THE TUNECUNNEE SITE: Evidence of Hopewell Interaction In Northeast Georgia

This report on the excavation and subsequent analysis and interpretation of the Tunacunnhee Site is a somewhat revised and shortened version of a masters thesis submitted to the University of Georgia in 1975.

Any archaeological research project invariably involves the effort and assistance of a great number of individuals, and the Tunacunnhee project was no exception. I am particularly indebted to the late Dr. Joseph R. Caldwell for giving me the opportunity to assist in the direction of the excavation of the Tunacunnhee Site and entrusting me with the responsibility of analyzing the data. 

The actual excavation of the Tunacunnhee Site was a cooperative project involving the University of Georgia, Covenant College, the Dade County Public School System, the Ani-Yun-Wiya Society, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The Tunacunnhee site is located on land owned by Mr. J. C. Vice, who generously gave the University of Georgia permission to excavate. Financial support for the excavation phase of the project was provided by a group of citizens of Dade and Walker County, Georgia, and Hamilton County, Tennessee. Special thanks is offered to Dr. Joseph Johnson of Lookout Mountain Tennessee for organizing the financial backing for the excavation phase of the project. Archaeological investigation of the Tunacunnhee Site would not have been possible without his deep interest, great enthusiasm, and friendship. 

The Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, provided financial support for the subsequent analysis phase of the project, which was carried out at the Laboratory of Archaeology, University of Georgia. A number of individuals contributed their time and expertise during this analysis phase of the project. Dr. Ronald Butler, then with the Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, assisted in determining the sex and age of human skeletal material recovered from the site. Dr. Grace Thomas of the Department of Zoology, University of Georgia, identified shell material recovered from the site. Dr. Donald Scott, Department of Zoology of the University of Georgia identified fish remains from the site.

Dr. Paul Pannalee, Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, offered suggestions concerning possible species identification of fauna represented on platform pipes. Dr. W. H. Duncan, Department of Plant Science, University of Georgia, identified plant remains from the site. Dr. Kent Schneider, Department of Natural Resources, State of North Carolina, provided x-ray florescence of copper artifacts from the site and commented on the results of the analysis. Ms. Martha Potter Otto, Associate Curator of Archaeology, the Ohio Historical Society, identified chert material from Ohio. Mr. Jerry Elkins, Department of Geology, University of Georgia, assisted in the identification of lithic material and in the preparation of x-rays of copper artifacts.

Throughout the analysis phase of the project and the actual writing of this report a number of faculty members in the Department of Anthropology provided suggestions, comments, and guidance. Dr. David J. Hally served as my major professor and directed my thesis work, while Drs. Donald A. Graybill and Wilfrid C. Bailey served as the reading committee. 

Dr. Bruce D. Smith made many of the suggestions concerning revision and rewriting of both the earlier and final versions of this report. His efforts are greatly appreciated. The typing and preparation of the final draft of the report were provided with patience and concern for accuracy by Mrs. Louise Brice and Mrs. Kathy Butler. 

Finally, I would like to thank my family for their understanding and patience during the period of research and writing of this report.