An Archaeological Investigation of a New Trail System at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park Kennesaw, GA

During the spring of 2007, the Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC) conducted a series of investigations focused on archeological data recovery prior to the establishment of several miles of new trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (KEMO). Established in 1935 KEMO commemorates the Civil War's Atlanta Campaign fought during the summer of 1864. The purpose of the new system of trails is to better interpret the battle from the perspective of the Union Army. The resulting archeological investigations involved the examination of approximately nine-and one-half miles via metal detecting. Additionally, three parking lots were examined for potential expansion, and one parking lot and three comfort stations were examined for creation.

The proposed new segments of trail, which had been marked by KEMO personnel prior to SEAC's arrival, were examined with metal detectors operated by experienced volunteers from the Chattanooga Area Relic and Historical Association. All told, the investigations uncovered 1,157 artifacts ranging in nature from fired bullets and artillery shell fragments to carved bullets and cut nails. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the artifacts recovered could be definitively attributed to the battle for Kennesaw Mountain. A single shovel test was excavated at each of the three locations planned for the creation of the comfort stations. No artifacts were recovered from any of these areas, and it was determined that construction could proceed as planned. Shovel testing was also conducted in the parking lots. All shovel tests were excavated on a 20-meter interval. Only two were positive for cultural remains. None of the items recovered from the shovel tests could be definitively linked to the battle for Kennesaw Mountain. The locations of all artifacts collected were recorded using a Trimble global positioning system. Their locations were incorporated into a geographic information system (GIS) along with a geo-rectified map showing troop positions and movements during the battle. The resulting GIS served as an interpretive aid with which to present the findings of these investigations.