Archeological Excavations at an Early Mississippian Mound in Central Alabama

It was hypothesized in the early 1980s that a recently reported aboriginal mound and village site (1Ds72) in Dallas County, Alabama, might be a contact site of the sixteenth century Spanish expedition of Hernando de Soto (1539-42) (figure 1) (Curren, Little, Lankford 1981).

The results of the 1981 findings are reiterated in this PAL Journal article and the 1982-83, 91 data appear for the first time. The tests were successful in determining that the mound was likely occupied earlier than the Soto expedition. The information was useful in adjusting the Soto route to better fit the data at hand in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s (Curren 1987a-b, 1991, 1992, 1994; Curren, Little, and Holstein 1989; Little and Curren 1990). The tests also brought to light some interesting new information concerning the early developments of aboriginal cultures during the early Mississippian Period in central Alabama as well as data concerning 19th and early 20th century Afro-American burial customs. The following article describes the discovery of the mound, the test excavations, and the results.

The Dallas County mound site (1Ds72) was first reported in 1980 during a survey conducted by Auburn University and the Alabama.

Historical Commission (Jenkins and Paglione 1980). The site was known locally and, consequently, highway surveyors had routed a road to avoid the site (personal communication, Ned Jenkins 1982). The 1980 survey was designed to record numerous sites in a relatively short period, therefore, the archeologists spent only enough time at the site to make observations necessary for completing state site files and their survey report.

The ATRC 1981 survey team learned of the Dallas County mound site from state records as well as through discussions with one of the 1980 archeological team, Ned Jenkins. Several visits were made to the site by the ATRC team during the winter of 1981 when surface collections and test excavations were conducted (Curren, Little, and Lankford 1982). A detailed map was made of the site during the summer of 1982 and a test unit was placed on a slight rise in the plowed field adjacent to the mound in the spring of 1983.

The specific site location is omitted from this article in an effort to protect it from vandalism. It is situated on the edge of the floodplain of a large creek, some ¾ of a mile from the current channel of the creek. Two small tributaries are present south and west of the site. The primary soil type of the site in this area of the Blackbelt physiographic division is Kipling loam. Most of the site was forested in 1981 although a portion was in plowed fields. The primary portion of the site is forested and consists of a large, well preserved 34 meters north-south x 18 meters east-west (100 ft. x 54 ft.). The mound was in excellent condition in 1981 with only about 6 small potholes on the southern quarter. A clearly defined barrow pit is present on the southwestern edge of the mound. Smaller depressions are present in the area around the  mound and, according to local information, are the remains of African-American burials of the 18th and early 19th centuries. A slight rise in a plowed field to the southeast of the large mound may be the remains of a smaller mound, perhaps a burial mound. Surface scatters of artifacts were very sparse in the plowed field. The landowner was aware of the importance of the site and kept looters from digging there.

The goals of the test excavations at the site were to determine the time period of occupation and recover a sample of any early European material remains that might be present. The researchers also sought to determine the degree of disturbance to the site and the presence or absence of subsurface features. A research strategy was designed which would yield maximum results with minimal impact to the site. Surface collections were made in the plowed field adjacent to the mound and test excavations were placed atop and adjacent to the mound. A low rise, thought to be a burial mound, in the plowed field was also tested. A total of 14 test units were excavated over the span of 10 years (Nov.-Dec. 1981; July 1982; March 1983; and Jan. 1991). Standard excavation techniques were employed and included mapping of the units, horizontal and vertical controls, dry-screening of all soils through ¼ inch wire mesh, bagging artifacts by provenience, photos of all units, floor plans and profiles of all units, and back-filling of all units. Metal gutter spikes were pushed into the ground at the corners of the units so that they could easily be relocated with the aid of a metal detector. Test units were mapped from their northeast corners. Most units were not dug to culturally sterile zones due to the specific research questions dealing with late Mississippian occupations usually found on the surface and in the upper strata of sites.

