey tract.
Figure 3. View of a Large Erosional Gully in the Project Area.
3

Figure 4. View of a Cleacut Pine Forest in the Project Area.
Figure 5. View of Whitten Creek and Adjacent Hardwood Bottomland.
4

Cultural Setting
The cultural context on which the present study is based comes from previous research in the Oconee River Valley, one of the most thoroughly investigated areas in the Southeast. Much of the data is based on the survey and excavation associated with the construction of the Wallace Reservoir (now known as Lake Oconee) (Elliott 1981b; Gresham 1987; Hally and Rudolph 1986; O'Steen 1983; Shapiro 1983; Williams 1986; Wood 1981). More general information on broad cultural traditions and environmental conditions can be found in Caldwell (1952, 1958), Coe (1964), Griffin (1952), Wauchope (1966), and Williams (1977).
A series of University of Georgia field schools at a number of mound sites in the Oconee Valley have firmly established a Mississippian artifact chronology for the region. Williams has summarized this research in a series of individual site reports (Williams 1988, 1990a, 1990b; Williams and Shapiro 1990). In addition, Pennsylvania State University has conducted a series of archeological field schools at upland Mississippian sites on the western side of the Oconee River Valley in Morgan and Putnam Counties (Hatch 1995).
Additional information on prehistoric and historic settlement in the Oconee Valley is provided by a number of surveys in the Oconee National Forest. Wynn (1982) provides a specific summary of the history and prehistory of this area. Other, more focused cultural resources surveys in the Oconee Forest include Elliott (1989), Gresham (1987), King (1992), Price and Wood (1990), Smith and Wood (1987), and Webb (1985, 1986, 1987).
The following section briefly summarizes the stages of cultural development that are recognized by Southeastern archeologists and historians. Refer to Table 2 for a summary of this sequence.
The Paleoindian Period (ca 10,000 - 8,000 B.C.)
The initial occupation of the Georgia Piedmont came approximately 12,000 years ago. Paleoindians entered North America from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait when the sea level was lower. The vegetation of the Southeast was changing at this time, from a boreal forest dominated by conifers to an oak-hickory forest. Paleoindians foraged for nuts, berries, and other wild plants, and hunted a variety of animals, including mastodon and other Pleistocene megafauna (Sheehan et al. 1982:4).
Paleoindian tool assemblages from Piedmont Georgia are characterized by fluted and non-fluted lanceolate projectile points and unifacial scrapers. Fluting appears to occur with less frequency through time (Anderson et al. 1990). Dalton projectile points are diagnostic of the final phase of the Paleoindian period or transitional Paleo-Indian/Early Archaic period (8500 - 7900 B.C.; Goodyear 1982).
Few Paleoindian components in Georgia have been excavated. Nearly all the information on variability and distribution of point types, characteristics, and raw materials in
5

Table 2. Cultural Chronology of the North-Central Georgia Piedmont.

Period Paleoindian

Date 12,000 B.c.

Horizon/Phase
Clovis Simpson Dalton

Early Archaic

7800 B.C.

Big Sandy/Taylor Kirk/Palmer LeCroy

Middle Archaic

5800 B.C.

Stanly Morrow Mountain Halifax Guilford

Late Archaic

3500 B.C.

Savannah River Stallings Island

Early Woodland

800 B.C.

Kellog

Middle Woodland

200 B.c.

Cartersville Swift Creek

Late Woodland

600 A.D.

Napier

Mississippian

900 A.D.

Woodstock Etowah Wilbanks/Savannah Lamar

Protohistoric

1540 A.D.

Lamar (Bell Phase)

6

Georgia comes from surface finds (Anderson et al. 1990). Early Paleoindian occupation in the Middle Oconee drainage is thought to be concentrated along the ridges and shoals (O'Steen 1983; Anderson et al. 1990).
The Archaic Period (8000 - 1000 B. C.)
The Indians of the Archaic Period developed strategies to adapt to the emerging environmental conditions of the Holocene. Seasonal changes became more pronounced, with a general trend towards a warmer and wetter climate. The northern boreal forests retreated and were replaced by a more modem deciduous floral community. As the large Pleistocene mammals disappeared, people diversified their subsistence base to include greater numbers of smaller game and an increasing variety of plants.
Settlement and social organization during the Archaic period was still based on a hunter-gatherer economy. Small bands of people followed seasonal rounds that centered on plant harvesting and animal hunting. Most of the sites from the period are small, reflecting relatively brief occupations. Artifacts found at these small sites are usually associated with a limited number of activities, such as tool maintenance, hunting, or animal processing. However, people did gather in larger settlements at certain times of the year for trade and social activities. These base camps are generally located along major streams at focal points within the territory.
Early Archaic (8000-6000 B.C.) sites are located both along the main channel of the Oconee River and in the adjacent uplands (O'Steen 1983:106). Comer notched and side notched points, hafted end scrapers, and flaked stone adzes are characteristic of this period. Higher quality lithic materials, particularly chert, were preferred for stone tool production. Diagnostic projectile points of this period include the Hardaway, Dalton, Palmer, Kirk, and Big Sandy types (Coe 1964; Wauchope 1966). Large hafted Edgefield Scrapers are also diagnostic Early Archaic tools (Michie 1972).
The Middle Archaic period (6000-4000 B.C.) coincides with a warm, dry interval lasting nearly 2000 years. Perhaps in response to this drier climate, people became more mobile, depending less on specialized technologies, and exploiting a greater range of food sources. Morrow Mountain and Guilford projectile points are diagnostic of this time period (Coe 1964). Local lithic sources were more commonly used during the Middle Archaic. Tools associated with plant processing (such as manos, metates, and other ground stone tools) also become more common in Middle Archaic assemblages, suggesting that there was an increased emphasis on plant resources during the period.
With the Late Archaic (4000-1000 B.C.), there is evidence of increased sedentism, as well as the development of interregional trade. The settlement and economic system appears to have consisted of centrally located base camps surrounded by specialized, extractive sites. Metavolcanic rock is commonly found on Late Archaic sites in the Piedmont. The diagnostic artifacts of this period include soapstone vessels and perforated soapstone disks, which were presumably used for indirect cooking.
7

People along the Savannah River were producing ceramics tempered with bits of fiber, known archeologically as the Stallings Island series, by approximately 2000 B.C. Punctations and a variety of other surface treatments are common on these early fiber tempered wares. Large stemmed points such as the Savannah River type (Coe 1964) mark the early portion of the Late Archaic. These appear to be gradually replaced by smaller stemmed varieties, such as the Otarre and Paris Island types.
The Woodland Period (1000 B.C - A.D 1000)
During the Woodland period ceramic technology became increasingly refined, and pottery use became more extensive. Settlement became more sedentary during the Woodland period, and sites tended to be located on the terraces of major rivers and smaller streams. The Indians of the Southeast began cultivating native plants such as chenopodium, sunflower, and amaranth. Com may have been introduced from Mexico at some point during the Woodland period, but did not gain importance as a food source. The appearance of burial mounds and exotic artifacts and materials reflects the growing importance of ceremonialism.
The Early Woodland period (1000-100 B.C.) represents a transition from the Archaic, and is characterized by Dunlap Fabric Marked ceramics and medium-sized triangular (Badin or Yadkin) projectile points. Ceramics of the Cartersville series, including check and simple stamped pottery, developed later in the Early Woodland period. Stone-lined cooking pits, storage pits, and flexed burials also appear during this period.
The Middle Woodland period (100 B.C.- A.D. 500) in Georgia is marked by the influences of Hopewellian culture, which originated in the Ohio River Valley. Marked social stratification is indicated by large stone and earthen mounds that often contain the elaborately furnished burials of high-ranking individuals. The ceramic assemblage of the Middle Woodland period includes Cartersville Simple Stamped and Check Stamped wares. Elaborately decorated Swift Creek Complicated Stamped pottery appears later in the period. Medium sized triangular points are the dominant stone tool type, but expanded stem varieties are also common (Coe 1964). Diagnostic point types include Yadkin, Tallahassee, and Bakers Creek.
During the Late Woodland period (A.D. 500-1000), Hopewellian influence seems to fade and is replaced by cultural influences from the southern coastal areas. Swift Creek Complicated Stamped ceramics spread from the south. These are gradually replaced by Napier pottery. Late in the period, a number of distinct ceramic traditions developed across different portions of the Piedmont. Woodstock Complicated Stamped pottery appears to be most common in the upper Piedmont and mountain areas (Pluckhahn 1994), while Vining Simple Stamped ceramics cover most of the lower Piedmont (Elliott 1989). Both of these types continue into the subsequent Mississippian period.
The Mississippian Period (A.D. 1000 - 1540)
The Mississippian period marks the pinnacle of prehistoric social and political complexity in the Southeast. Large population centers emerged in many of the major river
8

valleys of the Georgia Piedmont during this period. A stratified society based on lineage or clan distinctions developed, with the power of the village or tribal chief depending on the control of agricultural production. Villages were sometimes fortified by palisades and moats to protect the inhabitants from attacks by rival, neighboring groups. Flat-topped temple mounds appear as manifestations of an emerging, shared ideology and regional trade network known archeologically as the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex.
The Oconee River Valley contains five principal Mississippian mound complexes (Figure 6). One of these, the Dyar Mound, was investigated prior to the construction of Lake Oconee (Smith 1981). The four remaining mound sites, including the Shoulderbone site within the project area, have been tested by researchers at the University of Georgia and the LAMAR Institute. These excavations have revealed that the mounds were alternately occupied and abandoned at different times throughout the Mississippian period.
The excavations at these mound centers, as well as at other non-mound occupations throughout the region, have allowed for the gradual refinement of the Mississippian period chronology for the Oconee Valley. Based on shifting mound occupations and fme distinctions in ceramic decorations, researchers have been able to separate the period into distinct phases as short as 50-75 years (Table 3).

Table 3. Phases, Dates, and Ceramic Attributes for the Mississippian Period in the Oconee River Valley (after Williams and Shapiro 1990).

Etowah

Armor

A.D. 1000-1100

StiIlhouse A.D. 1100-1250

ladder-based diamond predominates on Etowah Complicated Stamped pottery red filmin is absent

Savannah Lamar

Scull Shoals

A.D. 1250-1375

filfot cross, diamond, and circle motifs are common on curvilinear stamped pottery check and simple stamping, cord marking, burnishing, and cob marking are present
rims are icall lain

Duvall

A.D. 1375-1450

folded, punctated and narrow pinched rims are common Morgan Incised is present Lamar Incised is absent lain otte is common

Iron Horse A.D. 1450-1520

Lamar Bold Incised (with 2-4 lines) is present Morgan Incised is present
medium width folded rims are present com licated starn in is rare

Dyar

A.D. 1520-1580

complicated stamping is common wide folded and pinched rims are present
Lamar Bold Incised is common

Bell

A.D. 1580-1670

complicated stamping is rare fine multiple line incising is present
T-shaped rims are present ver wide folded and inched rims are resent

9

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,I
I"
I
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I I I

\
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\
\

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~

...

0 ...,.,-'
"

" " ,

\\
\ \ ,

I I I
,
I I \
,\ "
," ~ ~

\ \ \
I
\ \ \
\
\ ","
" "",,I

I I I I
, Scull Shoals

\
,\
I

\ \
,\ \

\
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\

, Shoulderbone \ \ J I ,I \,
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N

o

50

---~kIn

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_____ .1

Georgia

Figure 6. Mississippian Mound Centers in the Oconee Valley. 10

The first distinctly Mississippian ceramic tradition in the Oconee Valley and across most of the Piedmont is Etowah Complicated Stamped. In the Oconee River valley, Etowah ceramics are divided into two phases. The Armor phase is the earliest of these, dating between A.D. 1000 and 1100 (Williams and Shapiro 1990). Ceramic characteristics of this phase include almost equal frequencies of plain and complicated stamped pottery, and the predominance of the ladder-base diamond motif. The Stillhouse phase dates between A.D. 1100 and 1250, and is recognized by the disappearance of the ladder-base diamond motif, the rise in frequency of curvilinear motifs, and the appearance of check stamping, red filming and cob marking as minority surface treatments.
In comparison with those from later Mississippian periods, sites from both of these phases are relatively infrequent in the Oconee Valley. Less than thirty sites containing Etowah ceramics were located in the survey of the bottomland that was flooded for Lake Oconee (Elliot 1989). In addition, surveys have demonstrated that Etowah sites are infrequent in upland areas away from the floodplain (DePratter 1976; Elliot 1981b).
The Savannah period is the first Mississippian phase to be definitively associated with mound construction in the Oconee Valley. Based on the excavations at the Scull Shoals Mound complex in the Oconee National Forest north of Greensboro, Smith and Williams (1990) identify the Scull Shoals phase (A.D. 1250 to 1375) as the regional manifestation of the Savannah period in the northern Oconee Valley. Savannah period occupations have also been noted at the Shinholser Mound site south of Milledgeville (Williams 1990a). The Shoulderbone Mounds site appears to have been settled late in the period (Williams 1990b).
Ceramic markers of the Savannah include the predominance of curvilinear over rectilinear stamped motifs, the appearance of the filfot cross motif, the persistence of nested diamond motifs, and the presence of cord-marking, cob-marking, and red filming as minority types.
The Late Mississippian period (A.D. 1375 - 1540) is associated with the development of Lamar culture. Surface treatments on Lamar pottery include incising and complicated stamping. The rims on Lamar pots are often folded, and may also be pinched, noded, or punctated. The percentages of these decorations change through time, permitting the identification of a number of different ceramic phases.
The Early Lamar period in this region is divided into two subsets, the earliest of which is the Duvall phase (A.D. 1375 - 1450). Ceramics from this phase are characterized by the predominance of plain pottery, the presence of narrow folded rims; and the occurrence of Morgan Incised sherds (Smith 1981). Williams (1990b) suggests that the occupation of the Shoulderbone site may have peaked during the Duvall phase, at around A.D. 1400.
The second division in the Early Lamar period is defined as the Iron Horse phase (A.D. 1450-1520). Iron Horse assemblages are marked by a high percentage of bold incised ceramics, increased frequency of complicated stamping, and medium width folded and pinched rims. The Shoulderbone site continued to be occupied into the Iron Horse phase, but at reduced levels (Williams 1990b). However, it seems likely that a number of smaller sites that we identified in the surrounding area may date to this interval, given the occurrence of bold incising.
11

The Late Lamar period is also divided into two phases. The first of these, which is dated from A.D. 1520-1580, was defined at the Dyar Mound (Smith 1981), now submerged beneath the waters of Lake Oconee. Characteristics of the Dyar ceramic assemblage include incising with more frequent and finer lines, a greater frequency of complicated stamping, wide folded rims that are often pinched, and the absence of Morgan Incised. Williams (1990b) argues that the population of the Shoulderbone site declined dramatically during the Dyar phase, with the evidence for habitation at this time limited to a small area on and around MoundA.
The Bell phase (A.D. 1580-1670) marks the end of the Mississippian period in the Oconee Valley. Bell phase assemblages include wide folded and pinched rim sherds, occasional T-shaped rims, fine incising with up to 30 or more lines, and very little complicated stamping (Williams 1983). There is little evidence for Bell phase occupation at the Shoulderbone site (Williams 1990b). However, a slight presence in the surrounding area is indicated by the recovery of fine incised sherds from a few sites that were discovered on this survey.
The Historic Period (A.D. 1540 - Present)
European expeditions first explored the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions in the mid sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The first direct contact with the Mississippian chiefdoms in the Oconee River Valley was made by the Hernando de Soto expedition, which passed through the area in 1540 (Hudson 1989). DeSoto's route through the Valley is open to debate. Historical accounts indicate that the expedition passed through the town of Altamaha before reaching the political center of the province at the town of Ocute. DeSoto and his army then continued to the town of Cofaqui before exiting the Oconee Valley (Hudson et al. 1984). Based on its central position in the Valley, Hudson and his colleagues suggest that the Shoulderbone site may represent the town of Ocute. However, the relatively limited excavations at the site have failed to produce significant quantities of artifacts from the period in question (Williams 1990b). Williams (1990b:147) suggests instead that the Shoulderbone site could have been the town of Cofaqui, if it was visited by DeSoto at all. The debate is not likely to be settled without additional survey and excavation at Shoulderbone and other sites in the region.
The Spanish sought to strengthen their claims to the region by gaining the support of the Indians through economic and religious coercion. Fearing competition from the English to the north in South Carolina, the Spanish sent several military expeditions into the interior in the early seventeenth century (Smith 1992). However, by the late 1600s the English had gained control over the trade firearms and Indian slaves, and the Spanish were forced to move further south.
The period of initial European contact corresponds to the late Dyar and Bell phases in the Oconee River drainage. Immediately following the Bell phase, at around 1680, the population of the Valley plummeted. By 1700, however, Cherokee groups were known to be located in northeastern Georgia at the headwaters of the Savannah River. Apalachee,
12

Savannah, and Yuchi Indians were located to the south near present day Augusta, and the Ochese "Creek" Indians were on the Ocmulgee River near present Macon (Smith 1992).
The names and locations of tribal groups in Georgia were soon lost in their movement and disappearance. By 1750, only the Creek and Cherokee remained. The Cherokee occupied areas to the north in the mountains and foothills of the Appalachians, while the Creek lived in the lowland environments of the major streams, primarily near the Fall Line and in the Coastal Plain. Most of the Georgia Piedmont, including the Shoulderbone tract, was contested by both the Cherokee and Creek and for this reason was probably not densely populated by either group.
While historic documents from the period distinguish a number of different ethnic groups, these societies shared a very similar material culture. The ceramic tradition of the historic period Indians in the Oconee and Ocmulgee River drainages is known as Ocmulgee Fields, and includes brushed, plain, and incised pottery. Smith (1992:64) concludes that these traits spread east from Alabama in the late seventeenth century, as people fled Spanish domination and sought alliances with the English at Charleston.
The Piedmont was sparsely occupied by Muskogean-speaking Creek Indians until the late 1700s. It was not until the late eighteenth century that European settlement began moving inland from the coast. In 1786, the Creeks ceded their lands to the east of the Oconee River to the state of Georgia under the terms of the Treaty of Shoulderbone. This treaty was not signed at the mounds, but rather at the mouth of Shoulderbone Creek to the southwest (Williams 1990b: 1)
The newly acquired lands to the east of the Oconee River were distributed under the Headrights grant system. This system gave preference to veterans of the Revolutionary War, most of whom came from the Virginias and Carolinas seeking fresh farmland. The Creek Indians contested the ownership of the new land cessions, and often raided white settlers. Fortified houses, or block houses, were constructed in areas along the Oconee River to protect settlers from Indian attacks (Williams 1961).
There were few large slave owners in the Piedmont during the first few decades of settlement, and most of the agriculture in the region was subsistence oriented. Tobacco was the first crop of economic importance, but it was soon replaced by cotton. By 1820 cotton production, structured around the plantation system, had begun to shape the economy of the area. As the water powered textile milling industry developed, small landowners were bought out by commercially oriented producers. By 1849, the soils of the Piedmont were described as "worn out" from poor agricultural practices (White 1849:290). The population of Hancock County during this period was predominately black. Most of the residents of the area served as slave labor for the fields or mills.
The project area was spared much of the fighting associated with the Civil War until late 1864. Having left Atlanta in ruins, General Sherman continued his advance towards Savannah. Sherman's 14th Army Corps crossed Murder Creek and camped near Cedar Creek on their way to Milledgeville. During their march, federal troops lived well off of food and
13

supplies taken from farms along the way. Many homes and other buildings were burned by Federal troops passing through, and the area lay in economic ruin for several years.
Following the Civil War, a system of cash wages based on contracts between land owners and tenant farmers replaced the plantation slave system. Tenant farming continued until the second quarter of the twentieth century, when the Depression and the devastation of the boll weevil led many of the rural farm workers to seek work in the industries of the larger cities. A mass exodus from the rural areas of the Piedmont left many houses and farms abandoned. Many of the abandoned farms were purchased by the federal government in the late 1930s and 1940s, and eventually became part of the Oconee National Forest.
Today, the economy of Hancock and neighboring counties is predominantly agricultural, consisting largely of timber production and dairy, beef, and poultry farming. However, there has been an increase in industrial development in recent years, including mobile home manufacturing and some textile and clay production.
14

METHODS
Literature Review
In order to gather infonnation about previous archeological investigations, and to locate any known sites in or near the project area, the State Archeological Site Files at the University of Georgia in Athens were consulted prior to field work. Site File topographic maps of the project area, and Hancock County in general, were examined. In addition, previous archeological reports detailing survey and testing in the area were consulted for relevant infonnation regarding site types and settlement patterns for the region. Williams (l990b) report on his previous research at the Shoulderbone site was especially pertinent.
Aerial photographs taken by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service and curated at the University of Georgia's Science Library were examined for changes in historic period settlement and land use. County histories and old maps were reviewed for background on the historic period. Much of this information is presented in the background discussion and, whenever relevant, in the site descriptions.
Field Methods
Our investigation of the Shoulderbone tract consisted of a comprehensive survey, designed to locate all of the archeological sites in the project area. However, it differed from more intensive surveys, in that less emphasis was placed on delineating site boundaries.
While realistically it may be impossible to locate all of the cultural resources in a given area, we employ a methodology that will identify the greatest number of cultural resources with the allotted time and labor. We combine a predictive model (which identifies landfonns with high or low probability for containing cultural resources) with systematic subsurface testing to locate and delineate sites and recover infonnation about artifact distributions, cultural components, and site fonnation data.
The predictive model is based on the results of previous surveys in wooded and c1earcut areas in the Piedmont, such as a 1900 ha survey near Greenwood, South Carolina (Rodeffer et al. 1979); a 5700 ha survey of a portion of the middle Oconee River Valley (Fish and Gresham 1990); a survey of 1198 ha of timber c1earcuts in Oglethorpe County (Freer 1989); and, finally, a survey of 800 ha of c1earcuts in Jackson and Madison Counties (Pluckhahn 1994). These surveys demonstrate a patterned relationship between archeological site location and topography. In essence, high probability areas for prehistoric sites in the Piedmont are level to nearly levellandfonns such as ridge tops, ridge noses and spurs, knolls, saddles, terraces, and well drained level areas near water. Historic sites in the Piedmont are expected to occur on nearly levelland, particularly on ridge tops and near present and abandoned roads. While the entire survey area was examined for cultural material, high probability areas received the most attention.
15

