Archeological Survey of the Trotters Shoals Reservor Area in South Carolina

Archeological survey was conducted by the Institute of Archeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina, in the South Carolina portion of the basin of Trotters Shoals Reservoir, scheduled for construction by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on the upper Savannah River between Clark Hill and Hartwell Reservoirs. The upper Savannah River valley in the Piedmont Upland region is characterized by four geomorphic and microenvironmental zones: river channel, alluvial floodplain, dissected valley slopes, and upland surface. The valley appears to have been thinly settled, both in prehistoric and early historic times. A total of 35 archeological sites was recorded. On the basis of content these were classified as lithic, ceramic, or multicomponent sites, fish traps, and historic sites. Most lithic sites were Old Quartz-Morrow Mountain camps on elevated locations within the valley slopes zone. Limited evidence of Palmer, Guilford, and Savannah River Archaic occupation, based on diagnostic projectile point types, was also obtained. Ceramic sites included both camps on the valley slopes and agricultural villages on alluvial floodplain. Multicomponent sites having both lithic and ceramic remains were chiefly campsites on the valley slopes. Three fish traps, probably of prehistoric origin, were located within the Savannah River channel at Cherokee Shoals and Trotters Shoals. These traps may be associated with prehistoric fishing camps on bluffs nearby. Historic sites in the reservoir basin included a mill site and a farm and ferry crossing of the 19th century. Additional archeological investigation is recommended for 12 sites in the reservoir basin in South Carolina.