Final Report of Archaeological Investigations at the Site of the Proposed Lumpkin County Reservoir, Lumpkin County, Georgia

The preliminary archaeological survey of the site of the proposed Lumpkin County reservoir revealed two previously unrecorded archaeological sites. Since some potsherds or steatite sherds were found which were of a size indicating recent disturbance, and because of the presence of Woodland ceramics (specifically Swift Creek Complicated Stamped, a ware more commonly found in southern Georgia), it was recommended that further investigation be conducted. Accordingly, both sites were plowed and a controlled surface collection was made. Following this phase of investigation, several test pits were excavated in both areas in order to determine the depth of the plow zone, whether stratification existed, and whether subsurface features were present. The test sites revealed the dark gray-brown loam to be rather uniformly fourteen inches thick and was underlain by a yellow subsoil which was devoid of artifacts. No features were found, and plans were made to implement the next phase of operations as recommended in the original survey. Heavy equipment was used to remove the topsoil and thus expose any archaeological features that may have survived beneath the plow zone. The stripping of the topsoil revealed several small areas of stone which were investigated. One such area was revealed to be a stone lined pit containing two fragments of a steatite (soapstone) vessel. All other stone concentrations were not pits, but were entirely at the base of the topsoil. One of these stone accumulations contained a fragment of a grinding stone. No less than five clay lined pits were also identified extending into the subsoil. One of these pits contained some Swift Creek Complicated Stamped sherds. No positively identifiable post holes were associated with any of the features. After investigations were completed, the topsoil was replaced over both sites.