The survey strategy in regions of high probability was to visually inspect all areas of ground exposure (such as clearcuts, roads, trails, or fields), and to excavate shovel tests in areas with little or no surface exposure. Virtually all surface exposures occur on upland landfonns (such as ridges) that have been subjected to clearing, plowing and erosion. As a result of this erosion, artifacts now generally exist only in the upper 30 cm of soil, where they are exposed by activities such as road grading and logging. Experience has shown that even limited and patchy surface exposures on upland landfonns provide a more expedient and reliable means of locating sites (especially low density sites) than systematic grid shovel testing.
Within the limits of the project area, we followed all ridges to their tenninus. Many ridges had dirt roads that afforded some surface visibility. Shovel testing was used to detennine the local soil conditions, extent of erosion, and the presence or absence of subsurface cultural deposits. Shovel test intervals were detennined largely by the size of the landfonn being investigated. For the bulk of the survey shovel tests were placed on 30 m intervals along high probability landfonns. On small landfonns the interval was decreased to 20 m and sometimes 10 m to allow placement of at least two shovel tests on the landfonn. Narrow ridges (less than 40 m of nearly level ridge top) were surveyed with a single transect of shovel tests. On broad ridges, transects were usually 30 to 40 meters apart with shovel tests placed at 30 m intervals along each transect.
As indicated in Figure 7, approximately one-third of the total project area has been clearcut within the past two years, resulting in considerable surface exposure throughout much of the tract. A total of approximately 378 off-site shovel tests were excavated in vegetated areas.
A site is defined as any shovel test containing three or more artifacts from the same broad cultural period (prehistoric versus historic), two adjacent or nearby shovel tests producing at least one artifact each from the same broad period, or a surface collection that has at least three artifacts of the same broad period. Historic sites that have other indicators of domestic or commercial use, such as features, foundations or ornamental vegetation, would also be considered sites. Artifact densities less than that described above would be considered artifact occurrences. Broader historic period landscape features, such as roads, terraces, fence lines and property boundaries, were not considered sites. Also, dispersed and concentrated deposits of trash less than 50 years old were not considered sites.
Once a site was detected its limits were detennined by either a crucifonn or grid pattern of shovel tests, on 10 to 20 m intervals. Site boundaries were determined using the extent of any surface scatter present, the distribution of positive and negative shovel tests, and by natural limits imposed by the topography of the landfonn on which the site occurs. Historic sites were often defined on the basis of the extent of surface features such as chimney remnants, piers, and wells. Site boundaries usually contain a 10 m buffer zone around the most outlying cultural material. After the boundaries were delineated, a sketch map of the site was drawn and the location was plotted on the 7.5' USGS topographic map. Site forms containing all pertinent infonnation were completed in the field.
16

Figure 7. Land Use and Shovel Test Locations in the Survey Tract. 17

Shovel tests consisted of 30 cm diameter holes excavated to subsoil and screened through one quarter inch mesh wire. All artifacts were bagged separately by provenience and given sequential bag numbers. Positive shovel tests were numbered sequentially on each site; negative shovel tests were plotted but not numbered. The locations of all positive shovel tests were marked with plastic flagging.
Laboratory Methods
All artifacts were washed and sorted by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. personnel and were analyzed by the author. Artifact analysis procedures included standard, macroscopic technological/typological sorting to allow for dating the site by diagnostic artifacts, describing activities through artifact function, and outlining lithic reduction stages and raw material use.
Prehistoric Lithics
Flaked stone artifacts were divided into two major categories, flaking debris and flaked stone tools, subcategories of which are described below.
Lithic debris is defmed as culturally altered stone that has not been used for any particular activity. It is the discarded by-product of tool manufacture.
Early reduction (ER) flakes are debris that retain at least the proximal end (platform and bulb of percussion) and 50 % or greater of the parent rock cortex on the dorsal surface. For quartz artifacts this is somewhat ambiguous. Usually cortex from quartz pebbles is darker or differs in color and has a rougher texture. Cortex from vein quartz commonly retains a dull luster that differs from non-cortical surfaces. Cortical flakes were further divided into three
size categories: < 1 cm, 1-3 cm, and > 3 cm.
Late reduction (LR) flakes are debris that retain at least the proximal end and less than 50% of the parent rock cortex on the dorsal surface. Late reduction flakes were divided into
three size categories: < 1 cm, 1 - 3 cm, and > 3 cm. It should be noted that this category
includes what are sometimes referred to as biface thinning or edge rejuvenation flakes. Because such flakes are typically difficult to identify with quartz (the dominant material in the region), this category was subsumed under the broader classification of late reduction flakes.
Shatter is all lithic debris that does not retain any proximal flake features or any proximal flake scars. Shatter usually consists of angular core reduction fragments.
Cores are flakable lithic raw material nodules that have at least two flake scars. Stage 1 preforms represent the early stage of biface production, wherein flakes have been detached from dorsal and ventral surfaces of a thick flake/blade blank or raw material nucleus in a radial pattern. On these preforms, the typical flake scar length is at least half the width of the blank or raw material nucleus. The crossection of the blank or nucleus is usually biconvex and the lateral edges are sinuous.
18

Chunks are distinguished from cores by the lack of complete flake scars or only one complete flake scar. F1akab1e lithic raw material is not considered to be cultural if it occurs locally and lacks any evidence of cultural alteration.
Flaked stone tools range from unshaped, utilized debris fragments (expedient tools) to deliberately shaped, techno-functional forms (formal tools). Discarded tools are essentially the final stage of lithic use.
Projectile points/knives (PP/K) are shaped tools that were often hafted, usually bifacially reduced, and presumably had a variety of uses. Usually, they are good temporal markers.
The biface category includes all bifacially reduced tools in the [mal stages of tool reduction (i.e., those that are reduced beyond the preform stage), with the exception of PP/Ks. These bifacia1 tools mayor may not be hafted tools.
Preforms are bifacially reduced blanks that have at least the second stage of bifacia1 thinning flakes removed but lack the shape of a finished, hafted bifacia1 tool, i.e. a PP/K. All cortex of the raw material nucleus or the flaking platform and bulb of percussion of the blank have been removed by later stage flaking. The preform is thinner than a stage 1 preform but still retains a biconvex shape and sinuous lateral edges.
Unifacia1 tools have been reduced through flaking on the dorsal or ventral surface of a flake/blade blank. This tool category may represent flakes/blades that have been repeatedly sharpened during use or it may represent formal, diagnostic tool forms. The latter forms commonly have steeply beveled edges, whereas the former, expedient forms are not as steeply beveled.
Flake tools are flaking debris that have evidence of use and/or minimal retouch on one or more lateral edge.
Tools that do not conform to tool categories described above are classified as expedient tools. The majority of these tools are usually composite tools (i.e., tools that have use-wear patterns indicative of two or more different uses) or are tools commonly described as notches or spokeshaves.
Other lithic tools include pecked stone tools and ground stone tools. Pecked stone tools include implements used for flaking stone, e.g. hammerstones and anvils. These tools display pecked surfaces on the protruding edges or comers (hammerstones) or concave or pitted surfaces on the flat sides of stones (anvils). Ground stone tools are stone tools that acquired their shape through grinding, rather than flaking, or are stones used for grinding vegetal materials such as grains or nuts, e.g. manos and metates. Ground stone tools were recorded by number and weight. Fire-cracked rock was recorded by weight.
Our technological analysis of flaked stone generally follows the lithic reductive models developed by Callahan (1979) as modified by Collins (1975:14-37), as well as the model
19

developed by Blanton (1985:Appendix F). In Blanton's model, the processes of flaked stone manufacture and use are perceived as a series of five ordered stages:
1. Procurement. This stage takes place at the raw material source, such as a geologic outcrop or stream gravel bars. Residue includes modified boulders or cobbles, cores, hammerstones, tools in early stages of reduction, early stage debris, and rejected chunks of raw material.
2. Early and Intermediate Production Stages. Production stages preparatory to final shaping are carried out next. In biface production, this involves thinning and margin shaping. In flake tool production, this involves core preparation. Early stage bifaces are recognized by thick cross sections, irregular flake scars, and sinuous margins. Intermediate-stage bifaces still exhibit irregular flake scar patterns, but the scars are less prominent. The residue of this stage include damaged preforms, smaller cores, debitage with moderate cortex, and rejected trimmed flakes.
3. Late Production Stages. This stage involves the final shaping, edging, and hafting of a tool. Associated with this stage are small hammerstones, late stage debitage, and late stage manufacturing failures. Late stage bifaces will be thin with straight margins and regular flake scar patterns. Heat treating should be common at this stage.
4. Tool Use. The goal of the preceding stages is the production of functional tools. Following Binford (1978), these consist of personal gear, situational gear and site furniture. Personal gear includes hafted bifaces, formal endscrapers, other bifaces, and flake blanks. Situational gear includes items of expedient nature fashioned to meet unexpected needs often by scavenging for material or modifying an item of personal gear. Examples include flake tools and modified formal tools. Site furniture includes items left at the site for future use such as grinding slabs, hearthstones, hammerstones, anvils, and caches of blanks or tools.
5. Discard. Final discard marks the points at which artifacts enter the archeological record. The locations of discard are related to the context of use . or site function. Based upon the type of discard it should be possible to separate sites of different functions.
Prehistoric Ceramics
Ceramics were classified by temper and surface treatment. In northern Georgia, temper generally falls into one of two categories: fiber and sand/grit. Fiber tempered ceramics, which were produced by the addition of small amounts of vegetable matter to the clay, can be recognized by the irregular impressions left by the fiber particles on the surface of the sherd. Sherds that are tempered with sand typically have a rougher texture, and small, rounded particles of quartz or other minerals are often visible in cross section. Typically,
20

archeologists have described sand tempering in terms of rather subjective assessments of particle size, using the term "grit" to refer to larger temper particles and "sand" to describe smaller aplastics. In the analysis of sherds from the Shoulderbone tract, we have employed a more object sorting criteria, using a modified version of the Wentworth scale, used by geologists and ceramicists to sort particles by size. Sand tempered sherds have been grouped into three categories: fine/medium tempered (aplastics less than 0.5 mm); coarse tempered (0.5 - 1.0 mm aplastics), and very coarse or grit (aplastics larger than 1.0 mm). Generally, fine/medium tempered sherds are more typical of the Woodland period. Mississippian period sherds usually contain larger temper particles.
Historic Artifacts
Historic artifacts were grouped into time sensitive categories representing different materials and means of manufacture, such as cut and wire nails, various colored container or flat glass, and ceramics. Ceramics were identified by their named type, most of which have known date ranges of manufacture (Noel Hume 1974; South 1977).
Evaluation Methods
All sites were evaluated using established criteria for inclusion of sites in the National Register of Historic Places. Only criteria "d" applies to most archeological sites, stating that significant sites "have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history." Sites were classified as:
1) eligible for nomination; 2) potentially eligible for nomination, additional research is required; or 3) ineligible for nomination
While the range of "important information" is wide and diverse, it can be simply defined (to make site evaluations at a survey level operational and practical) as consisting of data that provides new, non-redundant, non-trivial information beyond that which can be gathered by surveyor archival methods. This usually equates to sites with well preserved artifact distributions and/or features, or sites with unusual aspects that can yield insights and information into lifeways, subsistence, chronology, and other topics.
The primary reasons for recommending a site ineligible, that is, advising that it would not likely yield important new information are:
1) the soil strata containing cultural material has been disturbed to the extent that there is little potential for identifying meaningful artifact distribution patterns or locating features; or
2) the site is relatively undisturbed, but so little cultural material is present that there is little potential for conducting further meaningful research; or
3) the site is relatively undisturbed and material is not sparse, but the archeologically recoverable data is not considered important, relative to data that can be gathered by other means.
21

Sites recommended ineligible for the National Register are still important for settlement system studies and cultural history reconstructions, but the data necessary for these studies has already been collected by the survey, or can be gathered from other sources.
Theoretical Approach to Historic Sites
On the present survey, Reason 3 was applied to several historic period sites and warrants some amplification. As National Park Service Bulletin 15 states, the information contained in a property must be considered important if the site is to meet criterion "d". It must be important to either current theories or gaps in knowledge or to priority areas identified by State or Federal management plans. Unfortunately, management plans, theories, and gaps in understanding relating to nineteenth to twentieth century house sites in Georgia have not been consolidated or clearly presented. We are left to a somewhat subjective assessment of what is important. It is axiomatic that more excavation and research at virtually any site will yield some additional information, but it is clear that at many sites this would be trivial or redundant, and thus not important.
In spite of their great numbers, relatively few nineteenth to twentieth century sites have been excavated in Georgia, so archeological data would not likely be redundant, at least with other excavated data. It probably is redundant, however, with other sources of data, such as county histories, census records, wills, deeds, other court records, photographs, diaries, personal archives, informant interviews, and newspaper articles. One must ask of nineteenth to twentieth century sites, "What is to be gained through excavation that cannot be more expediently, and probably more thoroughly, gained through archival research and informant interviews?" Or again, "is excavation really likely to provide important information, or simply a reiteration and confirmation of known information (such as dates of occupation, status of occupants, diet and subsistence, refuse disposal patterns)?" For this project, we asked these questions at several stages, trying to determine what types of important information each site would likely contain.
Theoretical Approach to Rock Piles
One class of site that was frequently encountered on this survey poses special problems for evaluation. These sites, which consist of one or more rock features, are difficult to assess on the basis of survey data alone. While many stone features in the Piedmont are the product of historic land clearing activities, others were built as burial cairns or ceremonial markers in the prehistoric era. Prehistoric rock features of the type that have been identified in Georgia to date would be of obvious archeological importance, and would be considered potentially eligible or eligible for the National Register. Rock piles constructed during the historic period may be of some limited interest, but probably have little potential for yielding significant information through additional archeological investigations. Therefore, the eligibility of rock features hinges largely on whether they were constructed during the prehistoric or historic period.
In estimating the age of rock piles in the survey tract we consider a number of criteria based on environmental and spatial observations. For example, previous research has demonstrated that the size of stone constructions may be of some diagnostic value. Gresham
22

(1990) suggests that most of the smaller rock piles (i.e., those less than 5 m in diameter) which have been excavated in Georgia to date have either proven to be historic or have lacked any definitive evidence as to their origin (Gresham 1990:33). In contrast, many of the larger rock mounds and clusters of large boulders have proven to contain significant prehistoric deposits, including burials (Braley et al. 1985; Gresham 1990; Jefferies 1976; Jeffries and Fish 1978; Waring 1945).
Other environmental criteria include the proximity of the rock piles to known prehistoric or historic sites. These associations are relatively weak lines of evidence as to origin, but may be of some utility when backed up by other observations. If the piles are in close proximity to historic house sites, for example, it may support the assumption that the rocks were piled for later use as building material. Likewise, nearness to a cultivated field suggests, but does not prove, that a pile is associated with land clearing activities in the nineteenth or twentieth century. The fact that a rock pile is located along a property margin or fence line would also suggest a historic period origin (Garrow 1994: 16). On the other hand, the proximity of a number of Middle Woodland sites to a rock pile suggests the possibility of an association, in that the area would have been heavily utilized during a period when rock piles are known to have been constructed. In the absence of other evidence, however, the proximity of such sites should be considered equivocal evidence, at best.
Finally, we examine the configuration of rock piles on each site. Garrow (1994) observes deliberate patterning, including concentric circles and possible zoomorphic designs, on a rock pile complex in Gwinnett County. Although we feel that Garrow's assertions are rather subjective, indisputable and fairly obvious patterns have been observed in the distribution of Woodland earthworks on sites in the mid-West (Garrow 1994:29-30). Therefore, after mapping the distribution of rock piles on each site, we examined the maps for patterns. None were noted, perhaps largely because most of the sites in question consist of only a few rock piles.
These criteria are presented in order to weigh the evidence in favor of a prehistoric or historic origin for the rock piles in the project area. In most cases, however, the evidence is equivocal. As a result, we have considered the range of rock pile components throughout the project area, and have selected a representative sample for additional testing or protection. This sample includes the one rock mound, and a number of smaller rock piles of various sizes. In general, our selection is based on the degree of preservation and the presence of prehistoric artifacts on site or in proximity to the piles. This approach mirrors that which has been employed on the Oconee National Forest, where only a sample of rock pile sites have been recommended for protection (King 1992:23-24).
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INVESTIGATION OF THE SHOULDERBONE SITE (9HKl)
The Shoulderbone site, on a terrace on the north side of Whitten Creek, is a mound complex dating to the Mississippian period (A.D. 1000-1540). The site includes three mounds. The most substantial of these, Mound A, is over 10 m tall, making it one of the largest mounds in the Oconee River Valley, if not the state (Williams 1990b:31) (Figure 8). Mound B, along the western edge of the site above a low, swampy area, measures slightly more than 5 m high (Figure 9). Mound C, which consists of a low rise less than a meter high, is located approximately midway between Mounds A and B.
Our investigations of the Shoulderbone site were minimal, and focused on defining and demarcating the limits of the site so that it may be fenced. Before summarizing these investigations, we present a brief overview of the site. This information is drawn from Williams (1990b), who provides a much more detailed account.
History of the Shoulderbone Site
The Shoulderbone site has long been known as a place of considerable archeological significance. The first recorded account of the site may be that of William Bartram, who described a mound site in the vicinity at the time of his travels in the region in 1775:
Not far distant from the terrace or eminence, over looking the low grounds of the river, many very magnificent monuments of the power and industry of the ancient inhabitants of these lands are visible. I observed a stupendous conical pyramid, or artificial mount of earth, vast terragon terraces, and a sunken area, of a cubical form, encompassed with banks of earth; and certain traces of a larger Indian town, the work of a poweiful nation, whose period of grandeur perhaps long preceded the discovery of this continent.
Although Bartram's route cannot be pinpointed with absolute certainty, his description of the location of this mound complex most closely approximates the Shoulderbone site (Williams 1990b).
The Shoulderbone site is described in several nineteenth century publications, including Sherwood's (1860) A Gazetteer of Georgia and White's (1849) Statistics of the State of Georgia. However, the most complete and accurate nineteenth century account of the site is provided by C.C. Jones (1873) in his landmark publication Antiquities of the Southern Indians, Particularly of the Georgia Tribes. Jones produced a map of the site, reproduced as Figure 10, as well as a lengthy description:
In the retired valley ofLittle Shoulder-Bone Creek, about nine miles from the village of Sparta, in Hancock County, may be seen another group of ancient
25

Figure 9. View to the Northeast of the Shoulderbone Site, with Mound A in the Background.
Figure 8. View to the Southwest of Mound B on the Shoulderbone Site. 26

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Figure 10. C.C. Jones' Illustration of the Shoulderbone Mounds Site. Reproduced from
Williams (199Gb: 15).
27

tumuli...Approaching this series of tumuli from the west, the first which engages our attention (designated in the accompanying sketch by the letter G), in general outline nearly resembles a truncated cone, being slightly ovoidal, and with summit-diameters, measured east and west, and north and south, of, respectively, fifty-two and forty-two feet. Its base-diameter, running east and west, is one hundred andforty feet... Its present altitude is sixteen feet.
One hundred and fifty yards east of this mound is the largest tumulus of this group (C). It is a truncated, pentagonal pyramid, its base -diameters, measured north and south, and east and west, being respectively one hundred and eighty and one hundred and eighty-four feet. Its summit-diameters, ascertained in the same directions, are respectively eighty and eighty-eight feet. This mound is forty feet high.
Considerable excavations have been made in the eastern slope. Composed, as it is, of alluvial soil of the valley, the planters of the neighboring hills (entirely ignoring the claims of this ancient monument to preservation and respect--we had almost added veneration--at the hands of a utilitarian age), in by-gone years frequently resorted to it as a convenient source offertilization for their impoverished lands.
It is not improbable that the Indians used the summit and sides of this tumulus for the purposes of sepulture. Skeletons have been found near the surface, in a degree ofpreservation and possessing certain indicia which forbid the belief that their inhumation was coeval with the construction of the mound.
The tumuli D, E, and F, appear to have been designed and used exclusively as burial-mounds. For so many years they have been traversed by the ploughshare, and wasted by the winds and rains, that they have doubtless lost much of their original proportions. Their surfaces are covered with fragments of human bones, and pottery, beads, arrow and spear heads, stone implements, pipes, clay images, etc., etc.
The Mounds C, D, and E, are isolated by a moat or ditch, indicated by the letters BE. The total thus enclosed is between four and five acres. An additional ditch separates the mound E from the other two; and, at the point H, are traces of an excavation or reservoir, from which a third ditch (K) leads to an adjacent small creek or stream emptying into Little Shoulder-Bone Creek. The earth taken from these moats or ditches, and removed in digging the reservoir, was expended in the erection of the tumuli. There are no indications of embankments along their edges. All traces of this moat will soon disappear, and marked changes have already occurred within the recollection of the older inhabitants.
Within the enclosure, stone idols--similar in appearance to those found in the valley of the Etowah--and clay images, resembling the humanform in
28

distorted shape and feature, and fashioned after the similitude of beasts and birds, have been gathered.
Williams (1990b) has noted some of the problems and inconsistencies with Jones' account of the site. Perhaps most important is the fact that the north arrow on the map is shown approximately 55 degrees west of present magnetic north. Moreover, the creek is shown flowing in the opposite direction from its natural course. In addition, the "mounds" that Jones labeled "E" and "F" appear to be natural rises, rather than man-made features. Finally, Jones appears to have considerably overestimated the height of the mounds. These problems notwithstanding, the account provides a remarkably accurate appraisal of the site.
The Shoulderbone site was visited occasionally by a number of archeologists throughout the early and middle twentieth century (Williams 1990b: 13-16). With the exception of a surface collection of the site by members of the Society for Georgia Archaeology, which is described by Wauchope (1966), these visits are poorly documented.
Despite the fact that it had been known for over two hundred years, the Shoulderbone site was not professionally recorded or precisely plotted on a map until the mid 1980s. Prior to a 1986 University of Georgia field school, Mark Williams visited the site with the landowner, and used aerial photographs to pinpoint the location on a USGS map (Williams 1990b:19).
Williams' investigations remain the most thorough and best documented examination of the Shoulderbone site. Field work included detailed topographic mapping, and the excavation of 84 posthole tests and ten 2 by 2 m excavation units. Williams' map of the site is included here as Figure 11. As indicated in this figure, the mound designations have been revised. The largest mound, which Jones labeled as "C", is denoted as Mound "A". The nearby low mound that Jones refers to as "D" is termed Mound "C" by Williams. Finally, the earthwork at the southwestern edge of the site that Jones labeled "G" has been renamed Mound "B".
Based on the ceramic collection gathered from postholes tests and test units, Williams concluded that the major occupation of the site, including most of the mound building, took place during the Savannah and Early Lamar periods, probably from about A.D. 1250 to 1450. Based on the relative scarcity of Late Lamar ceramics, he felt that the occupation of the site during this period was insubstantial.
Artifact distribution data was combined with the evidence from aerial photographs to infer the existence of a complex array of palisade ditches and a large sheet midden. A copy of the 1951 USDA aerial photograph, which shows this midden area and several possible palisade lines, is reproduced here as Figure 12. Although relatively large quantities of midden were recovered from some portions of the site, Williams (l990b) conjectures that the peak in occupation was probably no more than 200 people, and may have been restricted to the chief and his wives, children, and slaves. Presumably, most of the chief's subjects resided beyond the limits of the Shoulderbone site, in scattered houses that may be represented by the many artifact scatters that were identified on our survey.
29

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Figure 11. Reproduction of Williams' (1990b:26) Map of the Shoulderbone Site.

