Data Recovery Investigations at Site 9Gw144. A Late 19th and 20th Century Farmstead in Gwinnett County, Georgia

Law Environmental, Inc., Kennesaw, Georgia conducted data recovery excavations on Site 9GW144, a late nineteenth-twentieth century farmstead located outside the city limits of Snellville, Georgia in Gwinnett County. Data recovery was primarily conducted between July and September 1991. The site was shovel tested at 20 foot intervals. A total of 14 block units were excavated across the site, totaling 662 square feet of surface soil removal. A 7,700 square foot portion of the back yard and surrounding area was mechanically stripped to expose cultural features. Forty-one cultural features were located in this area in addition to the 20 features located within excavation units. All features were excavated including three pits, 33 posts, and five "rabbit burials". A Level II HABS Structural Survey was conducted, resulting in written and photographic documentation of the site's standing structures, along with an archival and historical record review. A wide range of artifacts was recovered in which those from the mid to late twentieth century were especially numerous. Zooarcheological evidence shows a lack of major faunal discard on the site, with the exception of rabbit bones. Internal site patterning is similar to other late nineteenth-twentieth century sites and conforms to the Upland South farmstead model. Household related structures and activities are clustered to the rear of, and in proximity to the house. Farming and large animal production areas are centered away from the house around the barn complex. The current study suggests refinements to the Upland South model that address the partitioning of farmstead space in terms of short-term versus long-term economic needs or cycles. The study indicates that Site 9GW144's material culture represents middle income economy from about 1865 to 1895, after which it declines into a low income tenant economy. The study resulted in a refinement of dating 19th century domestic sites based on window glass thickness. This method appears to have considerable potential for dating late 19th-early 20th century sites. The current investigation also illustrates the importance of intensive small-scale (shovel testing) sampling and ethnoarcheological correlation on late historic sites.