The placement of these test units was decided by several factors. The edges of the top of the mound were left undisturbed to prevent erosion and the large trees were avoided to prevent damage to them. The small rise in the plowed field was tested as a possible burial mound or house mound. The area west of the large mound was tested as a possible habitation area. A total of 14 test units produced some  artifacts and 14 subsurface features (Table 1). The features included probable historic Afro-American burials as well as late Woodland and Mississippian period features. A total of 14 test units were excavated during the ATRC research. Five shallow 2 x 2 meter test units (#1-#5) were excavated atop the large mound during the 1981 season. One 2 x 12 meter unit (#6) was excavated during the spring of 1983 along the low rise in the plowed field southeast of the large mound. In January of 1991, five more test units (#7-#11) were dug near the base of the large mound along its’ northeastern perimeter. Three more units (#12-#14) were completed, in May of 1991, approximately 30-40 meters west of the mound in an attempt to locate any village middens which may be present. The descriptions of Test Units 1-5, which follow, were taken from the 1982 ATRC publication, itself based on field notes from the 1981 fieldwork (Curren, Little, and Lankford 1982). Test Unit 6, first reported here, was excavated on the slight rise in the plowed field adjacent to the mound during the spring of 1983. Based on this unit and several shovel tests, the plow-zone in the field was approximately 15 cm deep and features were present beneath the plow-zone. Test Units 7-11 were excavated during the 1991 season and are first reported here. Units 7-11 were placed at the base of the large mound along the northeastern perimeter in order to obtain a larger sample of diagnostic artifacts and features with minimum impact to the mound itself. Based on the first five test units (#1-#5), the upper stratigraphy of the mound appeared to be fairly consistent. The upper stratum consisted of dark, humus topsoil approximately 5-15 cm deep. This zone was highly disturbed by roots and concentrations of large tubers, possibly Smilax. The second stratum extended to approximately 25-35 cm deep.This zone was comprised of a brown, sandy loam. Root action and large tubers disturbed the upper portions of this zone. The dark coloration appears to have been the result of leaching of the upper zone, root action, and animal disturbances. The third stratum was a light colored, off white, sandy soil. Only the top of this zone was encountered.