Figure 12. Reproduction of the 1951 USDA Aerial Photograph Showing the Shoulderbone Site.
31

Delineation of the Shoulderbone Site

Williams' testing hinted at, but did not clearly define, the limits of the Shoulderbone site. Working from his posthole data it appeared that the site extended south almost to the creek, north about a hundred meters from Mound A, east to a swampy area known as Red Lake, and west a short distance from Mound B. However, there were some problems with the data. First, several of the posthole test designations are repeated L.TJ. the report, suggesting that there may have been some confusion of grid coordinates. Next, Williams does not present artifact counts for the posthole tests, but instead gives only a description of diagnostic sherds and total sherd weights. As a result, it is impossible to be certain if some of the posthole tests were negative or simply did not produce sherds. Finally, the grid was not expanded until negative tests had been reached, so it was unclear if the site continued in several directions.

The present study focused on defining and demarcating the boundaries of the Shoulderbone site. First, post hole tests were excavated at 50 m intervals on the periphery of the site, to complement the grid that had been initiated by Williams (Figure 13). Although the site datum could not be relocated, we were able to approximate its location from other benchmarks. Grid locations were established using a compass and measuring tape.

A total of fifteen posthole tests were excavated on the survey. Only one of these, at grid location N750 E500, was positive. This test producing a single plain rim sherd from the thin layer of plowzone. The rim is flaring in a manner suggestive of Savannah period pottery.

Figure 14 documents the location of the posthole tests that were excavated on this survey. Most of the tests that were excavated during Williams testing are also shown. As the

Figure 13. Excavation of a Posthole Test on the Shoulderbone Site.

32

800N -

750N -

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o





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Figure 14. Map of the Shoulderbone Site Showing Boundaries Based on Posthole Tests Excavated During Survey and Testing.
33

figure demonstrates, the northern and western limits ofthe Shoulderbone site are now defined by negative posthole tests. The eastern limits are defined by the property line, which is at the edge of Red Lake. We have extended the southern limits of the site to the northern bank of Whitten Creek.
The site boundaries have been marked every 5 to 10 m with hot pink flagging tape. Because this tape can become brittle and difficult to see with time, we recommend that the boundaries of the site should be more permanently marked within the next few months. Additional recommendations for the Shoulderbone site are presented in the concluding chapter of the report.
34

SURVEY RESULTS
As was previously noted, archeological survey of the Shoulderbone tract resulted in the discovery of 72 previously unreported sites and 21 artifact occurrences. The locations of these cultural resources are indicated in Figure 15. Brief descriptions of the sites are presented in this chapter.
35

--

o,.........--

1

kIn

Figure 15. Locations of Sites and Occurrences in the Shoulderbone Tract.

36

LocationlEnvironment

Field Site Number: A-I

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: White Plains

Topography: Terrace

Elevation: 122 m

Length: 160 m Width: 100 m

Vegetation: Clearcut

Site Nature: Artifact scatter/village

Closest Water: River/2

Distance to Water: 50 m

Elevation above Water: 5 m

"".

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 5 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 20 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HKl14

.S!.

"'.

'" . .5Mitfmp . ... '

".

.

-- .-.-,." ./~

.:Jt:.'

0 .- .- .-.-.-// .17

.-.- .- ~,"

9

,,/1'

eJ9

_-- \ .20
\ -..... ....



o

\

o\

I

-- . :.: ,_:,' - - - = : = - - - :

.'

o

FloPdploln

:i!! . .'

bom
Positive Shovel Test o Negativ( Shovel Test - - Site Limits

The Whitten Creek Terrace site (9HKl14) is located directly west of and adjacent to the Shoulderbone site. The topographic map depicts the location as a broad, flat terrace, but the landform can be more accurately described as a linear ridge elevated two to three meters above the swampy floodplain that surrounds it on all sides. On USDA aerial photographs from 1942 and 1951, this landform appears as an isolated field, which was apparently cultivated well into the twentieth century. The first generation of timber on this old field has recently been logged, leaving a relatively dense growth of briars.
Shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals across the site. Prehistoric ceramics and lithics were recovered from tests across the higher elevations of the terrace, as well as on the more gradual slopes to the north, east, and west. The artifact scatter ends more abruptly to the south, where the landform slopes steeply to the floodplain adjacent to Whitten Creek.
Artifacts were locally heavy in some instances, as evidenced by Shovel Test 8, which produced over twenty sherds. In addition, Shovel Test 9 produced a number of large fragments of daub, or fired wall plaster, indicating that house remains can be expected on the site.
The periods of occupation on site 9HKl14 appear to match those that have been identified at the Shoulderbone Mounds. A few sherds can be classified as Savannah Complicated Stamped, marking a Middle Mississippian component. A few bold incised sherds signal a Late Mississippian Lamar occupation, which likely dates to the Iron Horse phase. A possible earlier component, perhaps dating to the Late Woodland period, is suggested by an
37

Figure 16. View to the Southwest of the Excavation of Shovel Test 10 on the Whitten Creek Terrace Site (9HK114).

unusual incised sherd that resembles Weeden Island pottery types found primarily along the Gulf Coast (Willey 1949).

As a probable village extension of the Shoulderbone Mounds site, the Whitten Creek Terrace site has obvious research potential. There is a strong possibility that features, including structural remains and burials, could be preserved below the plowzone. We therefore recommend that site 9HK114 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
2 quartz shatter 3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 g fire-cracked rock 4 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 5 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 fine/medium tempered notched rim sherd

38

b c
a

e

h

f

a) pinched rim sherd (ST9); b) rosette applique rim sherd (SI8); c) unidentified incised rim sherd (ST5); d) plain rim sherd (ST16); e) Mississippian triangular point (S12); f-g) Savannah complicated stamped sherds (STs 8 and 20); h) Lamar Medium Incised sherd.
Figure 17. Selected Artifacts from the Whitten Creek Terrace Site (9HK114). Shown actual size.

Shovel Test 2

2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
2 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 Lamar Complicated Stamped sherd

Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

4 residual fine/medium tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 112 g fire-cracked rock
2 g daub/fired clay 5 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 plain [me/medium tempered sherds 2 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd 1 unidentified stamped coarse tempered sherd

39

Shovel Test 5
Shovel Test 6 Shovel Test 7 Shovel Test 8
Shovel Test 9 Shovel Test 10 Shovel Test 11 Shovel Test 12 Shovel Test 13

1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 possible complicated stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified fine incised sherd
1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
2 g ground soapstone 3 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised rim
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 38 g unmodified soapstone fragment 7 residual fine/medium tempered sherds
6 residual coarse tempered sherds 4 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 7 plain coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 2 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherds 1 unidentified complicated stamped sherd 1 rosette applique coarse tempered sherd
102 g daub 6 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 2 plain pinched rims
1 plain coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes < 1 cm
1 residual coarse tempered sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 residual fine/medium tempered sherd 1 plain fine/medium tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 4 quartz late reductions flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz utilized flake 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 1 plain fine/medium tempered sherd 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds
40

Shovel Test 14 Shovel Test 15
Shovel Test 16 Shovel Test 17 Shovel Test 18
Shovel Test 19 Shovel Test 20

4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 55 g groundstone tool fragment (diabase?)
1 quartz shatter 2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 4 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 7 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 notched rim very coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 3 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 plain fine/medium tempered rim sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake < 1 cm
1 quartz unifacial scraper 4 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 .plain fine/medium tempered sherd 6 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert flake > 3 cm
2 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 4 plain coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 Savannah Complicated Stamped sherd 1 possible Lamar Fine Incised sherd 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd

41

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-2 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Mixed hardwoods and pines Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Swamp Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 4-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 5 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Potentially

9HKl15

" ,,,

'" \

\ \ \
\

,,-

-

-

o
--

--

.....

,

\

,,\ \

o
'" ,"-

'.2 I .3,
t' - - - - - - - - ;I

0

"-, ,

o

\

..->:,

q..;.." , '",,,

o

.\ \ \
\

x\

a
=

10m

\ Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK.l15 is a small prehistoric artifact scatter on a ridge nose to the northeast of the Shoulderbone site. Vegetation on the site consists of fairly mature mixed hardwoods and pines with little understory. To the north and east, the site is defined by a relatively steep slope to a swampy area known as Red Lake.
Prehistoric lithics and pottery were recovered from three of the eight shovel tests that were excavated at 10 m intervals across the landform. Two of the three positive shovel tests produced only lithics, while the third yielded a few nondiagnostic sherds. Artifacts were restricted to the thin (ca. 10 cm) layer of plowzone that remain above the red clay subsoil.
Site 9HK1l5 appears to be a low density artifact scatter, and may represent an isolated hunting or foraging station. However, the proximity to the Shoulderbone site suggests the possibility that it could instead represent an outlying house or farmstead. Additional research should be conducted to better assess the nature and integrity of the deposits. We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

42

Figure 18. View to the West of the Excavation of Shovel Test 1 on Site 9HK1l5.

Shovel Test 1
Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 residual fine/medium tempered sherd 1 plain coarse tempered sherd

43

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-3 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 10 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HKl16
Clearcl./r
N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HKl16 consists of a single rock pile on a narrow ridge nose above a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The site is located in a clearcut that has been recently replanted in pines.
The rock pile, which measures about two meters in diameter, is constructed of unmodified quartz cobbles approximately 30 to 40 cm long. The rocks are piled haphazardly to a height of roughly 30 cm. The pile may have formerly been somewhat higher, but has been disturbed by recent logging activities. A number of rocks are scattered about the surrounding area, and a skidder path runs very close to the pile.
Like most of the rock piles in the survey tract, the example on site 9HK116 was probably constructed simply to clear the field for cultivation during the nineteenth century. The absence of any prehistoric artifacts in the surrounding area would seem to limit the possibility that the pile is related to any of the prehistoric occupations of the project area. As a poorly preserved example of a common site type, the pile in question is unlikely to produce any significant, new information. As a result, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

44

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-4 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: HilI/ridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 40 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HKl17

/------"'"

//

Clearct/!

I
/
!
i
/ /
I
,I

""~~ A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK.l17 includes a light scatter of historic ceramics and two possibly related rock piles. The site is located on a high ridge top that has recently been clearcut and replanted in pines. However, the site also continues into a small area of young pines that was left uncut.

Historic ceramics and glass were recovered from a roughly circular area measuring approximately 30 m in diameter. The collection, which includes the following material, can be broadly dated to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century:

Surface

4 plain whiteware fragments 2 blue edged whiteware fragments 1 clear bottle glass fragment

One shovel test within the surface scatter in the cluster of pines was negative, and indicated that the landform has been eroded to the clay subsoil layer.

The first of the two rock piles consists of a linear arrangement of small, unmodified quartz cobbles. This feature, which is located downslope from the main part of the artifact scatter, measures about 5 m long, 50 em wide, and 30 em high. A skidder path runs adjacent to the pile, indicating that it may be extensively disturbed.

The second pile is located on the highest part of the ridge top near the southern end of the artifact scatter. It is composed of larger quartzite and granitic fieldstones measuring 30-75 em in length. Unlike the rocks in the previously described pile, the shape of these stones

45

suggests that they may have been utilized architecturally, possibly for a chimney or foundation. The rocks appear to have been bulldozed into their current location.
No structures are indicated in this location on aerial photographs or road maps from the mid-twentieth century, indicating that the house may have been abandoned by this time. As a very poorly preserved late nineteenth or early twentieth century farm house location, site 9HK.117 has little research potential. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.
46

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-5 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Mixed hardwoods and pines Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 75 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 12 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HKl18

o

o

\

o

o

... -,

0', 0 / \ e / , 0

o

\

I

\

,

0,

\
I1txed Jla,:dwOOO's \ e 2. I
- - - - and P/nes~,- - ''
o

N

..:."

0

A

-- - -...... -

............

-

~/,.-..:."",-.-B-.'

.. _ ' .. : : ,,: .

- _ CQq'

0= 10m
Positive Shovel Test 0 Negative Shovel Test

- ...... ........ - ~ -...... Site Limits

Site 9HKl18 consists of a small prehistoric artifact scatter to the north of the Shoulderbone site. The site is located in a stand of mixed hardwoods and pines on the eastern side of a small field road. Artifacts were recovered from shovel tests on the edge of a broad ridge nose that slopes gradually to the south.

Two of the fourteen shovel tests that were excavated at 10m intervals in a cruciform pattern were positive. Each of these produced a single sherd from the 10-20 em of plowzone that lay above the red clay subsoil, as indicated below:

Shovel Test 1

1 unidentified stamped fine/medium tempered sherd

Shovel Test 2

1 plain fine/medium tempered rim sherd

The two sherds from the site can be dated to either the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. Given the lack of modifications to the rim sherd found in Shovel Test 2, the former seems most likely.

The site probably represents an isolated activity area related to the occupation of the Shoulderbone site. The extremely low artifact density suggests that it is probably not the location of an outlying house or farmstead. We recommend that the site has limited research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

47

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-6 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: 50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HKl19

- _ _ - .... :J.).r.olnage ...

Gt//I;ed Slope
,_ ..., , I I

I

,

I 02 \

f

,

f

I

I

I .3 I

!____ -
--

I

J

o t el I 0

\

'

...

_

I
/

o

o)
/
/

)
/
/

/0 / / / / ---~- A

_---

0 10m

____ .-- - ad

- -.. C==-~

J)/rf _R~_ _ - - Posltl:,e Shovel Test

-

0 Negatlve ~hovel Test

Site Lirni:s

Site 9HK119 is also located in the stand of mixed hardwoods and pines to the north of the Shoulderbone site. The site lies near the edge of a broad ridge nose that slopes gradually to the southeast.
Three of the nine shovel tests that were excavated at 10m intervals in a cruciform pattern on site 9HK119 were positive. Each of these positive tests produced small quantities of artifacts from 12-15 em of plowzone that lay above the red clay subsoil. The modest artifact assemblage does not permit a precise dating of the site, but suggests an occupation some time during the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods.
Although the site is relatively small and low in artifact density, the recovery of three sherds in Shovel Test 1 suggests that the artifact scatter could be more substantial than our tests indicate. The site could represent an outlying homestead associated with one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. We recommend that additional testing should be conducted to better assess the nature of the site. Until such testing can be undertaken, we recommend that site 9HK119 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

48

Figure 19. View to the South of Shovel Test 1 on 9HK119.

Shovel Test 1
Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

1 residual coarse tempered sherd 2 plain coarse tempered sherds
1 residual coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd

49

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-7 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 128 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Well Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 5% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK120

\\

\\

\\

\\

o

\
\~\

o

\\

Scatter of

\ II:)\

-_\ QuarfZ~ROCkS \'%..\ \\

,(i)

.".

a
Q

\,\
"

, \

0 VA~\I

,
\

\\

0

\Wehr;

,
b/' ~) ,

II

II

I I

"

,

. Pusl7p//e

,,~
--

N
A o 10m
=

~/

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK.120 is a historic artifact scatter that includes a partially filled well. The site is located in a mixed upland forest on a ridge nose. An old field road runs down the center of the landform. This is bordered by a number of large push piles.
The few artifacts that were observed on the site consisted primarily of large, unidentifiable metal fragments that appear to be related to agricultural activities. Six shovel tests excavated in the vicinity of this scatter were negative.
The roughly circular well measures about two meters wide and about a meter deep. Nearby are a number of widely scattered quartz rocks. These do not appear to have been piers or foundation stones, and no architectural remains were identified.
Given the absence of any glass or ceramics, it does not appear that this represents an actual house site. The metal artifacts could simply be related to farming activities, and the well could be associated with a possible house site to the southwest on the same ridge. No houses are apparent in this location on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, nor on the 1940 road map for Hancock County.
Site 9HK120 appears to have limited research potential. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

50

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-8 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 122 m Length: 40 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Probable well Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK121

Hefal Barrel and .JJebns

~.. ', ~, ':.
"0
--

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test Negative Shovel Test Site Limits

A historic artifact scatter, site 9HK121 is located on a small ridge nose above an unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The landform, which slopes gradually to the southwest, is currently covered by a mixture of pines and hardwoods.
Historic ceramics, glass, and metal were recovered from four of the seven shovel tests that were excavated on the small landform. The soil in these tests consisted of about 20 cm of rocky silt loam over a similarly stone filled yellow brown sandy clay. Artifacts were retrieved from the upper 20 cm.
Although a few bricks were observed on the surface of the site, no other structural remains were evident. Nevertheless, the concentration of artifacts suggests that there was indeed a house in this location. Judging from the artifact assemblage, the occupation would seem to date to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.
No structures are apparent in the vicinity of the site on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs. However, the area surrounding the site does appear to be cleared. Presumably, whatever structure stood in this location was razed when the exhausted farmlands were converted to forest during the early part of the twentieth century.
It is possible that features are preserved on the site. However, given the relatively late period of occupation, the site is not likely to produce any substantitive information. We recommend site 9HK121 is ineligible to the National Register.

51

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

. 1 slip glazed stoneware fragment 1 wire nail 1 clear flat glass fragment 3 clear bottle glass fragments
1 brown medicine bottle glass 1 plain whiteware fragment 1 molded whiteware fragment
3 brick fragments 1 mortar 1 plain whiteware fragment 1 clear bottle glass fragment
1 wire nail

52

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-9 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 100 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 15-20 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50%
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK122

Clearcur
)N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test Negative Shovel Test Site Limits

Site 9HK122 is a relatively dense prehistoric artifact scatter on a clearcut ridge nose. A large quantity of sherds and a few lithics were collected from the surface of the site, primarily from a skidder trail that afforded excellent visibility. Three shovel tests in an adjacent patch of young hardwoods were both negative.
The surface collection from the site consists primarily of small and eroded plain sherds that are of little diagnostic value. However, a few of the ceramics are decorated, and permit a tentative identification of the period of occupation. Judging from the presence of a number of complicated stamped sherds, a few pinched rims, and punctate and notched rims, the site would appear to date primarily to the Middle Mississippian Savannah period, or to the Duvall phase of the Late Mississippian Lamar period.
Site 9HK122 is obviously severely eroded and disturbed due to years of cultivation and logging. Nevertheless, the site could still contain preserved sub-plowzone features. Similarly disturbed sites from the same period have proved to contain the residue from houses, including not only postmolds but also associated features such as pits and burials (Ledbetter 1988). We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

53

Figure 20. View to the South of Site 9HK122. The shovel and screen mark the location in the skidder path where most of the artifacts were recovered.

