Archeological Investigations at Sites 9Ra52, 9Ra53, 9Ra54 Rabun County, Georgia

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the nature and extent of three sites located on a tract of land under consideration for exchange. The three sites were discovered by a University of Georgia archeological team under contract with the Forest Service during the period August 8 to September 5, 1975. In his report titled "Final Report on Archaeological Survey I, Chattahoochee National Forest (Rabun County, Georgia)", Project Director Greybill described each site as follows (Greybill: 1975:34-35). 9Ra52 - This site is located just below Flint Knob Gap and appears to be a quartz quarry. Large quartz boulders were observed on the surface. Some flakes at this site were so large that transport of an adequate sample was not feasible. The form and size of this material, and the lack of other lithic debris suggests that no modification of blanks was done at the site. 9Ra53 - This site is located on the north edge of Flint Knob Gap. This gap is very flat over most of the area. On the south side of the gap is a small stone pile 2.28 meters in length by 1.68 meters in width. There was no evidence that would permit a chronological placement of this mound. 9Ra54 - This site is located opposite 9Ra53 on the Flint Knob side of the gap. Several large boulders form a rough circle .10-15 meters in diameter. Charcoal was scattered over the site in the humus layer. This may be aboriginal, or [the] result [of] a more recent forest fire. Recognizing the limitations of the survey, Greybill suggested further examination of the sites to assess their potential to yield evidence sufficient to answer and generate questions concerning the extraction or processing of material for tools (Greybill 1975:53): Sites 9Ra27, 52, 53, and 54 present a logical unit of analysis for research directed toward explanation of lithic procurement, distribution, and manufacturing processes by prehistoric inhabitants of these areas. At site 52, it appeared that only large (ca 2 Kg and larger) flakes were being detached from parent outcroppings and boulders. Reduction of these flakes into other blanks, or tools, may have been occurring at the nearby site, 9Ra53 and 54. In order to more fully investigate these circumstances, a partial excavation of each site is recommended. Greybill's report thus set the stage for the present investigation. Work began on September 28, and continued on the following days: October 6, October 14-15,. October 21-22, and November 22, The field team consisted of a principal investigator and one assistant.