Georgia - Chattahoochee-Oconee NF
Closed! In a Bend of the Broad: Test Excavations at Site 9ST62, Part II
GA-4232
March 9-13, 2015
Must commit to entire session
In 2014, our PIT project's test excavations at site 9ST62 revealed the presence of a significant prehistoric site! In fact, it appears that three different occupations occurred here: the first two appear to have been brief, and represent the Middle Woodland, 'Cartersville Period' (ca. 100 B.C.-A.D. 550), and the Early Mississippian, 'Etowah Period' (A.D. 900-1200), respectively. The primary occupation seems to fit with the Late Mississippian 'Lamar Period' (A.D. 1450-1650), based on dating techniques and diagnostic artifacts. Several features were encountered during these excavations, including the burned remains of what was likely a house. Our preliminary interpretations are that this site represents an isolated farmstead, and this would be the first such site ever excavated in Northeast Georgia!
This spring, PIT volunteers, FS staff, and archaeologists from the private firm Southern Research will return to the site to carry out additional excavations. Our ultimate goal is to determine how the site is laid out, how many structures are present, and how the site was used. This work will be a significant contribution to archaeological research in Northeast Georgia. We hope you will join us once again for this unique and important project!
Number of openings: 8
Special skills: Previous archaeological excavation/testing, survey, mapping, artifact identification (especially Late Mississippian), sketching, and/or photography experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 10 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Tent and small (pop-up) RV camping permitted on site at no charge; no toilets, no potable water; Hotels/motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities available in towns of Cornelia and Commerce; volunteers responsible for own lodging/personal camping equipment, food, water, and daily transportation to and from designated meeting area (if opting for in-town accommodations)
Nearest towns: Cornelia, 8 miles; Toccoa, 11 miles; Commerce, 28 miles
Applications due: January 19, 2015