Surface

1 Piedmont chert early reduction flake> 3 cm 1 quartz shatter 1 Coastal Plain chert shatter
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
8 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm 4 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PPIK 1 quartz other bifacial tool 2 Coastal Plain chert utilized flakes 9 residual [me/medium tempered sherds 9 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 residual coarse tempered sherd 20 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 25 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 2 unident. compo stamped [me/medium tempered sherds 4 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 6 unidentified compo stamped very coarse tempered sherds 3 pinched [me/medium tempered rim sherds 2 pinched coarse tempered rim sherds 1 punctate very coarse tempered rim sherd 1 noded [me/medium tempered rim sherd 1 notched coarse tempered rim sherd 1 plain [me/medium tempered rim sherd

54

b d
a
f 9
n
a) notched rim; b) noded rim; c) punctate rim; d) plain rim; e-h) pinched rims i-I) complicated stamped sherds; m) sherd disk; n) quartz projectile point fragment.
Figure 21. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK122. Shown actual size. 55

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-I0

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: White Plains

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 140 m

Length: 40 m

Width: 15 m

Vegetation: Clearcut

Site Namre: Lithic scatter

Closest Water: Strearn/l

Distance to Water: 150 m

Elevation above Water: 15-20 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 25% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Dismrbance Type: Cultivate/eroded
Percent Dismrbance: > 50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK123

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK123 lies just to the south of the previously described site, on the same clearcut ridge nose. The site consists of a sparse surface scatter of lithics. Quartz debitage and one tool fragment were collected from the surface of an area measuring approximately 40 m long and 15 m wide. However, two shovel tests in the area were negative and documented the fact that the landform has eroded to subsoil.

Given the absence of ceramics, it may be reasonable to suppose that site 9HK.123 dates to the Archaic period. It likely represents a short term occupation where tools were finished or resharpened. The potential for features on a site of this type is low. Moreover, any features that may have been present have likely been destroyed through plowing and logging. Accordingly, we recommend the site ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 cm
9 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K (medial/distal) 1 quartz utilized flake

56

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-II County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 152 m Length: 30 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamll Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK124
':., " YOVI}!J :. . Hardwoods
and Roes .

N

"' ..2J

-- ~-?~ ..;9~ ~ ...

... ---....

A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

On a moderately sloping ridge nose in a clearcut, site 9HK124 consists of a surface scatter of whiteware and glass. The small artifact assemblage generally dates the site to the late nineteenth or twentieth century:

Surface

3 plain whiteware fragments 1 annularware whiteware fragment 1 horse? tooth fragment

No structural remains were observed in the field, and no house is evident in this location on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, nor on a 1940 county road map. However, the site does appear to border an old field road, which is still evident today.

A single shovel test in the vicinity of the surface scatter was negative and indicated that little or no topsoil remains on the site. In all likelihood, the site simply represents an isolated scatter of trash, or perhaps material displaced from another house site in the area. The site has little research potential. We recommend it ineligible to the National Register.

57

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-12 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 158 m Length: 80 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Mixed hardwoods and pines Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 10% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK125

Clearcur

N
A o= 20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK125, which consists of a cluster of rock piles, is located on a thin ridge top that is currently covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines. We noted a total of five rock piles on the site. Four of these are clustered in a relatively small area, while the fifth is located downslope to the south approximately 20 to 30 m. All of the piles are composed of unmodified quartz cobbles stacked in a seemingly random manner to a height of 30 or 40 cm. The piles are roughly 2 m in diameter.
There are no prehistoric sites in the immediate vicinity of the rock piles. Although it is impossible to state with certainty, the features appear to date to the historic period, and were probably constructed as the rocky land was cleared for cultivation. The area to the south that is now clearcut appears to have been cultivated on a 1942 USDA aerial photograph.
We have recommended additional research or protection for several of the rock pile sites in the survey area, particularly those we feel have the greatest potential for having been constructed during the prehistoric period. The rock piles on site 9HK125 are most likely historic, and are unlikely to provide any significant, new information. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

58

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-13 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: HiIIlridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 200 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: House/farmstead/lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK126

\
\

\

\

\

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits J

"'-.

------ ''''-~-< \

\

. ..... .:.....::.,.:....~.

\,'
) \---

~

f:W'f

11

Site 9HK126 is located just north of State Road 77, in a recent clearcut. The site includes both a prehistoric lithic scatter and the remains of a historic era house.
The prehistoric component is concentrated on a high ridge top at the northern end of the site. However, lithics were also found downslope to the south, on the surface of an old field road. One quartz tool is identifiable as a Middle Archaic Morrow Mountain type. A single ceramic suggests that the site was briefly reoccupied during the Woodland or Mississippian period.
In addition to a diffuse scatter of whiteware and other artifacts, the historic component includes the remains of a house. Judging from the arrangement of fieldstone piers, floor joists, and two piles of brick and fieldstone chimney rubble, this appears to have been a small double pen structure.
On a 1~42 USDA aerial photograph, the house appears to be standing and the adjacent ridge top is still in cultivation. However, the house is not represented on a 1940 county road map, suggesting that it had been abandoned by this time. On the next available photograph dating to 1951, the area is overgrown, making it difficult to see the structure.
Although there is a strong possibility that features related to the house may be preserved on the site, the research potential of these remains would be negligible. The period of occupation is well documented in written archives.

59

a

b

c

a) Morrow Mountain projectile point; b-d) unidentified projectile point fragments.
Figure 22. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK126. Shown actual size.

The prehistoric component, although relatively dense, is probably the product of repeated, brief occupations, rather than any type of more permanent residence. Features are not likely on a site of this type. Moreover, the area containing the highest density of prehistoric artifacts has been extensively disturbed and is now lacking in integrity.

In sum, neither of the components on site 9HK126 has the potential to contribute important information. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

10 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
6 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 quartz core/fragment 1 quartz stage 1 preform 1 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flake 1-3 cm 14 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 13 g unidentified groundstone (diabase) 3 quartz PP/Ks
1 quartz PP/K tip 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 9 plain whiteware fragments

Shovel Test 1

1 clear bottle glass fragment

Shovel Test 2

1 green tinted bottle glass fragment

60

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-14 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 75 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: StreamJ1 Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/ Condition
Surface Exposure: 80% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK127

Oearcuf
N
A o= 25m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK127 is a fairly dense scatter of prehistoric artifacts on a ridge nose approximately 250 m south of Whitten Creek. The site is located in an extensively disturbed clearcut logging deck. This can best be described as a circular graded area ringed by piles of earth and logging debris.
Artifacts, consisting primarily of sherds, were recovered from the surface of the site, but one shovel test in the area was negative. Much of the pottery was collected from the surface of an earthen pushpile on the southwestern edge of the logging deck, but scattered artifacts were found across an area measuring about 75 m long and 50 m wide. Although it is possible that earlier prehistoric components are also present, the primary occupation represented in the artifact assemblage would appear to date to the Late Mississippian Lamar period. The presence of fine, medium, and bold incised Lamar sherds suggests a settlement from the Bell, or perhaps Dyar phase.
Logging activities have destroyed much of site 9HK127. However, previous research has demonstrated that even extensively graded sites from the Lamar period may contain preserved subplowzone features (Ledbetter 1988). For this reason, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

61

Figure 23. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK127. Most of the artifacts were recovered from the pushpile to the right.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 residual fine/medium tempered sherds 6 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 17 plain coarse tempered sherds 11 plain very coarse/granule tempered sherds 2 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 6 Lamar Fine Incised sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 3 pinched rim coarse tempered sherds 1 plain fine/medium tempered rim sherd 1 plain coarse tempered rim sherd

62

a
a-c) pinched rim sherds.
Figure 24. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK127. Shown actual size.
63

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-IS County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 60 m Width: 60 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 %
Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

PileO/~ ,,'

0""/ I ,

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.

,

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on knoll ~

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II

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//

Clearcur

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//

I/

//

// /

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//
//

/... " \ \ / I

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/

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JI

II

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,I

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK128 consists of a light scatter of historic artifacts on a high ridge top. The site, which lies about 250 m north of State Road 77, has been clearcut and used as a logging deck.

Artifacts were collected from a roughly circular area approximately 60 m in diameter. However, the single shovel test that we excavated within the limits of this scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test testified to the extensive disturbance the site has incurred, with only about 10 em of mottled fill lying on top of the red clay subsoil.

The assortment of ceramics from the site indicates a late nineteenth or early twentieth century occupation. With the exception of a few isolated brick fragments, no structural remains were observed on the site. On both the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, the area that includes the site is heavily vegetated, making it difficult to see if a structure was still standing in this location. However, no houses are represented in this area on the 1940 Hancock County road map.

It is possible, although probably not likely, that a few features related to the house could be preserved in the subsoil. However, the information that such features could produce would almost certainly be redundant with archival sources. We therefore recommend that site 9HK128 is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

5 plain whiteware fragments 3 alkaline glazed stoneware fragments 1 purple transfer print whiteware fragment 1 dark blue transfer print whiteware fragment

64

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 128 m Length: 100 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK129

II

""--

,J

""--

p;je-q-f--(/~ ' \

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r

, o/@\\,\,

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'r,
j/ I

t;

OfI I
I' ,.f"~' I N
// A

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~5m

Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

On a narrow ridge nose about 200 m south of Whitten Creek, site 9HK129 consists of a sparse prehistoric artifact scatter. The landform has been clearcut and used as a logging deck. Piles of earth and logging debris attest to the fact that the site is now heavily disturbed.

Widely scattered artifacts were recovered across an area approximately 100 m long and 50 m wide, but one shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test essentially consisted only of subsoil.

The small artifact assemblage from the site includes almost equal quantities of lithics and pottery, as indicated below:

Surface

1 quartz shatter 4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified compo stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 Lamar Medium Incised rim sherd

One of the sherds is classified as Lamar Medium Incised, and dates the site to the Late Mississippian period. It is impossible to say for certain without more pottery, but the site likely dates to either the Iron Horse or Dyar phase of the Lamar period.

The absence of significant quantities of pottery suggests that the site may never have been very substantial, or that it has been almost entirely obliterated. In any case, it now appears to have little research potential. Accordingly, we recommend that site 9HK129 is ineligible to the National Register.

65

9HK129

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 128 m Length: 100 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded
Percent Disrorbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

II

'''''

\ p;je~q-I f1--(/~ ""

t\/ Logg~"3~

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r

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\

\\ I

\\

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},I I

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I
J

. ,r;.~1 I

,...::
:'.,
.. '

A -./s~/I

N
o= 25m

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

On a narrow ridge nose about 200 m south of Whitten Creek, site 9HK.129 consists of a sparse prehistoric artifact scatter. The landform has been clearcut and used as a logging deck. Piles of earth and logging debris attest to the fact that the site is now heavily disturbed.

Widely scattered artifacts were recovered across an area approximately 100 m long and 50 m wide, but one shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test essentially consisted only of subsoil.

The small artifact assemblage from the site includes almost equal quantities of lithics and pottery, as indicated below:

Surface

1 quartz shatter 4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 em 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 Lamar Medium Incised rim sherd

One of the sherds is classified as Lamar Medium Incised, and dates the site to the Late Mississippian period. It is impossible to say for certain without more pottery, but the site likely dates to either the Iron Horse or Dyar phase of the Lamar period.

The absence of significant quantities of pottery suggests that the site may never have been very substantial, or that it has been almost entirely obliterated. In any case, it now appears to have little research potential. Accordingly, we recommend that site 9HK.129 is ineligible to the National Register.

