Archaeological Survey of the Dry Creek/ Long Cane Creek Area, Abbeville County, South Carolina

This report briefly summarizes the results of an archaeological surface survey of approximately 99 ha (245 ac) of an uplands area located between Long Cane Creek and Dry Creek in Abbeville County, South Carolina (U.S.G.S. Abbeville East 1950). Fieldwork for this study was conducted on April 17, 1993 by volunteers with the LAMAR Institute. The primary area examined was a recent timber clearcut tract owned by the Champion Paper Corporation. Portions of U.S. Forest Service land (also dearcut) also were examined. The survey consisted of surface reconnaissance only, and no collections were made from any of the sites. Notes were taken concerning potentially diagnostic artifacts. This tract was selected because of its proximity to the Ramona Mound site (38AB355), and because of the author's need to know if any significant Woodland period sites were located in this area (Elliott 1984:21). All sites within the tract were identified and state site forms completed for each. A total of 16 field sites were located, and 13 of these were recorded as state archaeological sites. Figure 1 shows the location of these sites. The remaining three included two isolated artifact finds and one field site that was combined with another to form a single state site. Selected diagnostic artifacts observed by the survey crew are shown in Figure 2. While this study was not intended as - a compliance document, recommendations for additional research on potentially significant sites identified within the study area are provided. The project area is located on the outer reaches of the Savannah River watershed in Abbeville County, South Carolina. This area is composed of extensively eroded igneous and metamorphic rocks whose upper surface is weathered to form day and sandy clay saprolite soils. The drainage in this area is dendritic, and continues to erode when vegetation is removed. The Champion Paper tract had been recently clearcut and planted in pine seedlings. Heavy equipment was used in the clearing process resulting in extensive damage to the upper soil surfaces. This area has been degraded by many years of cultivation as well.