Test Unit 1. Test Unit 1 was excavated in 1981 to a depth of 30 cm in three 10 cm arbitrary levels. Soil from all levels was dry screened through .25-inch screen. Feature 1 was encountered in Level 1, although not very well defined. The feature was defined by a concentration of red, gray, and yellow lumps of clay. An edge of the feature was discernable at the bottom of Level 3. An extension was excavated into the eastern profile to reveal the shape of the feature, rectangular. A cross-section was dug 20 cm deep to verify the shape of the pit. The pit fill, shape, and metal detector anomaly indicated that the feature was a historic Afro-American burial (see Feature 4). At the bottom of Level 3 another possible feature, Feature 2, was noted in the northwest corner of the unit. A dark stain mottled with daub defined Feature 2. The edges were not well defined. Artifacts found in this unit and feature are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 2. Test Unit 2 was excavated in 1981 to a depth of 20 cm in two 10 cm arbitrary levels. Soil from all levels was dry screened through .25 inch screen. Two features were designated at the bottom of Level 2. Feature 3 was a concentration of daub in the southern half of the unit. This feature appears to represent a wall fall. Feature 4 was an amorphous stain in the northwest corner of the unit. A metal detector anomaly was noted over the pit. The unit was expanded to expose the entire unit. At a depth of 30 cm, the feature was well defined as a rectangular pit filled with lumps of red, gray, and yellow clay. The pit fill changed at a depth of 70 cm to a hard lens of fine compact white sand 60 cm thick. Below this lens small, badly corroded, iron, square nails outlined what was probably a coffin. No skeletal bone or wood was preserved, however, several teeth were found. The presence of deciduous molars indicated that it was a child burial. The teeth were reburied. Artifacts found in this unit and features are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 3. Test Unit 3 was excavated in 1981 to a depth of 15 cm in one level. A 10cm arbitrary level could not be maintained due to the disturbances of large tuber concentrations. Soil was dry screened through .25 inch screen. A concentration of daub in the northern half of the unit was designated as Feature 5. This feature probably represents part of the postulated wall fall, Feature 3. A metal detector anomaly was recorded in the southwest corner of the unit. No feature was apparent. The southwest corner was expanded and a 70-x 80 cm block was taken down to a 25 cm at which point Feature 6 was encountered. Feature 6 appeared to be a post mold 20 cm in diameter defined by a dark brown stain containing small fragments of charcoal and daub. The metal detector anomaly was confined to the feature. The feature was cross-sectioned, cored, and screened through .25 inch screen. No recovery was made. The screened dirt was then examined with the metal detector; no anomaly was found. The fact that the metal detector led to the discovery of the feature appears to eliminate operator error. Assuming that it was not an operator error, the anomaly may have been a concentration of metallic minerals dispersed when the soil was removed and screened, or perhaps a deteriorated metal object which disintegrated in the process of soil removal and screening. Artifacts found in this unit and features are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 4. Test Unit 4 was excavated in 1981 to a depth of 42 cm in three levels. Level 1 was excavated to the bottom of the topsoil humus zone and large tuber disturbance to a depth if 15 cm. A few pieces of daub were noted in the northwest corner. Level 2 was excavated to the bottom of zone two. The soil was screened through .25 inch screen. A dark amorphous stain was found in the northeast corner, Feature 7. Level 3 was excavated to 42 cm. Soil was screened through .25 inch screen. Feature 7 was definable at the bottom of Level 3 as the edge of a rounded feature extending into the profile, possibly a post mold. An edge of a clay filled pit, Feature 8, was found in the southeast corner. The profile of the southeast corner showed disturbances above Level 3 that had concealed the possible first encounter at a higher level. The edge of the pit exposed in the unit exhibited an almost right angle corner. The square edge and clay pit fill indicated a possible Afro-American burial. Artifacts found in this unit and features are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 5. Test Unit 5 was excavated in 1981 to a depth of 25cm in two levels. Level 1 was excavated to the bottom of the top of the soil humus zone and large tuber disturbance to a depth of 15 cm. Two amorphous shaped clay filled features were encountered, feature 9 and 10. Level 2 was excavated to a depth of 25 cm. Soil was dry screened through .25 inch screen. At the bottom of Level 2 Feature 9 and 10 took on more definite shapes. Feature 9 was defined as a strait line edge of clay filled pit in the north profile. The feature was interpreted as a probable Afro-American burial due to the high level of first encounter, pit fill, and strait line edge. Feature 10 was defined as an end of a rectangular, clay-filled pit and interpreted as a probable Afro-American burial. A cross-section to a depth of 40 cm verified the pit shape. Artifacts found in this unit and feature are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 6. This unit, excavated in March of 1983, was 2 meters north-south by 12 meters east-west in area with smaller extensions added to the north and south to expose two features. Three features were discovered and excavated (features 11, 12, 13). Feature 11 was a horizontal spread of mainly quartz cobbles in the general shape of a teardrop. The quartz cobbles were small,  unworked and ranged. The feature was encountered at approximately 15-20 cm. and entire thickness of the cobble feature was approximately 10 cm. Artifacts from the feature are listed in Table 1. The function of the feature is unknown. It could be somehow associated with this low rise as a burial mound and even marking a cremation burial, however no remains such as ash or teeth remains were noted. Feature 12 was a poorly preserved extended burial. The bone remains were barely discernable due to disintegration from the acid soils of the field. The directional orientation of the burial was head to northwest, feet to southwest. The disintegrated remains of the burial were left in the feature. The size of the feature was 1.6 meters x 70 cm. in horizontal layout and was encountered at approximately 20 cm. Feature 13 was encountered at approximately 20 cm. and its function is unknown. The diameter of the feature was 1.24 meters on an east-west line. A total of six probable post holes were exposed in this test unit. They ranged in diameter from 14-35 cm. Due to time constraints, they were not cored or cross-sectioned. Four of the probable post holes were found adjacent tothe shoulders and head section of the burial and could have been associated with the burial, perhaps as markers for the burial. Artifacts from the feature and unit are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 7. This unit, excavated in January of 1991, was 4 meters north-south by 50 cm. east-west in area. The southern end of the unit abutted the base of the mound. No artifacts or features were located in the upper 15 cm. of the unit. The soil in the upper 0-15 cm. level was dark brown sandy loam. The soil in the lower 15-20 cm. level was light brown sand. Artifacts from the unit are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 8. This unit, excavated in March of 1991, was 2×2 meter in area and abutted the base of the mound on the northwest side. The soil in the upper 0-10cm. level was dark brown sandy loam. The soil in the lower 10-15 cm. level was light brown sand. Feature 14, a small basin shaped pit, was located in the southeastern corner of the unit. The soil in the feature was a very dark brown sandy clay loam. Artifacts from the unit and feature are listed in Table 1.