65

9HK130

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-17 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hilliridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 100 m Width: 100 m Vegetation: Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 1 Negative ST:O Disturbance Type: Eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially eligible

~~~

\\

\\

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\\

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I

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roo
ZJro/nqge N

A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK130 consists of a dense scatter of prehistoric pottery and a few lithics on a high ridge top near the southern limits of the survey tract, about 150 m north of State Road 77. Although the landform has been used as a logging deck, the site has been spared the destruction that was evident on other artifact scatters in the area. One shovel test on the ridge top produced a number of sherds, and indicated that up to 20 cm of yellowish brown sandy topsoil are in place over the red clay subsoil.

The extensive pottery collection from the site includes over 200 sherds, many of which are diagnostic. Based on the presence of a relatively high percentage of complicated stamped sherds, as well as a few rims decorated with rosettes or small notches, we may estimate that the site was occupied during the Middle Mississippian Savannah period, or perhaps the Duvall phase of the subsequent Lamar period. Many of the lithics, including a small triangular point, are probably associated with this component.

A second occupation, slightly later in the Lamar period, is marked by a number of medium and bold incised sherds. The absence of folded and pinched rims suggests that this component dates to the Iron Horse phase.

The periods of occupation on site 9HK130 match those on the Shoulderbone site. The high artifact density, coupled with presence of daub, suggests that the site represents a relatively permanent upland farmstead. There is a strong possibility that features, including house patterns and related pits and burials, are present and preserved on the site. We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register. '

66

Figure 25. View to the South of Site 9HK130.

Surface

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 quartz shatter 14 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 31 g daub/fired clay 1 sherd hone 1 Coastal Plain chert Mississippian triangular PP/K 1 quartz bifacial tool 1 quartz utilized flake 7 residual fme/medium tempered sherds 27 residual coarse tempered sherds 12 residual very coarse tempered sherds 9 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 54 plain coarse tempered sherds 53 plain very coarse tempered sherds 15 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 24 unidentified compo stamped very coarse tempered sherds 2 Lamar Medium Incised sherds 10 Lamar Bold Incised sherds 5 pinched rim sherds 3 punctate rim sherds 5 plain coarse tempered rim sherds 1 rosette on folded rim sherd 2 notched coarse tempered rims sherds

67

d

b

c

e

k

p

m

n

a-b) notched rims; c) rim with rosette applique; d) punctate rim; e-h) pinched rims; i-k) complicated stamped sherds I) Mississippian triangular point; m-o) Lamar Bold Incised sherd; p) Lamar Medium Incised sherd.
Figure 26. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK130. Shown actual size.
68

9HK131

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-IS County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 50 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: I Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Potentially

II
II I,
,I , \

\\

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.....
.,

;"

,

.

.

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-

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\

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,

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A ""'" N

-'"

y""'"

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0= 25m

-'"

Positive Shovel Test

/

-'" 0 Negative Shovel Test

,/ ( - - Site Limits

Site 9HK131 is another prehistoric artifact scatter near the southern end of the survey area. The site is located on a clearcut ridge top, between State Road 77 and a gravel field road. Visibility in this portion of the clearcut was somewhat limited at the time of our survey, but eleven sherds were collected from the surface of a roughly circular area measuring about 50 m in diameter. One shovel test within the site boundaries was negative, but indicated that the site has been spared some of the heavy erosion that was evident throughout most of the survey area, with about 20 cm of sandy plowzone in place above the red clay subsoil.

The small surface collection from the site includes Lamar Medium and Bold Incised sherds and a fragment of what appears to be a folded and pinched rim. These permit us to tentatively assign the site to either the Iron Horse or Dyar phase of the Late Mississippian Lamar period.

Site 9HK131 may represent an extension of site 9HK130, approximately 100 m to the northwest. Due to the limited surface visibility at the time of our visit, we are unable to adequately assess the artifact density on the site. Additional research should be conducted to assess the research potential and integrity of the deposits. Until this can be completed, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

7 plain fine/medium tempered sherds 1 unident. compo stamped fine/medium tempered sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 1 folded and pinched rim sherd

69

Figure 27. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK131.

a

b

d

a) possible folded and pinched rim; b) Lamar Bold Incised sherd; c) Lamar Medium Incised sherd; d) complicated stamped sherd.
Figure 28. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK131. Shown actual size.
70

9HK132

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-19

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: Shoulderbone

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 128 m

Length: m

Width: m

Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods

Site Nature: Artifact scatter

Closest Water: Stream/l

Distance to Water: 25 m

Elevation above Water: 0-5 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 30% Surface ColJected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

~ ''J.~/ . swamp ~
"::JL
..
. ... .

iCleorCtlI-

N

A

R1'd.ge .J7q.oe

o f'. 10 m

Positi~el Te~t

o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

Eroded

Site 9HK132 is a small artifact scatter on a narrow ridge nose above a wetland formed by a tributary of Whitten Creek. The site is located just north of a large clearcut, in a forest of hardwood trees.

Three shovel tests were excavated at 5 m intervals on the small landform. Each produced a single piece of quartz debitage from the 20-30 em of sandy topsoil. In addition, one sherd was found on the surface of the site. Although it is eroded, this sherd appears to be Savannah Check Stamped, which would date the site to the Middle Mississippian period.

Site 9HK132 probably represents a specialized activity area related to the Savannah period occupation of the Shoulderbone site. The low artifact density and the small size of the landform suggests that it was probably not the location of an outlying house. Features are not likely, and the research potential of the site is minimal. We therefore recommend that site 9HK132 is ineligible to the NationalRegister.

Surface

1 medium/coarse tempered possibly check stamped sherd

Shovel Test 1

1 crystalline quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz shatter (lost in field)

71

9HK133

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-20 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 175 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

Dearcuf

,,. ...,

, 0\

,

I

' .... -,

r

N

Slope

A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test ~ o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK133 is a small surface scatter of quartz lithics. The site is located on a ridge nose in a clearcut. Recent logging disturbance has been extensive and the landform appears to have been eroded for some time due to years of cultivation. Large outcrops of exposed bedrock were noted, and the soil profile in our shovel test indicated that little or no topsoil remains.

The modest artifact assemblage from the site indicates that this was the location of at least one episode of tool production or resharpening. The site was probably occupied very briefly, and is not likely to contain features. As a result of its limited research potential and loss of integrity, we recommend that site 9HK133 is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
6 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

72

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-21 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 10m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream!l Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK134
II I I I
II
II 'I
I'
\I ,I
\I II II II
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I
II ,I
II
II
II~/~-0I1
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I\;
I/ II
I

Wooded

~ \ ...

\~ ~

..

\1>.,

N
A o 10m
= Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK134 consists of a light scatter of prehistoric artifacts on a small ridge nose that has recently been clearcut. The site is located high above a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek.

Despite relatively good surface visibility, we were able to locate only three artifacts on the surface of the site. In addition, one shovel test in the vicinity of these artifacts was negative. The recovery of one coarse tempered plain sherd suggests that the site dates to either the Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian period. The lack of significant quantities of artifacts indicates that the site was probably the scene of a very brief, specialized activity.

Although it is eroded through years of cultivation and logging, site 9HK134 does not appear to be as extensively disturbed as many sites in the survey tract. However, the limited nature of the occupation suggests that features are probably not present on the site. We therefore recommend that it has limited research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 em 1 plain coarse/very coarse tempered sherd

73

9HK135

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-22

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: Shoulderbone

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 140 m

Length: m

Width: m

Vegetation: Clearcut

Site Nature: Lithic scatter

Closest Water: Stream/1

Distance to Water: 150 m

Elevation above Water: 10-15 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 75 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

\ ".'<::3 \~ ",. I:> .<.\:> '.~ \ \
N
A
~Om Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK135 is located along the western edge of the survey tract, on a clearcut ridge nose. The site consists of a light surface scatter of quartz lithics. The ten artifacts that were collected are indicative of the early or intermediate stages of tool production, suggesting that the site was probably the scene of a single episode of tool production.

Features are generally not common on the briefly occupied camp sites such as this one. In addition, if any features were once present on site 9HK135, they have likely been disturbed by cultivation, logging, and erosion. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quartz shatter
7 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

74

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-23 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 146 m Length: 50 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 75 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK136

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.

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,

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/

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/

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N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK.136, a prehistoric ceramic scatter, is also located on a clearcut ridge nose on the western edge of the project area. Pottery was collected from the surface of a logging road, and from adjacent cleared areas.

The surface collection includes plain,

complicated stamped, and notched rim sherds (Figure 29), but unfortunately none are

diagnostic of a specific period or phase. At

least in general, however, we can say that the

site dates to either the Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) subperiods of the Mississippian.

Figure 29. Selected Sherds from Site 9HK136. Left: notched rim sherd; right: pinched rim sherd. Shown actual size.

Although the surface collection from site

9HK136 is relatively small, our collection of the site was limited by logging debris and a light

cover of secondary growth. It is possible that the scatter is more dense than is indicated by

our collection. As a possible upland house or farmstead, the site could include features.

Accordingly, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

75

Figure 30. View to the South of Site 9HK136.

Surface

5 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 residual very coarse tempered sherds 4 plain coarse tempered sherds 7 plain very coarse tempered sherds 2 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 1 notched rim sherd 1 pinched rim sherd

76

9HK137

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-24 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 15 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Approximately 100 m to the north of State Road 77 in a clearcut, site 9HK137 is a light surface scatter of both prehistoric and historic artifacts. The site is located on an extensively eroded ridge nose above a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The landform is cut by a number of gullies as much as 2-3 m deep. One shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter confirmed that the ridge nose is eroded to subsoil, and produced no artifacts.

The prehistoric artifacts include a few sherds that are identified as Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian types. The historic component includes a nineteenth century ceramic and a clay pipe bowl fragment.

It is difficult to estimate the nature of either of the components on the site. Both may have been more substantial prior to the extensive disturbance. It does not seem likely that this was the location of a historic house, however, given the complete absence of any structural remains. Possibly,both components resulted from brief occupations.

In any case, site 9HK137 has been almost completely obliterated from erosion. Due to the loss of integrity, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 residual very coarse tempered sherd 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd 1 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 punctate/bold incised body sherd 1 European pipe bowl fragment 1 alkaline glazed stoneware

77

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-25 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 146 m Length: 60 m Width: 60 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK138

\\ \ ~, \ ~ \ Knoll
\.,,.~,.\, ,k\
, 7::J'\ \0
\ <;:> \ \ <;:>... \
\\
\\ \\
\ '. \
\\

N/

A o
=

20m

Positive Shovel Test

Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK138 is a prehistoric artifact scatter on a clear cut ridge top just north of State Road 77. A small quantity of quartz debitage and a single sherd were collected from the surface of a roughly circular area measuring about 60 m in diameter. One shovel test within the limits of the scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test reflected the erosion the site has incurred, consisting of only about 5 cm of yellow sandy clay over the red clay subsoil.

The single sherd dates the site to the Middle or Late Mississippian period. Judging from the low artifact density, it would appear that scatter represents a short term camp site focused on specialized activities such as hunting and plant collection.

Although the site is not as extensively disturbed as many others in the area, it is nevertheless quite eroded. Moreover, the sparsity of the deposits suggests that features are not likely. We recommend that the site lacks research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
1 unidentified stamped very coarse tempered sherd

78

9HK139

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-26 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 143 m Length: 40 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 25% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

/
\

IN
A \ 0= 15m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK139 is a prehistoric artifact scatter on a wooded ridge nose that is bisected by a small field road. Quartz lithics were collected from the surface of the road, which afforded visibility of approximately 25 %. In addition, two of the five shovel tests that were excavated at 15 m intervals along a single transect oriented with the landform were positive.

In contrast with those throughout most of the project area, the soil profile on this site includes a relatively deep, sandy topsoil layer that extends 20 to 30 cm below the ground surface. Artifacts were recovered from this plowzone layer, which lay atop a red brown sandy clay subsoil horizon.

Although artifact density was light overall, the recovery of two flakes and a sherd in Shovel Test 2 hints at the possibility of denser deposits. The site is reasonably well preserved, increasing the likelihood that features could be preserved. We recommend that additional research should be conducted to better assess the nature and integrity of the site. In the meantime, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

79

Figure 31. Site 9HK139.

Surface
Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 quartz shatter 2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert PP/K fragment
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd

80

9HK140

Location/Environment

\

Field Site Number: A-27 County: Hancock

)

USGS Quad: Shoulderbone

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 128 m

Length: 30 m Width: 10 m

Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods

Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter/lithic scatter

Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 10 m

Hela/

Elevation above Water: 0-5 m

Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface ColJected: No Positive ST: 1 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

Reldslone Brt"ck Plie
N
A o 10m
= Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK140 is located on a small ridge nose above the confluence of two creeks. Vegetation in this bottom area consists of mixed hardwoods.

The site includes two components, one prehistoric and the other historic. The former
includes an isolated quartz late reduction flake ( < 1 em) identified in one of the four shovel
tests that were excavated at 5 m intervals across the top of the landform. This component is obviously the product of a very brief activity, and is of little research value.
The historic component includes a linear pile of fieldstone and lesser amounts of brick on the edge of the ridge nose. This pile is bordered by a small circular depression about one meter in diameter. To the north of the pile are a few rusted pieces of cylindrically shaped sheet metal. Although it is possible that these remains represent a razed structure, the absence of any historic artifacts in our shovel tests would seem to belie this interpretation. It seems more likely, given the site's location, that these are the remains of a still. In either case, the historic component apparently dates to the twentieth century, and probably has very little research potential.

In sum, neither of the components on site 9HK140 is likely to contribute significant, new information through additional archeological research. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

81

9HK141

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: A-28 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 20 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 75%

Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0

Oearcuf

Negative ST: I

Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded

Percent Disturbance: >50%

Eligibility: Potentially

-....

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK141 consists of a surface scatter of prehistoric pottery on a clearcut ridge nose. Visibility on the site was limited at the time of our survey, with the exception of a small logging road where most of the artifacts were found. A shovel test to the northeast of the road was negative, but the soil profile indicated that there is at least a 10 cm thick layer of plowzone remaining on the landform.

The assemblage from the site includes a high percentage of coarse tempered complicated stamped sherds. Unfortunately, however, we did not recover any more diagnostic sherds. At least in general, we can say that the site probably dates to either the Middle or Late Mississippian periods.

Site 9HK141 may represent an outlying house or farmstead related to one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. Although it has been extensively damaged by cultivation and logging, there is a reasonable chance that features could be preserved. We recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 4 plain very coarse tempered sherds 6 unidentified complicated stamped coarse tempered sherds 1 unidentified comp. stamped very coarse tempered sherd 1 large unidentified ceramic fragment

82

9HK142

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: A-29 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter/isolated historic ceramic Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 15-20 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 85 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: I Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

~

\
I\
\\
\\ \\
\\ \\ \\
\\ \\ \ \-----~
\
N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK142, which includes a few quartz lithics and an isolated historic ceramic, is located on a high ridge top near the southwestern comer of the project area. The site is located on a logging deck within a vast clearcut. The site has been extensively graded and eroded.
The prehistoric component includes two early reduction fragments and a small portion of a biface, perhaps a preform. This is likely residue from a single episode of tool production. Features are unlikely on a component of this type.

The isolated historic artifact may have been displaced from a probable house site on 9HK128 to the northeast. No structural remains were observed, and no houses are represented in this location on any of the pertinent maps or aerial photographs that were consulted.

Both of the components on site 9HK142 are ephemeral and poorly preserved. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake > 3 em
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz unidentified biface fragment 1 purple transfer print whiteware fragment

83

9HK143

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-1 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 182 m Length: 70 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Clearcutllog landing Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 15-20 m
Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 90-100% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

\\ \\

,'II

II

II

N

'I

A o= 20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK143 is a sparse lithic scatter on a broad ridge top. The site is located on a logging deck within a clearcut, and has been heavily disturbed. Artifacts were recovered from the surface of the log landing, over an area approximately 70 m long and 40 m wide. One shovel test within the limits of the surface scatter, as well as a number of others in the surrounding area, failed to produce any additional artifacts and confirmed that the landform has eroded to sterile clay subsoil.

The artifact assemblage is composed primarily of early and large late reduction debris, but also includes a few tools. One quartz projectile point or knife appears to be a Late Archaic Stemmed type. However, it seems quite likely that the site represents a short term camp that was repeatedly reoccupied. Possible evidence for an earlier (probably Early Archaic) component is provided by a steeply beveled projectile point tip.

Site 9HK143 is not likely to contain preserved features or artifact distribution patterns. We recommend that the site lacks research potential and integrity, and should be considered ineligible for th~ National Register.

84

b

c

a
a) metavolcanic preform; b-c) quartz projectile points.

Figure 32. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK143. Shown actual size.

Surface

5 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
3 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 quartz core/core frag. 2 quartz shatter 1 Piedmont chert shatter
3 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
14 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
4 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
2 quartz PP/Ks 3 quartz PP/Ks (medial/distal) 1 quartz other bifacial tool 1 metavolcanic Stage 2 preform 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake

85

9HK144

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-2 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 164 m Length: 60 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Clearcut/newly planted pine Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Strearn/l Distance to Water: 150 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

,,
\ \ \
\
1\ \
Ifoderofe Slope

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK144 consists of a scatter of approximately nine small rock piles on a clearcut ridge slope. The piles generally measure between one and three meters in diameter, and under a meter high. The rocks themselves range from small cobbles to moderately sized boulders. All of the rocks appeared to be unmodified quartz.

Like most or all of the project area, the ridge on which site 9HKl44 is located was probably cleared and cultivated extensively in the nineteenth century. The rock piles on the site were probably created in order to clear the field for plowing. There were no indications of any prehistoric activity in the area, despite relatively good surface visibility.

Whatever their period of manufacture, the rock piles on site 9HK144 have been considerably disturbed by recent logging activities. Better preserved examples of this type of site were noted in the project area, and have been recommended potentially eligible to the National Register. In light of this, we recommend that site 9HK.l44 is ineligible.

86

9HK145

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-3 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose/upland slope Elevation: 165 m Length: 90 m Width: 60 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock Piles Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 0-5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-80% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: I Disturbance Type: Cultivated
Percent Disturbance: >50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Also a rock pile cluster, site 9HK145 begins on top of a ridge and continues downslope for almost a hundred meters to a small stream. The site includes at least 13 small rock piles, each less than two meters in diameter and under a meter in height. The piles are primarily constructed of small, unmodified quartz cobbles.

Like all of the rock piles in the project area, those on site 9HK145 were probably constructed in the nineteenth century as the rocky land was cleared for cultivation. However, this is difficult to prove with any certainty. There were no indications of any prehistoric component on the site, either in the single shovel test or in the extensive patches of open ground.

Site 9HK145 is located in a clearcut, and all of the rock piles have been impacted to some degree by logging activities. In many cases this damage has been severe. Better preserved examples of this type of site are common in the project area, and a sample have been recommended for protection. We recommend that site 9HK145 is ineligible to the National Regis.ter.

87

9HK146

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-4 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 165 m Length: 75 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 360 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 70% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

'" ... !ijtJ)( , "--" Rockpl!e
N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK146 consists of two rock piles on a clearcut ridge slope. Both of the piles are small, and are constructed of quartz cobbles measuring 15-40 cm in length. The rocks are stacked haphazardly to a height of approximately 50 cm. Logging activities have disturbed the southernmost of the two rock piles, leaving it as a somewhat diffuse scatter.

Although it is difficult to prove with any certainty, it seems likely that the rock piles on site 9HK146 were constructed in the nineteenth century as the land was cleared for cultivation. No prehistoric artifacts were observed on the surface of the site, or in a shovel test that was excavated between the two piles.

We have recommended that several of the better preserved and more substantial rock features in the project area should be considered potentially eligible for the National Register pending further research. As one of the poorer examples of this type of site, we recommend that site 9HK146 is ineligible.

88

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-5 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 165 m Length: 200 m Width: 80 m Vegetation: Clearcut/newly planted Site Nature: Lithic scatter/rock piles Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 240 m Elevation above Water: 10-15 m
ColIections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-75% Surface ColIected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK147
\
...--- ............... -Q~ -
- '" so ~
N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - SiteLimits

Site 9HK147 probably contains two unrelated

components. The first, a prehistoric lithic scatter, is confined

to a relatively small area on a level ridge nose. A small sample

of quartz debitage and two tools were recovered from the

surface of this level area, which has been clearcut and replanted

in pine. One of the tools appears to be a Late Archaic stemmed

projectile point or lmife (Figure 33). Although it is possible

that many artifacts have been lost to erosion, the small

assemblage is consistent with a short term camp site where tools

were manufactured or resharpened.

Figure 33. PP/K from

Site 9HK147. The second component on the site consists of a diffuse

scatter of rock piles on the ridge slopes to either side of the

lithic scatter. At least 36 small rock piles were noted in an area stretching about 200 m in

length and 80 m in width. The piles generally measure less than two meters in diameter, and

under 50 cm high. They are haphazardly constructed of small quartz cobbles.

The Late Archaic period is not a time during which rock piles are known to have been constructed. In all probability, the two components on the site are unrelated, and the rock piles date to the historic period.

89

Figure 34. View to the North of Site 9HK147.

However, as one of the largest and best preserved rock pile scatters in the project area, we recommend that site 9HK147 should be preserved for future research. The lithic scatter, although low in artifact density and obviously disturbed, should also be protected in order to ascertain if the two components could be related. Accordingly, we recommend that site 9HK147 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz core/core fragment 4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
7 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 quartz PP/K 1 quartz bifacial tool

90

9HK148

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-6 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 158 m Length: 185 m Width: 90 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 60% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Dismrbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

-;:/N

..- ...

A 0 20m
=

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK148 also contains both rock piles and a prehistoric component. At least 19 small rock piles were noted on the site, encompassing an area just under 200 m long and 100 m wide on an eroded toe slope. Like most of the stone features in the project area, these consist of small, unmodified quartz cobbles piled in a seemingly random manner to a height of no more than a meter.

The prehistoric component on the site, which was identified in the single shovel test, consists of an isolated quartz tool (Figure 35). This artifact is not diagnostic, but probably dates to the Archaic period, a time when rock piles are not known to have been constructed. Although the site has been clearcut and much of the ground surface was exposed, we were unable to locate any other artifacts.

