Back to top

A Descriptive Survey of Archaeological Sites Discovered During A 1984 Draw down of Lake Harding

Author(s)
Report Number
724
Year of Publication
1984
Abstract

During the fall of 1984, Lake Harding was drawn down thirty-three feet. A number of previously uninvestigated archaeological sites were exposed during this low water period. Members of the Lower Chattahoochee Archaeological Society carried out a researcher designed survey of the exposed lake bottom. This survey revealed 131 distinct archaeological sites. Identification of hundreds of artifacts recovered from the exposed sites has allowed this researcher to document evidence as to the presence of six Indian periods, Paleo, Paleo-transitional, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian and Historic, during the past 10,000 years at Lake Harding. Each site yielding identifiable artifacts, assignable to a period component, was included in the results section. The description for each site included, site number, artifact names and numbers, period name and chronology. Conclusions dealt primarily with the acceptance of up to six hypotheses concerning Indian cultural components evident at each site. Recommendations concerned the need for -further work, at selected sites, in the Lake Harding Basin, should a future lengthy draw down occur. Summary of this research was presented visually in maps drawn to illustrate period data in time and space, as applicable to the Lake Harding Basin.