Presumably, the two components on the site are unrelated, with the rock piles dating to the historic period. However, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated on the basis of the survey data. As one of the largest and best preserved rock pile scatters in the survey area, site 9HK148 should be preserved for future research. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible for the National Register.

Figure 35. Quartz Biface from Site 9HK148.

91

Figure 36. View to the East of Site 9HK148. 92

9HK149

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-7 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 140 m Length: 20 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 20 m Elevation above Water: 2 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-90% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 1 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK149, a prehistoric lithic scatter, is located on a clearcut toe slope above the confluence of a few small drainages. Artifacts were recovered from one of the two shovel tests excavated on the site, as well as from the surface of the site. Most of the surface artifacts were retrieved from a five meter wide area around Shovel Test 1. Soil profiles in the shovel tests revealed that only a few centimeters of clay loam remain above the red clay subsoil.

The fact that the artifacts were relatively concentrated suggests that site 9HK149 could be a single component camp site. One of the projectile points from the surface collection appears to be a Late Archaic stemmed type. Two fragments of soapstone would also suggest a Late Archaic date.

Prior to clearcutting, site 9HK149 may have had considerable research potential. Now, however, the site is clearly lacking integrity. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

93

Left and Center: Soapstone Fragments. Right: Quartz preform or bifacial chopper.
Figure 37. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK149. Shown actual size.

Surface Shovel Test 1

16 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 14 quartz early reduction flakes> 3 cm 10 quartz shatter 1 quartz Stage 1 preform 2 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
49 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 6 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake < 1 cm
18 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 192 g ground soapstone 106 g fire-cracked rock
2 quartz PP/Ks 1 quartz other bifacia1 tool 2 quartz ud biface fragments 2 quartz utilized flakes 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 1 residual coarse tempered sherd 4 plain very coarse tempered sherds (probable Lamar)
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm

94

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-8 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 158 m Length: 110m Width: 80 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 240 m Elevation above Water: 20 m
CoIlections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-5% Surface CoIlected: Yes Positive ST: 5 Negative ST: 1I Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK150
I

i '>< ...-:-., t--
/;'.- 1 Rockpil)e

I

II ~ \

1

II

/1

l 0

:

\J/

;,Y 1(' ".3

11

0

II

I

/

II

.r /
/

0 .5.:'I

I

I

0t

.2 :M' Surface ArH{ocfs

~0 I

I

/~

.
"Ra-Kp/e

I

\

/r'~ / Eroded

o

// O\~, /

~

-__

11// "'/\''\

o

...... -- -/~.",."
~ IIII

A ',~ N

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0 20 m

'i/~~ . \ ".".'" /~
"/

c::::== Positive Shovel Test 0 Negative Shovel Test

//\

Site Limits

Site 9HK150 is located approximately 240 m east of a small, unnamed tributary of

Whitten Creek, on a ridge nose covered by mixed hardwoods and pines. The site consists

primarily of a relatively large prehistoric artifact scatter, but also includes several small rock

piles.

Artifacts were recovered from the surface of a small field road, and from five of the 16 shovel tests that were excavated on or near the site. Cultural material was confined to the plowzone, a 10-15 cm thick layer of dark brown clay loam that lay above the red clay subsoil.

The pottery assemblage includes medium and fine Lamar Incised sherds, as well as plain and complicated stamped ceramics. Although the collection is small, it would appear to date late in the Lamar period, probably to the Bell phase (or perhaps less likely the Dyar phase). If so, it would post-date the latest occupation of the Shoulderbone Mounds site.

c
a) Lamar Fine Incised sherd; b-c) Lamar Medium Incised sherds.
Figure 38. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK150. Shown actual size.

Although the overall artifact density appears to be relatively low, the recovery of six sherds in Shovel Test 1 suggests that the deposits could be heavier in some areas. It may represent a small farmstead. While it is eroded, there is a strong possibility of sub-plowzone features.

95

Figure 39. View to the Northwest of the Road Intersection on Site 9HK150.

The six rock piles on the site, which are located beyond the limits of the artifact scatter, are presumably unrelated to this Mississippian component. All of the piles are small, and are typical of those that have proven to be remnants of historic period agricultural activities.

Based on the strong research potential of the Mississippian artifact scatter, we recommend that site 9HK150 is potentially eligible for the National Register and should be preserved. While the research potential of the rock piles is probably very limited, they are reasonably intact, and should also be protected for future research.

Surface

3 residual coarse tempered sherds 3 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd

Shovel Test 1

2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 Lamar Fine Incised sherds 1 Lamar Medium Incised sherd

Shovel Test 2

1 plain fine/med tempered rim sherd

Shovel Test 3

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 4

1 quartz shatter 1 punctate coarse tempered rim sherd

Shovel Test 5

1 plain coarse tempered sherd

96

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-9 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 152 m Length: 40 m Width: 10m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Strearn/2 Distance to Water: 170 m Elevation above Water: 20 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-5% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK151
o
Surface Scalf,
N
A
o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK151 is a smaller prehistoric artifact scatter just to the southwest of the previously described site. Shovel tests on the small ridge nose on which the site is located were all negative, but a modest collection of sherds and two expedient lithic tools were recovered from the surface of a field road. The resulting artifact assemblage generally dates the site to the Late Lamar period. Although it is impossible to date the site more precisely based on such a small collection of pottery, the presence of a bold incised sherd suggest an Iron Horse or Dyar phase occupation.

Site 9HK151 probably represents a small, outlying farmstead related to one of the mound occupations. Unfortunately, most of the site appears to have been eroded away. Shovel tests revealed that little or no topsoil remains on the site, and erosional gullies have cut the edges of the landform. Because of this loss of integrity, we recommend site 9HK151 ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz utilized flake 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake 2 residual fine/med tempered sherds 3 plain fine/med tempered sherds 2 ud complicated stamped fine/med tempered sherds 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 1 folded and pinched fine/med tempered rim sherd 1 plain fine/med tempered rim sherd 1 plain sherd disk

97

9HK152

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-IO County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Bench Elevation: 140 m Length: 30 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Strearn/2 Distance to Water: 45 m Elevation above Water: 6 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

o
".
N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK152 is another small artifact scatter in the same vicinity as the two previously described sites, but located closer to the small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. Three of the nine shovel tests that were excavated on a wooded bench above the creek were positive. Each produced one artifact from the 10-15 cm of yellowish brown sandy loam that remains above the orange clay subsoil, as indicated below:

Shovel Test 1

1 residual coarse tempered sherd

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 3

1 plain very coarse tempered sherd

The presence of a sherd suggests that the site dates to the Woodland or Mississippian period.

The low artifact density indicates that site 9HK152 probably represents a short term camp, rather than any type of residence. As such, it is not likely to contain features. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

98

9HK153

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: B-ll

County: Hancock

USGS Quad: White Plains

Topography: Ridge nose

Elevation: 146 m

Length: 50 m Width: 40 m

o

Vegetation: Upland mixed

Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter

Closest Water: Stream/2

Distance to Water: 170 m

Elevation above Water: 20 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 0-10% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 6 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: <50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.153 is a small subsurface artifact scatter on a ridge nose covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines. In addition, the site includes a small rock pile.

Four of the ten shovel tests that were excavated on the ridge nose were positive. Each produced a small quantity of artifacts from the approximately 20 cm thick plowzone layer. Despite good surface visibility, no artifacts were recovered from the surface of a food plot and pushpile to the south.

The small artifact assemblage can only be broadly dated to the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. Although artifact density was light in our shovel tests, the presence of a few fragments of fired clay or daub in Shovel Test 4 suggests the possibility that the site represents an outlying house or farmstead associated with one of the mound occupations. As such it could have considerable research potential.

The single rock pile on the site is much like those that were identified throughout the project area. Although we assume that it is not related to the prehistoric component, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated on the basis of the survey data.

Based primarily on the merits of the prehistoric artifact scatter, we recommend that site 9HK153 is potentially eligible to the National Register. The rock pile on the site should also be considered potentially eligible.

99

Figure 40. View to the Southwest of Site 9HK153.

Shovel Test 1
Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 residual fme/med tempered sherd 2 plain fine/med tempered sherds
1 residual coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd
6 g fired clay 1 residual fme/med tempered sherd

100

9HK154

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-12 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 152 m Length: 40 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Rock piles and rock mound Closest Water: Strearn/2 Distance to Water: 360 m Elevation above Water: 13 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 70% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

Rock lIovnd
N
A - - - 0 10m = Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK154 is located on a high ridge top that is covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines. The site consists of a number of stone features of uncertain origin. A few of the stone features are identical to the type of small rock piles that are abundant throughout most of the project area. However, one of the features is much larger, and is more accurately described as a rock mound. This mound measures approximately 10 by 15 m at its base. It is composed of quartz cobbles piled to a height of about 1.5 m above the surrounding ground surface.

Previous research has suggested that while many of the smaller rock piles are associated with historic land clearing activities, larger rock mounds such as that on site 9HK154 are often associated with prehistoric ceremonial activities. Similar rock mounds have, upon excavation, revealed human burials. Typically, these are associated with the Middle Woodland period.

Three shovel tests in the vicinity of the stone features on site 9HK154 failed to yield any artifacts. While the rock piles, and perhaps even the rock mound, were likely constructed during the historic period, this cannot be demonstrated on the basis of the survey data. The resemblance of the mound to other features that have proven to be burial cairns requires that additional research should be conducted. We therefore recommend that site 9HK154 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

101

Figure 41. View to the North of the Rock Mound on Site 9HK154. 102

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-13 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 146 m Length: 50 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 23 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 3 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK155

O~.!-~\~\ /

\

5;~ S/90e

I

,

1

\, .3/' \ .2

I

o .... _ .....

o o

o

"\.~

o

."~?'

~------
c-----;

x/ 20m

\ = ~T~~~~el o Negative ShovelTTeestst

- - Site Limits

Site 9HK155 is a prehistoric artifact scatter on a ridge nose to the west of a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. Because the site is covered by a mixture of hardwoods and pines, it was defmed and delineated on the basis of shovel tests.

Three of the 11 tests that were excavated on the landform were positive. In two of these tests, the artifact density was modest, consisting of just one or two flakes or sherds. However, Shovel Test 1 produced 10 sherds, including one fragment of Lamar Incised pottery. The medium width of the incised line is typical of Iron Horse or Dyar phase ceramics, but unfortunately the small size of the collection does not permit a more precise temporal assignment. A slightly earlier, Middle Mississippian Savannah occupation is marked by the presence of a cob marked rim sherd.

Left: Lamar Medium incised sherd from STI. Right: Savannah Cob Marked Rim Sherd from S1'2.
Figure 42. Selected Artifacts from Site 9HK155. Shown actual size.

Soil profiles on site 9HK155 consisted of 15-20 cm of brown sand loam over a reddish brown clay subsoil, indicating that the site is reasonably well preserved. As a possible small homestead related to the Shoulderbone site, this small, but locally dense artifact scatter has the potential to contain preserved features. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

103

Figure 43. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK155 from Shovel Test 3.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

9 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 Lamar medium incised sherd
1 quartz late reduction flake 1 cob marked flaring rim coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd

104

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-14 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 122 m Length: 170 m Width: 190 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Historic/prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Streamf2 Distance to Water: 5 m Elevation above Water: 1 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 15 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK156

"~ :'swomp

Site 9HK156 contains both prehistoric and historic artifact scatters. The site is located on a ridge nose above a beaver pond formed by the damming of a small tributary of Whitten Creek. Vegetation on the site consists primarily of hardwoods, with lesser amounts of mature pines.

Fifteen of the 23 shovel tests that were excavated on or in the vicinity of the site were positive. All of the positive tests produced at least one prehistoric artifact, and three also produced one or more historic artifacts. Soil profiles generally consisted of between 10 and 20 cm of reddish brown clay loam plowzone over the red clay subsoil.

The prehistoric component on site 9HK156, on the other hand, appears to be fairly dense and well preserved. Although the ceramic collection is small and largely nondiagnostic, a few of the sherds appear to be Savannah Complicated Stamped (Figure 44). This would date the site to the Savannah period, and make it contemporaneous with what appears to be the most intensive occupation on the Shoulderbone site (Williams 1990b). As a possible extension of the Shoulderbone village, this component has excellent research potential.

Figure 44.

Savannah

Complicated Stamped Sherd

from Shovel Test 14 on Site

9HK156. Shown actual size.

105

The historic component on the site is limited to a few pieces of whiteware and a kettle leg. With the exception of a modem coop or pen, we observed no structural remains on the site. No houses are apparent in this location on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, nor on the 1940 county road map. As a dispersed, low density scatter of late nineteenth or early twentieth century artifacts, this component has very limited research potential.
We recommend that site 9HK156 is potentially eligible to the National Register based on the merits of the prehistoric component. The site should be protected from development or mitigated if avoidance is not feasible.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

Figure 45. View to the North of Site 9HK156 from Shovel Test 6.
1 quartz early reduction flake 1 quartz utilized flake 4 residual coarse tempered sherds 2 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 blue tinted whiteware fragment
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 5 residual coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz PPIK tip
106

Shovel Test 4 Shovel Test 5
Shovel Test 6 Shovel Test 7
Shovel Test 8 Shovel Test 9 Shovel Test 10 Shovel Test 11 Shovel Test 12 Shovel Test 13 Shovel Test 14 Shovel Test 15

1 residual very coarse tempered sherd 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
2 residual coarse tempered sherds 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 1 ud complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd 3 plain whiteware fragments 1 kettle leg
1 residual fine/med tempered sherds 1 plain whiteware fragment
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 residual very coarse tempered sherds 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 ud complicated stamped very coarse tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 5 residual coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 ud complicated stamped very coarse tempered sherds
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 plain fine/med tempered sherd
1 quartz shatter 1 residual fine/med tempered sherd 1 Savannah complicated stamped sherd
1 plain very coarse tempered sherd

107

9HK157

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-15 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 122 m Length: 60 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed/planted food plot Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 30 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-50% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 3 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

o Gull;es o

(

P(Jsop/le

\.l:/

Low

F/oodp/o/;' /

~

N
o= Azom
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel TI~st
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.157 is a prehistoric artifact scatter at the gullied end of a narrow ridge nose. The site is located just above the floodplain of Whitten Creek, and extends from a small, grassy foodplot into the surrounding mixed hardwood forest. Artifacts were retrieved from the surface of the foodplot, and from two shovel tests to the east. Soil profiles in the shovel tests consisted of 10-15 em of greyish brown sandy loam plowzone over reddish brown clay.

The modest artifact assemblage is dominated by lithic debitage, but also includes a few tools (Figure 46). The presence of a few sherds dates the site to the Woodland or Mississippian period. Given the fact that a few of the flakes are heavily patinated, it seems likely that an earlier, Archaic component may also be present.

Site 9HK.157 has been heavily disturbed by cultivation, grading, and erosion. This disturbance, coupled with the generally low artifact density, reduces the likelihood of preserved features. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Left: Possible Woodland or Mississippian triangular PPIK fragment. Right: Unidentified ovate Biface.
Figure 46. Selected Artifacts from the Surface of Site 9HK157. Shown actual size.

108

Surface
Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quartz shatter 1 metavolcanic late reduction flake 1-3 cm 6 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 2 quartz PP/Ks 1 residual fme/med tempered sherd 2 plain coarse tempered sherds
1 metavolcanic late reduction flake 1-3 cm 2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert shatter 1 plain fine/med tempered sherd

109

9HK158

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 80 m Width: 50 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 70% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 5 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Potentially

o
PU$,oi/es
o
N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

On a ridge nose to the north of Whitten Creek, site 9HK158 consists of a prehistoric artifact scatter. The area around the site has been graded and eroded, as evidenced by numerous push piles and gullies. Artifacts were found on the surface of these disturbed areas. In addition, five of the 14 shovel tests that were excavated in the area were positive. Although the topsoil layer was thin in most of these tests, the soils in a small cluster of hardwoods were better preserved, with 20 to 25 cm of plowzone remaining above the red clay subsoil.

The artifact assemblage from the site includes almost equal numbers of sherds and lithics. Although none of these are truly diagnostic, the temper and thickness of the sherds suggests that they date to either Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. The site could represent a small homestead related to one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site.

Although most of site 9HK158 has been destroyed, a small portion appears to be intact. The recovery of up to five sherds in one of the shovel tests indicates that the deposits in this area may be fairly substantial. There is a strong possibility of preserved sub-plowzone features. As a result, we recommend that site 9HK158 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

110

Figure 47. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK158.

Surface
Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 quartz shatter
2 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 curvilinear complicated stamped coarse tempered sherd
1 residual fine/med tempered rim sherd (possibly pinched)
3 residual coarse tempered sherds 2 plain coarse tempered sherds
1 plain fine/med tempered sherd
2 plain fine/med tempered sherds

111

9HK159

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-1? County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 146 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Streaml1 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50-60% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

J
[learct.l.

Eroded

N

A o
=

10m

. . Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK159 is a small prehistoric lithic scatter on an eroded, clearcut ridge nose. A small quantity of quartz was recovered from the surface of the site, but two shovel tests within the limits of the scatter were negative. The soil profiles in these tests indicate that only about 10 cm of topsoil remain above the red clay subsoil.

The low artifact density suggests that the site was a hunting locale, or perhaps a briefly occupied camp site. However, it is possible that the site was more substantial prior to the disturbances from cultivation and logging. In any case, site 9HK159 retains little integrity. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz Stage 1 preform
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz utilized flake

112

9HK160

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: B-18 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 6 m

Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No

\

Positive ST: 3

Negative ST: 2

Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o 20m
=

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.160 is located on a well-defined ridge spur above a small tributary of Whitten Creek. The site consists of a subsurface prehistoric lithic scatter.

Artifacts were recovered from the 8-10 cm of plowzone in three of the five shovel tests that were excavated on the landform. The small artifact assemblage includes one quartz point base, which appears to be a Late Archaic stemmed type.

The low artifact density suggests that site 9HK.160 represents a specialized activity area or short term camp site. Given that the landform has been severely eroded and is cut by a large gully, there is little possibility that features are present and preserved on the site. Accordingly, we recommend site 9HK160 ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K fragment

Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
1 quart early reduction flake > 3 cm

113

9HK161

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-19 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 148 m Length: 80 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Bottomland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Strearn/l Distance to Water: 50 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Potentially

o
If Eroded o

~ Sfee;:>
f
/

N/

A o
=

20m

Positive Shovel Test

o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK161 is a relatively large prehistoric artifact scatter on a wooded ridge nose on the south side of Whitten Creek. Four of the 13 shovel tests on the landform produced artifacts from 13-30 cm thick plowzone layer.

Overall artifact density on the site was low, with a maximum of three sherds in any single test. The assemblage is small, but the sherds appear to be typical of the Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian periods.

The fact that the site is almost 80 m long suggests that there could be areas of higher artifact density that were missed by our shovel testing. The site could represent an outlying house or farmstead associated with one or more of the occupations at the Shoulderbone site. We recommend that additional testing should be conducted to assess the integrity and research potential of the site. Until such testing can be completed, we recommend that site 9HK161 should be considered potentially eligible to the National Register.

114

Figure 48. View to the West of Site 9HK161 from ST 1.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
1 plain very coarse tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered rim sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds

115

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-20 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 60 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/3 Distance to Water: 110 m Elevation above Water: 15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: < 1%
Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

9HK162

Gradva/ S/<pe

Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK162 is a prehistoric artifact scatter approximately 200 m south of the Shoulderbone site, on a wooded ridge nose to the south of Whitten Creek. Shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals across the site along several transects. Four of the thirteen shovel tests were positive, with each producing artifacts from the 8-25 cm of plowzone.

Although artifact density was light overall, Shovel Test 2 yielded 10 sherds. One of these was a Lamar Fine Incised sherd. Such fine incising is typical of the Bell phase, but occurs in small quantities in the preceding Dyar phase as well (Smith 1981:96).

As a possible Late Lamar homestead, site 9HK162 has considerable research potential. The site is relatively intact, and there is a strong possibility that features could be present below the plowzone. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Figure 49. Lamar Incised Sherd from ST 2 on 9HK162. Shown actual size.

116

Figure 50. View to the Northwest of Site 9HK162.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2
Shovel Test 3

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
4 residual coarse tempered sherds 5 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 Lamar Fine Incised tempered sherd
1 plain coarse tempered sherd

117

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-21 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 134 m Length: 50 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: Probable well Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: >2% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/graded/razed
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK163
Reid

l'
o
ffeldsrol7l'$;
:'Ck~
~... A \
o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Site 9HK.163 is a historic artifact scatter and probable house site on an upland slope that has been graded and is now very eroded. The site is located on the edge of a hay field, in an area of hardwoods. Eleven shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals along two perpendicular transects. Two of these tests, both near a large oak tree, were positive. These produced a modest collection of historic ceramics, glass, and nails. The collection dates the site to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century.

Apart from a few scattered fieldstones, no structural remains were observed on the site, suggesting that whatever structure that once stood in this location was probably razed. Although the structure is not apparent on the 1942 and 1951 USDA aerial photographs, there does appear to be a small cluster of hardwoods in this location, surrounded by plowed fields. A 1940 county road map prepared by the State Highway Board of Georgia documents one dwelling in this general area. Site 9HK163 represents the most likely location for this dwelling.

As a poorly preserved example of a common variety of cultural resource, site 9HK.163 is unlikely to contribute any significant, new information. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2

2 wire nails 2 ud nails 1 ud metal machinery part 1 brown bottle glass fragment 1 clear bottle glass fragment I window glass fragment 1 brown slip glazed stoneware fragment
1 ud metal

118

9HK164

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-22 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 134 m Length: 120 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 30 m Elevation above Water: 5 rn
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-5 % Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 6 Negative ST: 4 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/graded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

"~_"'o-/ !fI~d

..;:~

. X0~0"""/ /

f!tlr"..'Jwoo:t$ .....:-:

_

!}])r'aln:;~:.-:e'~ ':-'{':>'.:.

_~_ ' ' ' - - ... -

II ~:.':~~~::.

......

\\~

<:.:.

- - - :\ .6
~ -- -- - \, '....... .----------.. ,

o

.9 .3\\ / 5 ~ ~

-

_ _\\\ \ _\ ---. ..... \

\\

'2

l

O

0

0"

',:.

~::"\ .:.'.';..:

- --

' , - - -~
'-'\\

-':'.;

_- ---" ... ...Cree~ k ... ",,- ..,

"

N
A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test - - Site Limits

Located on a narrow finger ridge, site 9HK164 is a relatively long, but narrow prehistoric lithic scatter. Six of the ten shovel tests that were excavated at 20 m intervals along a single transect across the landform were positive. In addition, a small quantity of artifacts was recovered from the surface of a small road that crosses the ridge. The resulting artifact assemblage consists primarily of non-diagnostic quartz and chert reduction debris. The presence of one small fragment of soapstone may indicate that the site dates to the Late Archaic period.

In contrast with the eroded clay topsoils that were so typical of the project area, those on site 9HK164 consisted primarily of relatively deep sands. This sandy topsoil generally gave way to a sandy clay subsoil layer from 15-45 cm below the ground surface.

With reasonably high artifact density and well preserved soils in a few of the shovel tests, site 9HK164 could produce significant information regarding the Late Archaic period occupation of the project area. We therefore recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 em 5 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 1

1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 119

Figure 51. View to the West of Site 9HK164 from Shovel Test 3.

Shovel Test 3
Shovel Test 4 Shovel Test 5 Shovel Test 6

2 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz shatter
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 2 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 g ground soapstone 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake
1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm
2 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm 1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm
1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 Coastal Plain chert utilized flake
2 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3

120

9HK165

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Saddle Elevation: 146 m Length: 10 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Pasture/hayfield Site Nature: Historic artifact scatter Closest Water: N/A Distance to Water: N/A m Elevation above Water: N/A m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

o

IIi/Hop

o

-,..e2.. '

I

\

o

'.. o

'Saddle
I\ el

lII

o

_~

o
\

N
o=fA.. 20m
Positive Shovel Test
- -o Negative Shovel Test Site Limi~ ._.

Site 9HK165 is a light scatter of historic artifacts possibly related to the previously described house site (9HK163). The site is located just to the north of State Road 77, on a ridge top saddle in a hayfield.

The site consists of two positive shovel tests, each of which produced a small quantity of historic artifacts from the 10 em thick plowzone layer. Seven additional shovel tests excavated at 20 m intervals in a cruciform pattern were all negative.

No houses are evident in this location on documentary sources, and no structural remains or historic vegetation were observed in the field. Site 9HK165 probably represents an isolated scatter of trash related to the nearby house site on 9HK164. As such, it is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 melted clear bottle glass fragment

Shovel Test 2

2 ud nails

121

9HK166

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: B-24 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Drainage Elevation: 157 m Length: 25 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Saw mill Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 5-10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Undisturbed Percent Disturbance: None Eligibility: Ineligible

o
q "- ,- '- ...
" 0--r-r1i
: pL.f?;

I I

\

i - : - - - - 4 - Sawdusf p/ie

....,

J\ I

,-~

\'0, .... '0 \\
\

N
A 0=' 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Te,st
Site Limits

Site 9HK166 includes the remains of an early to middle twentieth century portable saw mill. The site consists of a large pile of sawdust, measuring about 10 m in diameter and 3 m high. This is bordered by two smaller piles of dirt and an L-shaped trench. Two Quaker State oil cans were observed at the end of the trench, but were not collected.

As a relic of the early days of commercial timber harvesting, site 9HK166 is of.minor historical interest. However, it is unlikely to contribute any significant, new information. We therefore recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

122

9HK167

'Location/Environment

Field Site Number: C-l County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 171 m Length: 55 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: StreamJ2 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 30 m

Collections/Condition

Surface Exposure: 75% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK167 is a surface scatter of quartz lithics in a clearcut. The site is located on a knoll on a ridge nose, above the confluence of several drainage heads.

The artifact collection from the site consists primarily of early and late reduction debitage. Quartz cobbles are abundant in this portion of the project area, and the site probably represents a primary workshop where these cobbles were reduced to preforms or fInished tools. One fInished biface fragment appears to be the base of a Late Archaic stemmed PPIK.

A single shovel test excavated within the limits of the surface scatter was negative, and indicated that very little topsoil remains on the site. As a specialized tool production location that is now heavily eroded and disturbed, site 9HK167 is not likely to produce any important new information. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Figure 52. Quartz PP/K Fragment from the Surface of 9HK167. Shown actual size.

Surface

7 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
15 quartz early reduction flakes> 3 cm 2 quartz shatter
3 quartz late reduction flakes < 1 cm
21 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 3 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm 1 quartz PPIK 1 quartz unidentifIed biface fragment

123

9HK168

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-2 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope Elevation: 158 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock mound Closest Water: Strearn/l Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 7 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 65% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK168 consists of a scatter of rock piles across a clearcut ridge slope. The seven small piles all measure less than five meters in diameter and no more than 30 cm high. They are constructed of loosely stacked, unworked quartz cobbles.

Despite adequate surface visibility, no artifacts were observed on the site, and a single shovel test was sterile. The site has been disturbed by logging, and is heavily eroded. Better preserved rock pile sites are common in the project area, and we have selected a few for protection or additional testing. We recommend that site 9HK168 is ineligible to the National Register.

124

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-3 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Slope Elevation: 168 m Length: 90 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Stream/3 Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 35 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 25 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK169 is another rock pile scatter approximately 100 m northwest of the previously described site. Like most of the stone features in the survey area, those on site 9HK169 consist of haphazardly piled quartz cobbles measuring less than five meters in diameter and under 50 cm high. We noted a total of five piles on this site.
The site is located on a clearcut ridge slope that afforded some surface visibility. No artifacts were located, and the single shovel test that we excavated on the site was negative.
The rock piles on site 9HK169 are typical of those that have proven to be the product of historic land clearing activities (Gresham 1990). In addition, the piles on this site have been disturbed by logging and erosion. While other rock piles in the survey tract merit protection or additional testing, these do not. We therefore recommend site 9HK169 ineligible to the National Register.

125

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-4 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland slope/hill/ridge top Elevation: 158 m Length: 100 m Width: 100 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Rock mound/sawmill Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 13 m
Collections/Condition .
Surface Exposure: 20% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 1 Negative ST: 4 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

9HK170

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Positive Shovel Test

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Site Limits

Site 9HK170, which stretches over 100 m across a forested ridge top and adjacent slope, includes what would appear to be three unrelated components. The first component consists of the remains of a portable saw mill from the early or middle twentieth century. This component is represented by a large sawdust pile and adjacent trench. This component is of limited historical interest, but is not likely to produce any significant information through additional testing due to the fact that this type of site is well documented.

The second component on the site consists of an isolated prehistoric lithic. This is represented by a single crystal quartz late reduction flake (1-3 cm) recovered from one of the five shovel tests on the site. This component is also unlikely to contribute any substantial information, due largely to the sparsity of the deposits.

Finally, the site includes a scatter of small rock piles. Like most of the other stone features in the survey area, these are small, low piles of quartz cobbles. At least fourteen such piles are present on the site, with most of these clustered on the ridge top or the slope to the east. While the piles appear similar to the type of stone features associated with historic agricultural activities (Gresham 1990), this is impossible to prove on the basis of the survey data. As one of the largest and best preserved examples of a rock pile cluster in the project area, we recommend that this component on site 9HK170 should be protected. Therefore, we recommend that the site is potentially eligible to the National Register.

126

Figure 53. View to the Southeast of Site 9HK170. Note the rock pile in the foreground. 127

9HK171

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-5 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 183 m Length: 50 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Strearnll Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 100% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/destroyed Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK.171 is a lithic scatter on a ridge nose to the west of a small, unnamed tributary of Whitten Creek. The site is located in a clearcut and is now heavily eroded, resulting in almost complete surface visibility.

The surface collection from the site includes modest quantities of quartz and chert debitage, as well as a few tools. Two of the latter appear to be Late Archaic point bases (Figure 54). One shovel test excavated within the limits of the surface scatter was negative, and confirmed that only a few centimeters of topsoil remain on the site.

Site 9HK.171 appears to represent a small camp site. It may have been more substantial prior to being plowed and timbered. Now, however, the site lacks integrity and research potential. Due to the degree of disturbance, we recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

Figure 54. Late Archaic PP/K Fragments from the Surface of Site 9HK171. Shown actual size.

Surface

3 quartz early reduction flakes 1-3 cm
3 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
2 quartz shatter

128

7 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
7 quartz late reduction flakes > 3 cm
4 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K 1 Coastal Plain chert PP/K 1 metavolcanic utilized flake
129

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-6 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: 149 m Length: 25 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: IS m Elevation above Water: 1 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK172

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits
Site 9HK172 is located in a hardwood bottom in the northwestern comer of the survey tract. The site is situated on a toe slope elevated just above a small, unnamed tributary of Lundy Creek.

Two of the three shovel tests that were excavated on the small landform were positive. Each produced quartz lithics from the topsoil layer, which was deeper and siltier here than elsewhere in the project area. Both tests encountered subsoil at 35-40 cm below the ground surface.

Site 9HK172 likely represents a small camp spot. The fact that all of the debitage is quartz, and that no tools are represented in the assemblage, would seem to indicate that it was only briefly occupied. The possibility of features in association with such a site is remote. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

2 quartz early reduction flakes > 3 cm
4 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm
1 quartz late reduction flake > 3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

130

9HK173

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-7 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Hill/ridge top Elevation: 162 m Length: 120 m Width: 80 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream!1 Distance to Water: 130 m Elevation above Water: 25 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 80% Surface Collected: Yes Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 1 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK173 is a sparse artifact scatter on a clearcut ridge top. A small number of lithics and a single sherd were collected from the surface of the site, but one shovel test excavated within the limits of the scatter was negative. The soil profile in this test indicated that only about 5 cm of red sandy clay topsoil remain above the subsoil.

The sherd from the site would appear to be either a Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian type, based on its temper and thickness. The site probably represents an isolated activity area rather than any type of more permanent residence, given the low artifact density. However, it is possible that scatter was more substantial prior to the disturbances from cultivation, logging, and erosion. In any case the site is now severely disturbed. Due to this loss of integrity, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

Surface

1 quartz early reduction flake 1-3 cm 3 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm 1 quartz PP/K (medial/distal) 1 plain very coarse tempered sherd (Lamar)

131

9HK174

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-8 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Upland flat Elevation: 149 m Length: 40 m Width: 40 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Drainage headll Distance to Water: 240 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: >50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

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A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
Site Limits

Site 9HK174 is a prehistoric pottery scatter on a flat ridge top. Vegetation on the site consists of a planted pine forest. The site is bordered to the south and west by an erosional gully, but appears otherwise reasonably intact.

Four of the eleven shovel tests that were excavated in the general area of the site were positive. Each of these yielded one or two artifacts from the plowzone, a 5-15 cm thick layer of reddish brown sandy clay above the red clay subsoil.

Although artifact density was light, the fact that four adjacent shovel tests were positive would seem to indicate that the site may be more substantial. None of the sherds is diagnostic, but a few resemble Middle or Late (Savannah or Lamar) Mississippian types in regard to their temper and thickness. As a possible outlying settlement related to the Shoulderbone site, this artifact scatter could have significant research potential. We recommend that site 9HK174 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

132

Figure 55. View to the West-Southwest of Site 9HK174.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 plain very coarse tempered sherds 1 plain fme/med tempered sherd 1 plain coarse tempered sherd

133

9HK175

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-9 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 149 m Length: 30 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 350 m Elevation above Water: 25 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 5% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

o
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Site Limits

Also located in a forest of planted pine, site 9HK175 consists of a light scatter of prehistoric sherds and a single chert flake. The site was identified in two of the nine shovel tests that were excavated at 15 m intervals along two perpendicular transects. Soil profiles indicated that the site is heavily eroded, with only 5-10 cm of topsoil remaining.

The small artifact assemblage includes two curvilinear complicated stamped sherds that can be typed as either Savannah or Lamar Complicated Stamped. These types would date the site to either the Middle or Late Mississippian, respectively.

The low artifact density indicates that the site either represents a very brief occupation, or has been severely damaged by erosion. In any case, it now retains only very limited research potential. We therefore recommend that site 9HK175 is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 Coastal Plain chert early reduction flake 1 residual fine/med tempered sherd 2 unidentified curvilinear complicated stamped fme/med
tempered sherds (Savannah or Lamar)

Shovel Test 2

1 residual fine/med tempered sherd

134

9HK176

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-lO County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Toe slope Elevation: lSI m Length: 15 m Width: 15 m Vegetation: Bottomland hardwoods Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/2 Distance to Water: 15 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0-50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: I Negative ST: 4 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

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Site Limits

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Site 9HK176 is a small pottery scatter on a toe slope in the northwestern comer of the survey tract. The site is located in a bottomland hardwood forest, just above a small tributary of Lundy Creek.

The site is limited to a single positive shovel test which produced three plain sherds. Four nearby shovel tests were negative. Moreover, despite good visibility conditions, no artifacts were identified in a nearby field road.

The ceramics from site 9HK176 can only be broadly dated to the Woodland or Mississippian periods. The paucity of artifacts indicates that the site may represent a specialized activity area, such as a plant or water collecting location. There is little possibility that features are present. As a result of its rather limited research potential, we recommend that site 9HK176 is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

3 plain coarse tempered sherds

135

9HK177

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-ll County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge side slope Elevation: 174 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/l Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK177 consists of two small rock piles on a ridge side slope. The piles are located in a clearcut that afforded relatively good surface visibility at the time of our survey. No artifacts were observed on the site.

The two piles on site 9HK177 are small, measuring less than three meters in diameter and under a meter in height. Although it is impossible to interpret on the basis of survey data alone, the size and method of construction of these piles resembles that of historic agricultural features, rather than that of the more substantial stone constructions of the prehistoric period (Gresham 1990). We have recommended additional testing or protection for several of the larger and better preserved rock pile sites in the survey tract. As a poor example of a common type of site, we recommend that site 9HK177 is ineligible to the National Register.

136

9HK178

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-12 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 162 m Length: 20 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 60 m Elevation above Water: 3 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded/destroyed
Percent Disturbance: > 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK178 is also comprised of rock piles. This cluster includes three piles on a small, wooded ridge nose near the northwestern comer of the survey tract. Two shovel tests, one on either side of the rock pile cluster, were negative. The soil profiles in these tests indicated that the landform is considerably eroded due to cultivation.

Two of the three stone features on the site are small, roughly circular piles typical of the project area. These measure less than three meters in diameter and under a meter high. The last pile is more linear, possibly as the result of disturbance from logging or cultivation.

Only excavation can prove for certain whether the rock piles on site 9HK178 are the result of prehistoric or historic activities, and even this may be inconclusive. However, the size and method of construction of the piles is more typical of stone features from the historic period (Gresham 1990).

As one of the poorer examples of a type of site that is very common in the survey area, we recommend that site 9HK178 has very limited research potential. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

137

9HK179

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-13 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 174 m Length: 80 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 40 m Elevation above Water: 6 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 50% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50%
Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test

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- - Site Limits

Site 9HK179 is another cluster of rock piles. This cluster is located near the western boundary of the survey area, on a clearcut knoll. The site is bisected by a small field or logging road. Despite good surface visibility at the time of our survey, no artifacts were identified on the site.

Three rock piles are present on site 9HK179. Each of these is less than five meters in diameter and under a meter in height. The piles are haphazardly constructed of small, unmodified quartzite cobbles.

The piles resemble historic agricultural features in regard to their size and method of construction. This, coupled with the absence of any prehistoric artifacts, strongly suggests that the stone features on site 9HK179 were constructed as the land was cleared for cultivation in the nineteenth century. We recommend that the site has little research potential, and that it is ineligible to the National Register.

138

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-14 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: HiIl/ridge top Elevation: 180 m Length: 10 m Width: 10 m Vegetation: Upland mixed Site Nature: Rock piles Closest Water: Drainage head Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 10 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 2 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

9HK180
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N
A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK180 consist of a single rock pile on a wooded ridge top. Like most of those in the project area, this pile is small and constructed of carelessly stacked quartzite cobbles. Shovel tests excavated on either side of the pile were negative, and indicated that the landform is heavily eroded due to years of cultivation.
We have recommended that several of the rock pile sites in the project area should be tested or protected from development. The stone feature on site 9HK180 is insubstantial, and the site as a whole is poorly preserved. We therefore recommend that it is ineligible to the National Register.

139

9HK181

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-15 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 127 m Length: 55 m Width: 35 m Vegetation: Pine forest Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/4 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 5 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 3 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 7 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded
Percent Disturbance: < 50 %
Eligibility: Potentially

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Positive Shovel Test
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Site Limits

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Located about 200 m to the south of the Shoulderbone site on the opposite side of Whitten Creek, site 9HK181 consists of a small prehistoric artifact scatter. The site is located on a fairly broad ridge nose within a mixed upland forest (Figure 56).

Only two of the nine shovel tests that were excavated at 15 m intervals across the site were positive. However, each of these positive tests yielded three or four sherds. Artifacts were recovered from the thin (6-7 em) plowzone layer that remains above the red clay subsoil.

The ceramics that we recovered from the site are not diagnostic to phase, but can be generally dated to the Middle or Late Mississippian (Savannah or Lamar) periods. The site may represent a limited activity area, but could be an outlying house or farmstead related to one of the occupations of the Shoulderbone site. If the latter is the case, there is a possibility that features could be present below the plowzone. Additional research should be conducted to investigate this possibility. We recommend that site 9HK181 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 residual fine/med tempered sherd 1 residual coarse tempered sherd 2 plain coarse tempered sherds

Shovel Test 2

1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm 2 plain coarse tempered sherds

140

Figure 56. View to the South of Site 9HK181. 141

9HK182

Location/Environment

Field Site Number: C-16 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Knoll on ridge nose Elevation: 140 m Length: 55 m Width: 30 m Vegetation: Pasture Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter/historic occ. Closest Water: Stream/4 Distance to Water: 360 m Elevation above Water: 27 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 9 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: Unknown Eligibility: Ineligible

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A o= 10m
Positive Shovel Test Negative Shovel Test Site Limits

Site 9HK.182, which is located in a pasture or hay field on the south side of Whitten Creek, consists of a subsurface scatter of prehistoric and historic artifacts. The site lies on a knoll on a broad ridge nose.

Shovel tests were excavated at 10 m intervals on two perpendicular transects. Four of the thirteen tests were positive, with each of these producing artifacts from the approximately 10 cm thick plowzone layer which lay directly atop subsoil.

The primary component on the site appears to be a prehistoric artifact scatter dating to the Middle or Late Mississippian period. Artifacts related to this component are sparse, indicating that the site may have been the location of a brief occupation associated with specialized activities. Features are not likely on a site of this type.

The historic component is even more limited, consisting of two isolated wire nails in Shovel Test 2. These artifacts may be related to a nearby house site (9HKI63). There were no indications that a structure was located on this site.

Both of the components on site 9HK182 lack research potential. For this reason, we recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

142

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3 Shovel Test 4

1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
1 quartz PP/K (medial/distal)
1 quartz PP/K 2 wire nails
1 plain coarse tempered sherd
2 plain coarse tempered sherds

143

9HK183

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-17 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 143 m Length: 40 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Pasture Site Nature: Lithic scatter Closest Water: Stream/1 Distance to Water: 120 m Elevation above Water: 17 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 5 % Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 2 Negative ST: 8 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: >50% Eligibility: Ineligible

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A o= 20m
Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test
- - Site Limits

Site 9HK183 is a small lithic scatter in a pasture in the southeastern comer of the survey tract. The site is located on the edge of a broad ridge nose.

Shovel tests were excavated at approximately 20 m intervals across the site in a cruciform pattern. Only two of the ten tests were positive. One of these produced a few fragments of quartz debitage, and the other yielded a core fragment that may have been used as a chopper.

The site is reasonably well preserved, with a sandy clay plowzone layer that extended to a depth of about 15 cm below the ground surface. However, the site appears to be the residue of a single, brief occupation, probably an isolated hunting camp or kill site. As such, it is not likely to contain features. We recommend that site 9HK183 is ineligible to the National Register.

Shovel Test 1

1 quartz late reduction flake < 1 cm
2 quartz late reduction flakes 1-3 cm

Shovel Test 2

1 quartz chopper

144

9HK184

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-18 County: Hancock USGS Quad: White Plains Topography: Slope Elevation: 177 m Length: 140 m Width: 110 m Vegetation: Clearcut Site Nature: Rock pile Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 100 m Elevation above Water: 6 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 0 Negative ST: 0 Disturbance Type: Cultivated/eroded Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Ineligible

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Positive Shovel Test
o Negative Shovel Test

Site Limits

Site 9HK184 includes a scatter of approximately 12 rock piles on a ridge side slope. The site has been clearcut, and is now heavily eroded.

Surface visibility on the site was limited by logging debris and secondary growth. Although no shovel tests were excavated within the rock pile scatter, many were excavated in the surrounding area and no sites were encountered.

The rock piles on site 9HK184 are typical of most of those in the survey area, consisting of small rocks piled carelessly to a height of no more than a meter. The piles measure less than 5 m in diameter at their bases.

Archeological testing of small rock piles such as these has demonstrated that they are more often associated with historic era agricultural practices than with prehistoric ceremonial activities. We recommend that the site is ineligible to the National Register.

145

9HK185

Location/Environment
Field Site Number: C-19 County: Hancock USGS Quad: Shoulderbone Topography: Ridge nose Elevation: 149 m Length: 60 m Width: 20 m Vegetation: Pasture Site Nature: Prehistoric artifact scatter Closest Water: Stream/I Distance to Water: 200 m Elevation above Water: 15 m
Collections/Condition
Surface Exposure: 0% Surface Collected: No Positive ST: 4 Negative ST: 10 Disturbance Type: Cultivated Percent Disturbance: <50% Eligibility: Potentially

PaslL/n=.

0

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Site Limits

' , , : : :". : ... '::.: : .... 0' .'

Site 9HK185 is located near the southeastern limits of the survey tract, in a pasture or hay field (Figure 57). The site consists of a subsurface scatter of both prehistoric and historic artifacts.

Fourteen shovel tests were excavated on the site, with most of these located at 20 m intervals on two perpendicular transects. Of the four tests that were positive, three produced prehistoric artifacts and two produced historic material. Artifacts were confmed to the 20-25 cm of sandy plowzone that lay atop the sandy clay subsoil.

The historic component on site 9HK185 includes a very small collection of ceramics, glass, and metal. This material may be related to a nearby house site (9HKI65). There were no indications of a structure on this site. As an isolated scatter of debris from the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, this component is not likely to contribute any substantitive information.

The prehistoric component on the site is also generally low in artifact density. However, Shovel Test 3 produced seven sherds and three lithics, indicating that there could be more substantial deposits on the site. This component could represent an outlying house or farmstead related to the Late Mississippian occupation of the Shoulderbone site. Based on the merits of this prehistoric component, we recommend that site 9HK185 is potentially eligible to the National Register.

146

Figure 57. View to the North of Site 9HK185.

Shovel Test 1 Shovel Test 2 Shovel Test 3
Shovel Test 4

1 chalcedony late reduction flake 1-3 cm
1 chalcedony late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 plain coarse tempered sherd 2 umdentifiednIDlfra~en~
1 quartz shatter 1 quartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm 1 chalcedony scraper 2 residual coarse tempered sherds 3 plain coarse tempered sherds 1 umdentified complicated stamped sherd 1 Lamar Bold Incised sherd 1 plain whiteware fragment
1 clear flat glass fra~ent

147

Artifact Occurrences

Twenty-one artifact occurrences were identified on this survey. Occurrences are defined as any location with less than three artifacts on the surface or only one positive shovel test with less than three artifacts. Occurrences were examined with the same intensity as actual sites. If a shovel test yielded artifacts, or if artifacts were found on the surface, additional shovel tests were excavated to try to locate more artifacts or determine if a larger site was present. Many artifact occurrences represent activities similar to those of actual sites, but exhibit such low artifact density or are so highly disturbed that no other artifacts could be found. Other occurrences may reflect very limited activity, such as the loss of a single projectile point. These types of occurrences can, at least in some instances, contribute to our understanding of settlement and land use. Many occurrences, however, are merely artifacts displaced some distance from their original point of deposition by relatively modem disturbances like cultivation and road grading. Table 4 lists the 21 occurrences identified on this survey. None of these are considered significant resources, and all 21 are ineligible to the National Register.

Table 4. Artifact Occurrences.
~-
A-I 309660 3696000 surface

1 Coastal Plain chert core fra ent

A-2 309570 3695450 shovel test

1 lain whiteware

A-3 309510 3695080 shovel test

A-4 309480 3696740 surface

2 lain whiteware

A-5 309440 3696680 surface

1 Coastal Plain chert late reduction flake 1-3 cm

A-6 309210 3696810 shovel test

1 uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

A-8 309530 3694310 surface

2 lain fine/medium tern ered sherds

A-9 309730 3694350 surface

A-12 309920 3694460 shovel test

lain fine/medium tern ered sherd

A-14 309470 3694110 surface

B-2 309120 3696460 B-4 309040 3696660

surafce surface

uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm
uartz late reduction flake < 1 cm

B-5 309130 3694690 shovel test

1 utilized Coastal Plain chert flake

B-6 309310 3694570 shovel test

uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

B-7 308830 3695820 surface

B-8 309330 3696050 shovel test

1 folded, inched rim sherd

C-l 308550 3696820 shovel test

uartz late reduction flake 1-3 cm

C-2 308480 3697230 shovel test

1 lain whiteware

C-3 308610 3695500 surface

C-4 309000 3695380 shovel test

C-5 308900 3695010 shovel test 1 curv. compo stamped coarse tempered sherd

unidentified rehistoric lithic 19th/20th centur
unidentified rehistoric lithic 19th/20th centu
unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic Woodland or Mississi ian Woodland or Mississi ian Woodland or Mississi ian unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic unidentified rehistoric lithic Woodland or Mississi ian Late Mississi ian (Lamar) unidentified rehistoric lithic late 19th120th centu historic unidentified rehistoric lithic
Mississi ian Middle or Late Mississippian

148

SUMMARY OF SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE PROJECT AREA
The survey covered 457 ha (1130 ac) and identified 72 previously unreported sites and 21 artifact occurrences. Including the only previously identified site in the project area (the Shoulderbone mound and village complex), this results in a density of 20. 6 cultural resources (sites and occurrences) per km2. This is a higher density than has been observed in the shovel test surveys of wooded areas of the Oconee National Forest. For example, King (1992) and Price and Wood (1991) report densities of only 13.8 and 7.4 cultural resources/km2, respectively. The density of cultural resources in the Shoulderbone tract is more comparable to those of clearcut surveys in the Oconee Valley. Freer (1989), for example, noted a density of26.0 cultural resources/km2 on tracts in Oglethorpe County. Chamblee's (1996) recent survey of the Fishing Creek tract identified 24.3 site/km2 Finally, Elliott (1981a) noted 20.5 cultural resources/km2 on his survey of the Finch's tract.
The relatively small size of the survey and the paucity of diagnostic artifacts that were recovered from our sample limit the conclusions that can be drawn concerning settlement patterns in the project area. Even at this level of analysis, however, several broad patterns can be discerned. Toward this end, Table 5 presents a breakdown of the number and relative frequency of components in the project area by type or period.
Table 5. Number and Frequency of Various Component Types or Periods in the Shoulderbone Tract.

rock pile(s)

18

unidentified prehistoric lithic scatter

23

Middle Archaic

1

Late Archaic

4

unidentified prehistoric artifact scatter

5

(Woodland or Mississippian)

Middle Mississippian (Savannah)

6

Late Mississippian (Lamar)

13

unidentified Middle or Late Mississippian

18

nineteenth/twentieth century historic

18

TOTAL

106

17.0 21.7 0.9 3.8 4.7
5.7 12.3 17.0 17.0 100.0

149

Archaic and Unidentified Lithic Components
As Table 5 demonstrates, unidentified lithic scatters are the most common of any of the individual component types in the project area. The earliest diagnostic lithic in the project area is a Morrow Mountain point from site 9HK126. This represents the single Middle Archaic component in the tract. Slightly more Late Archaic diagnostic artifacts were recovered, but these too were limited to a small number of sites (N =4) (9HKI43, 9HK147, 9HK149, and 9HKI71).
The locations of sites and occurrences that included Archaic or unidentified lithic components are indicated in Figure 58. In contrast with many of the other component types, these are fairly evenly distributed throughout the project area, with no apparent clustering. Lithic sites display little preference for particular types of landforms, occurring as often in the uplands of the project area as along Whitten Creek or its tributaries.
Rock Pile Components
Rock piles were also fairly common in the Shoulderbone tract, with at least one stone construction noted on one-fourth of the 72 sites that were recorded as a result of the survey. The locations of all of the sites containing rock piles are indicated in Figure 59. Interestingly, and perhaps significantly, all of these sites are located in the northern half of the project area, and most are clustered in an approximately 1 km 2 area that is predominantly recent clearcut. This clustering could be interpreted as another line of evidence supporting the argument that most of the piles in the project area are historic, as a series of such features might be expected in an old agricultural field. The 1942 USDA aerial photograph depicts this area as sparsely vegetated, suggesting that it may have been a field that has been allowed to go fallow.
However, it is also possible that the cluster of rock piles in this section of the project area resulted from the use of locally occurring material by prehistoric peoples. It is worth noting that, in addition to the famous Rock Eagle effigy mound in neighboring Putnam County, several other rock constructions in the immediate vicinity of the project area have also apparently proven to be prehistoric features. C.C. Jones (1877) noted the recovery of "human bones and relics of various sorts" from rock mounds in the Eatonton area. In addition, Lawson (1990) cites an 1882 account by Benjamin W. Kent of Eatonton, Georgia, which chronicles the recovery of artifacts and bones from several rock mounds in the Eatonton area.
Historic Period Components
Relativ~ to their ubiquity across much of the Piedmont, historic components were infrequent in the project area. Most of the historic components that were identified consist of isolated artifacts or specialized activity areas such as saw mills or, in one case, a still. Only five of the eighteen total historic components appear to represent actual house locations. The resulting density of house sites (1. lIkm2) , although low, is roughly comparable to that which has been observed by Price and Wood (1991) on a survey of portions of the Oconee National Forest (1.5/lan2). Historic components were found throughout the project area, but were somewhat more common in the southern end of the Shoulderbone tract, near S.R. 77 (Figure 60).
150

N

A

1,

kIn

Figure 58. Location of Archaic and Unidentified Prehistoric Lithic Components in the Project Area.

151

N
o.......---A 1, kIn
152

N
A1 I
km
Figure 60. Location of Historic Period Components in the Project Area.
153

Woodland Period Components
Woodland period components appear to be scarce or nonexistent in the Shoulderbone tract. Although it is quite possible that some of the non-diagnostic ceramic scatters that were identified in the project area may date to this interval, the absence of any defmitive Woodland pottery suggests that this is not the case. The only possible diagnostic sherd from the Woodland period is a rather unusual incised ceramic from site 9HK114 which resembles Late Woodland or Early Mississippian Weeden Island types from the Gulf Coast area.
Mississippian Period Components
Cultural resources relating to the Mississippian period occupation of the Shoulderbone tract outnumber those from any other period of occupation. The total of 41 probable Mississippian sites and occurrences represents a density of 9.0 components per km2 This is slightly higher than the 7.6 components/km2 noted by Chamblee (1996) at the Fishing Creek tract, but lower than the 10.2 components/km2 observed by Elliott (1981a) on the Finch's survey.
As indicated in Figure 61, Mississippian components are clustered primarily in the southern third of the project area, in the area surrounding the Shoulderbone Mounds. With the exception of a few sites, however, these Mississippian components are not located immediately adjacent to the Shoulderbone site, but instead are scattered throughout the general area, typically on the larger expanses of flat ground above small tributaries of Whitten Creek. The greatest density of sites appears to be on the south side of Whitten Creek, in the vicinity of the historic period trail that followed the course of present-day S.R. 77.
Although some of the Mississippian components in the Shoulderbone tract consist of light scatters of artifacts that likely represent short term camp sites or other specialized activity areas, many others exhibited higher artifact density and clearly represent homesteads. In addition, a few of the larger Mississippian ceramic scatters could represent clusters of households. The excavations of similar Mississippian artifact scatters elsewhere in the Oconee Valley have resulted in the identification of house remains, as well as related features such as storage pits and burials (Hatch 1995; Ledbetter 1988).
Mississippian Ceramics from the Project Area
Before turning to a more detailed discussion of Mississippian settlement in the project area, it is necessary to review the pertinent ceramic data. Table 6 presents summary data for the ceramics from each of the pottery-producing sites and occurrences that we identified in the Shoulderbone tract. As the table demonstrates, the survey generated a total of 743 sherds from 41 cultural resources. This is a surprisingly high sherd density for a survey that relied largely on shovel testing. However, the pottery count is increased significantly by large collections from a few sites in clearcuts.
154

N
o,......---A 1, kID
Figure 61. Location of Mississippian Period Components in the Project Area.
155



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156

Figure 62 presents a breakdown of the frequency of occurrence of different ceramic decorative treatments on sites in the project area. Not surprisingly, plain pottery is the most common, occurring on 35 of the 41 pottery-producing cultural resources. If we consider the combined sherd assemblage from all of the cultural resources that were identified in the project area as a single analytical unit, we can see that plain pottery is also dominant in terms of overall numbers and percentages (Figure 63). Plain ceramics account for roughly threequarters of all of the non-residual body sherds.
The relative frequency of complicated stamping (including Savannah, Lamar, and unidentified) is also fairly substantial, with this category forming approximately one-fifth of the identifiable sherds. At least one complicated stamped sherd was present on 16 of the cultural resources identified in the survey area. Unfortunately, most of the designs were too eroded or sloppily applied to identify with any particular period. At least in general, however, the relatively high percentage of complicated stamping is more consistent with Savannah and Early Lamar occupation.
Lamar Incised pottery was retrieved from a total of 10 sites, but accounts for only
about 5 % of the non-residual body sherds. Medium incised sherds had the widest distribution
(N =7 sites), followed closely by bold incised (N =6 sites) and, to a lesser extent, fine incised (N =4 sites). However, in terms of overall sherd counts and percentages, bold incised was the most common.
The "other" categories in Figures 62 and 63 include one sherd each of unidentified incised, check stamped, and cob marked. The latter two types are associated with the Savannah period. Other minority Savannah types such as red filmed and cord marked were not identified in the assemblage. In addition, the minority Early Lamar type Morgan Incised was also conspicuously absent.
A variety of rim forms were noted in the sherd assemblage from the project area. Figure 64 compares the frequency of occurrence of these types on sites in the project area. Figure 65 contrasts the relative frequency of these decorative types as a percentage of the total number of rims.
Plain rims had the widest geographical distribution, appearing on six sites. However, pinched rims outnumbered plain in the overall assemblage. Punctate rims were also relatively common in the project area. Plain, pinched, and punctate rims are most commonly associated with the Savannah and Early Lamar periods, although they may also occur later in small quantities in the Middle and Late Lamar periods. Interestingly, there were no conspicuous rolled rims in the assemblage from the project area. This type is most common in the Savannah period.
Four rims, each from different cultural resources, appear to possibly be both folded and pinched, a style that is most often associated with the Late Lamar period. However, each of the sherds in question is fragmentary, and is possible that these "folded" rims are merely thickened and pinched.
157

40

::E;: 15
!l1O .".;.;.;
o5
'II::
o

plain

other

camp. stamped

Medium Incised

Bold Incised

Fine Incised

Figure 62. Frequency of Occurrence of Ceramic Decorative Categories on Sites in the Project Area.

other (0.41 %) medium incised (1.84%) complicated stamped (17.92%)
bold incised (3.07%)

plain (74.93%)

Figure 63. Sherds.

Ceramic Decorative Categories as Percentage of Total Identifiable 158

Cl)1O
0-
.Q 9
~8
Cl)
'0 7
E6
'C
gp 5
'.ug 4
~3 ~'" 2
'C;;
'0 1
'll:: 0

plain

noded

notched

rosette

punctate

folded/pinched pinched

Figure 64. Frequency of Occurrence of Various Rim Treatments on Sites in the Project Area.

(9.09 %) folded/pinched

pinched (34.09%)-~JJiiiil

noded (2.27%)

(13.64%) rosette (2.27 %)
punctate

Figure 65. Rim Treatments as a Percentage of Total Rims from the Project Area. 159

Unfortunately, it is Table 7. Tentative Phase Designations for Selected Mississippian

difficult to precisely date Components.

many of the Mississippian

components in the Shoulderbone tract on the basis of the

[:!!1:1:!!1111[11:111I:11::::::1::11:11::!!::!:.::::11::1:'I::::;I[lri<l::[::::~I_itl.I.I_t![:]'I:]:III[I'iII::[[;:;:I![::[1.!;::

rather modest quantity of

9HKl14

Scull Shoals

artifacts that were recovered.

Iron Horse

However, based on the pres- 1 - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1

ence or absence of certain

9HK122

Scull Shoals or Duvall

ceramic types, we can at

9HK127

Dvar or Bell

least offer tentative phase

9HK129

Iron Horse or Dvar

determinations for a few of

9HK130

S~l1ll Shn:lh: nr nnv:lll

the sites. Table 7 lists the sites for which we have attempted phase designations. In many cases the ceramic evidence allows

9HK131 9HK136 9HK132 9HK150

Dvar or Bell Scull Shoals or Duvall
Scull Shoals Dvar or Bell

for only a general appraisal

9HK151

Iron Horse or Dvar

into two possible phases.

9HKl55

Scull Shoals

Table 8 lists the totals for

9HK156

Scull Shoals

each category, as well as the percentage each category formed of the 16 total phases

9HK162
QHK1R<;

Dvar or Bell
Trnn Hnr~e nr nV:lr

designations.

Table 8. Number and Frequency of Various Mississippian Component Phases in the Shoulderbone Tract.
:I:::::[.ljl.!I[::::i:1il::['[l iIl111:11!1:1[:I::::I::::::':[::I:I!:

Etowah

Armor

1000 to 1100

Stillhouse

1100 to 1250

Savannah

Scull Shoals

1250 to 1375

Savannah or Lamar

Scull Shoals or Duvall

1250 to 1450

Duvall

1375 to 1450

0

Iron Horse

1450 to 1520

2

Lamar

Iron Horse or D ar

1450 to 1580

5

D ar or Bell

1520 to 1670

4

TOTAL

17

Early Mississippian Components
No definitive evidence exists for Early Mississippian period occupation in the Shoulderbone tract. The complete absence of Etowah, Vining, or Woodstock ceramics suggests that the area was unoccupied during this interval. Previous research has demonstrated that Etowah sites are infrequent in the Oconee Valley, with the few examples
160

largely limited to the floodplain of major streams (King 1992; Ledbetter and Wynn 1988; Rudolph and Blanton 1980). Vining sites are apparently more common in the uplands, particularly in the southern portion of the Oconee Valley, but may be clustered more to the west of the river in Putnam, Jones, and Morgan Counties (Elliott and Wynn 1991; O'Steen et al. 1994).
Middle Mississippian Components
Scull Shoals phase components, which date to the Middle Mississippian Savannah period, are relatively common in the project area. Three of the six probable Scull Shoals phase settlements are located in the bottomlands of the Shoulderbone tract. Two of these (sites 9HK114 and 9HK156) lie adjacent to Whitten Creek and relatively close to the Shoulderbone site. These sites are fairly large, suggesting that these could be clusters of house related to the Savannah period occupation of the mounds. The final Scull Shoals site (9HK132) in the bottomlands appears to be a small, specialized extraction location.
The three remaining components that likely date to the Scull Shoals phase (9HK122, 9HK130, and 9HK155) are located in the uplands of the project area. All three are relatively dense, fairly small artifacts scatters that appear to represent the locations of one or two houses.
Archeological surveys of a number of clearcuts in the Oconee Valley have failed to document significant numbers of Middle Mississippian settlements, suggesting that the use of the uplands at this time was limited (Chamblee 1996:34; Elliott 1981a; Pluckhahn 1994). However, as is the case in the Shoulderbone tract, there does appear to be limited use of the uplands in the areas immediately surrounding Middle Mississippian mound centers. Survey of the Oconee National Forest has demonstrated limited Savannah period settlement in the uplands surrounding the Scull Shoals Mound (King 1992). In addition, relatively extensive Scull Shoals phase settlement has been noted in the uplands near Barnett Shoals, in the vicinity of another possible mound site and a large Savannah period village (Ledbetter and 0' Steen 1986; Freer 1989). As one researcher has concluded, it would appear that while use of the uplands may have increased during the Scull Shoals phase, this settlement did not range far from the political and social centers (King 1992: 197).
The identification of a few fairly substantial Savannah period settlements in the project area may confirm previous characterizations of the occupation of the Shoulderbone site. Williams (l990b) suggests that the population of the immediate area around the mound was limited, probably consisting only of the chief, his wives and children, and perhaps a few slaves. Most of the subjects may have lived beyond the walls of the "chiefly compound" (Williams 1995) in clusters of houses such as those that we imagine were present on sites 9HK114 and 9HK156.
Late Mississippian Components
Settlement of the Shoulderbone tract continued, and possibly increased during the Late Mississippian Lamar period. However, this increase does not appear to have been continuous.
161

Instead, the Lamar period settlement of the project area appears to have peaked and waned several times.
Comparatively few Early Lamar, Duvall phase components were identified in the project area. Each of the three possible examples also showed evidence for earlier Scull Shoals phase settlement, and therefore may have been occupied at or near the boundaries of the two phases. The infrequency of Duvall phase components in the survey area is somewhat surprising, given the evidence suggesting that the occupation of the Shoulderbone site peaked during this interval (Williams 199Gb).
It is possible that the Duvall phase occupation of the survey area is somehow underrepresented in our results. However, the complete absence of Morgan Incised ceramics, which are an infrequent, but reportedly consistent marker for the phase, suggests that the results are correct and that there was relatively little use of the Shoulderbone tract during this interval, apart from the mound area itself.
If this is indeed the case, it would mark a significant change from the preceeding Savannah period. Perhaps settlement became more nucleated during the Duvall phase, with a concentration of settlement at the Shoulderbone Mound site itself. It is also possible that satellite settlement dispersed further from the mound center (beyond thereaches of our survey area) during this interval.
Occupation of the project area appears to have increased slightly with the transition to the subsequent Iron Horse phase. Interestingly, this corresponds to the beginning of a decline in settlement at the Shoulderbone Mounds (Williams 199Gb). Possible Iron Horse phase components were identified on sites in the project area, based on the presence of medium and bold incised ceramics and pinched rim sherds, and on the absence of folded rims. One of these (9HKl14) is located directly adjacent to the Shoulderbone site, while the others are located in the surrounding uplands. The collections from these upland sites are smaller and contain few diagnostics, and it is possible that these components may date to the prior Duvall phase or subsequent Dyar phase.
The results of our survey are generally consistent with models suggesting an increasing dispersal of settlements away from mound centers throughout the course of the Lamar period. It appears that the Early Lamar, Duvall phase settlement of the survey tract was limited to the Shoulderbone Mounds and possibly a few nearby sites. Occupation of the uplands probably increased during the transition to the Iron Horse phase.
Only a few sites and one occurrence in the project area produced the type of folded and pinched rims that are characteristic of the Dyar phase. Moreover, it should be noted again that in these cases the evidence is equivocal as the sherds are small. The absence of appreciable quantities of folded and pinched rims suggests that the Dyar phase occupation of the project area was ephemeral, and that most of the Lamar components in the tract date to the Iron Horse phase. This is consistent with Williams' (199Gb) suggestion that the occupation of the Shoulderbone Mounds was on the decline during the Dyar phase. If our artifact
162

chronologies and assignments are correct, the population of the Shoulderbone tract would have been quite small at the time of DeSoto's movement through the Oconee Valley in 1540.
Finally, three sites in the project area produced fine incised sherds indicative of Late Lamar, Dyar or Bell phase occupations. Such incising is more common in the latter phase, suggesting that these are most likely Bell phase settlements that postdate the occupation of the Shoulderbone Mounds. Two of these sites (9HK127 and 9HK162) are located near the southern end of the project area, near an early historic Indian trail that rougWy followed the course of present-day S.R. 77. The other (9HK150) is located in the uplands near the center of the survey tract.
The absence of clearly discernible Dyar phase settlements in the project area may be related to a waning of the social and political importance of the Shoulderbone Mounds, and a corresponding decrease in population. Alternatively, it is possible that settlements merely became more dispersed during this interval, and that many of the outlying houses and farmsteads were located further from the Shoulderbone site, beyond the limits of the survey area. A similar pattern has been noted in the uplands surrounding the Dyar site. Despite a strong Late Lamar occupation of the Dyar Mounds, there was only a very small increase in the settlement of the surrounding uplands from Early to Late Lamar (Rudolph and Blanton 1980). This has been taken to indicate that while the population was somewhat dispersed during the Early Lamar period, the farmsteads were still clustered reasonably close to the mound center and the river, while in the Late Lamar period the farmsteads began to disperse further from these central areas (King 1992).
163

THIS PAGE LEn BLANK

RECOMMENDATIONS
Archeological Resources in the Shoulderbone Tract
Based on the data generated by the survey, we recommend that 25 of the 72 sites that were identified in the Shoulderbone tract, besides the Shoulderbone site itself, are potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. As was noted in the Management Summary, most of these potentially eligible sites are prehistoric artifact scatters that are likely related to the Shoulderbone site occupations, and which may represent farmsteads or, in the case of one or two of the larger sites, small villages.
At first glance, many of these smaller artifact scatters may appear insubstantial, and in some cases heavily disturbed. However, previous research in the Oconee Valley has demonstrated that such sites may hold considerable research potential, despite modem disturbances from agriculture and logging (Hatch 1995; Ledbetter 1988). Many of these sites could contain preserved structural features such as postmolds, as well as related features such as hearths, storage pits, and burials.
The argument that many of the prehistoric artifact scatters should be considered potentially eligible for the National Register would be strengthened by considering them as part of a larger whole. We therefore recommend the creation and ultimate nomination of an archeological district encompassing not only the Shoulderbone Mound site, but also a number of other sites in the surrounding area. The theme for this proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District would be the rise and decline in the occupation of the area over the course of the Mississippian period. We recommend that the following 21 sites, which are probably related to the Shoulderbone Mounds, be the contributing members of the proposed district: 9HK114, 9HK115, 9HK119, 9HK122, 9HK127, 9HK130, 9HK131, 9HK136, 9HK139,9HK141, 9HK150, 9HK153, 9HK155, 9HK156, 9HK158, 9HK161, 9HK162, 9HK164, 9HK174, 9HK181, and 9HK185. The Shoulderbone site (9HK1) itself, which is recommended as eligible to the National Register, would of course be a cornerstone of this district.
Two sites (9HK150 and 9HK153) that are recommended as potentially eligible contain both significant prehistoric components and rock piles of uncertain date and origin. These have been recommended as contributing members of the proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District primarily on the basis of the prehistoric artifact scatters. However, we recommend that the rock piles on these sites are also worthy of additional research and protection.
Four other sites (9HK147, 9HK148, 9HK154, 9HK170) that have been recommended potentially eligible to the National Register also contain rock piles, but no apparent archeological deposits of significance. Unless additional testing demonstrates a more conclusive link between these sites and the prehistoric occupation of the project area, we would recommend that these properties be considered as individual sites, rather than as part of the proposed Shoulderbone Archeological District.
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While most, if not all of these stone features may simply be agricultural features from the nineteenth century, this cannot be conclusively demonstrated on the basis of the survey data. At least one larger rock mound in the project area, on site 9HK154, resembles a type of prehistoric stone burial cairn. The six sites containing rock piles which we have recommended as potentially eligible to the National Register represent a selection of the better preserved and more substantial rock features from the project area.
The remaining 52 sites and all of the artifact occurrences are recommended ineligible to the National Register. While the discovery of these cultural resources has added important knowledge to our understanding of the history of the area, they have little potential for providing additional information due to the sparsity ofthe deposits, the degree of disturbance, or (in the case of the historic sites) because they are redundant with archival sources.
It is our understanding that although final plans have not been completed, there will be minimal development of the Shoulderbone tract. Nevertheless, any plans for roads or other infrastructure should be designed to avoid sites that have been recommended potentially eligible to the National Register. Any such sites that cannot be preserved from development must be archeologically tested to firmly determine research potential and eligibility status for the National Register.
In addition to potential disturbance by construction related to park development, sites could be threatened by illegal artifact collecting and digging. Such unauthorized digging has occurred at the Shoulderbone Mound itself and could occur again, perhaps at other sites discovered by this survey. Hancock County officials should be aware that any sort of digging on archeological sites that is not federally sanctioned (such as the present survey) violates State law (Code Section 12-3-621) unless certain conditions (written permission of landowner; prior notification of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources) are met. In addition, digging at the mounds or at many of the other sites could affect graves, which are protected by even stronger State laws (Code Section 31-21-6).
Development of the Shoulderbone Tract
Hancock County and the Department of Transportation are to be commended for their efforts to create a park incorporating the Shoulderbone Mound complex. Although the Shoulderbone site was apparently well known as a place of importance in the nineteenth century, it had largely faded from memory in the early and middle twentieth century. Public acquisition of the Shoulderbone Mounds and surrounding area will restore the site to its rightful place as one of the most impressive prehistoric sites in the region, if not the state. Ideally, the creation of the Shoulderbone park will allow greater accessibility to this important historical resource for the enjoyment and education of the general public, while at the same time providing greater security and ensuring the continued preservation of the site.
Fencing the mound complex has been recognized as a necessary first step in the creation of a public park. While it is regrettable that we must limit accessibility to the mounds, this is the only way to ensure that they will be safe from looting. The limits of the Shoulderbone site have been marked with pink flagging tape. If the fence follows this
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demarcated boundary line there should be no adverse effects to the site. Moreover, the mounds should be easily viewable from this distance.
It is our recommendation that both the accessibility and the security of the mounds could be further enhanced by carefully removing, by hand, the secondary growth of smaller trees and brush from the area between Mounds A and B. As this corresponds roughly with the village occupation zone, the creation of a grassy plaza in this area will facilitate the interpretation of the site. In addition, the added visibility will make the mounds easier to see for both park visitors and law enforcement, who should routinely inspect the grounds for any suspicious activity.
A series of interpretive displays should be positioned near the mounds. At a minimum, these displays should present a sketch of the periods of occupation, a map of the site, and a brief history of the archeological investigations of the site with a summary of the advancements in archeological field techniques. An artist's reconstruction of the site would also be very useful for interpretation. In addition, a display highlighting preservation laws and warnings should also be included.
The remoteness of the Shoulderbone site presents one of greatest problems for the development of the park. Although a series of rough, unpaved field roads allow access to the site off of S.R. 15, these would require several miles of road improvements to make the site truly accessible, and could impact several of the significant archeological resources in the project area. However, it may be possible to design the road so as to avoid disturbing any significant sites. More direct access could be gained by approaching the site from S.R. 77. However, this would require crossing Whitten Creek. Perhaps an approach road and parking area could be placed on the south side of Whitten Creek, with a modest foot bridge leading to the mound area. The problem with this alternative is that it would impede the surveillance of the site by law enforcement personnel.
Creation of the Shoulderbone park will require careful planning. Any development plans should consider the security of the mounds as a high priority. Consultation with an archeological firm or state agency is advised during all planning stages.
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