Test Units 9, 10,11. These units, excavated in March of 1991, were 1×1 meter in area and abutted the base of the large mound on the northeast side. The soil in the upper 0-10cm. level was dark brown sandy loam. The soil in the lower 10-15 cm. level was light brown sand. No features were encountered in any of these units. Artifacts from these units are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 12. This unit, excavated in May of 1991, was 1 meter x 50 cm. and was located approximately 40 meters west of the south end of the large mound. The unit was excavated in natural zones. The upper zone was brown sandy loam that was 0-30 cm. deep. The lower zone of sterile, tan sandy soil was encountered at approximately 30-35 cm. deep. No features were encountered in this unit. Artifacts from the unit are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 13. This unit, excavated in May of 1991, was 1×2 meters in area and was located approximately 35-40 meters west of the south end of the large mound. The unit was excavated in natural zones. The upper zone was brown sandy loam that was 0-30cm. deep. The lower zone of sterile, tan sandy soil was encountered at approximately 30-35cm. deep. Feature 15 was exposed and excavated in this unit and consisted of a concentration of quartz and quartzite cobbles and a sparse amount of quartz and quartzite flakes. The thickness of the stone concentration was 10-15 cm. Adjacent to the stone concentration was another concentration of mottled clay and soil that was 10-15cm. in thickness. Sparse amounts of charcoal were found as well as sparse amounts of small stone flakes. The function of this feature is unknown. Artifacts found in this unit and feature are listed in Table 1.

Test Unit 14. This unit, excavated in May of 1991, was 1×2 meters in area and was located approximately 30 meters west of the south end of the large mound. This unit was excavated in natural zones. The upper zone was brown sandy loam that was 0-30cm.deep. The lower zone of sterile, tan sandy soil was encountered at approximately 30-35cm. deep. No features were encountered in this unit. Artifacts from the unit are listed in Table 1.

1Ds172 is an important site in central Alabama prehistory and history. There were, apparently, at least three occupations at the site which include late Woodland, Mississippian, and Afro-American historic 19th-early 20th century. The large Mississippian mound is in an excellent state of preservation. It is unusual to find such a mound in this condition outside museum parks. The late Woodland component is identified by diagnostic grit tempered check stamped, cord marked, and fingernail punctuated ceramics. Shell tempered pottery, daub, a pyramidal mound, and possibly a burial mound identify the Mississippian component. Two pottery types may indicate that the Mississippian occupation of the site may have been early during Moundville I at circa A.D. 1000-1250.Those types include Moundville Incised variety Moundville and variety Snows Bend. The conspicuous lack of pottery types of later in the Mississippian may also support this hypothesis. The late historic period (19th-early 20th cen.) is represented by a probable Afro-American cemetery on and around the large mound. Excavated Feature #4 proved to be a burial likely dating to  this period. Features #1, 8, 9, and 10, likely date to this same period. Oral history of the area also support the hypothesis that early Afro-Americans used the mound area as a cemetery. This practice has been reported elsewhere including at least two other sites in central Alabama by Clarence B. Moore (1899).

The site certainly deserves continued preservation and research. The research topics at the site are numerous and include the late Woodland – Mississippian cultural sequence as well as the burial practices and beliefs of early Afro-American cultures in the area.With the research program during the 1980’s, we successfully tested our hypothesis that the site could be related to the A.D. 1540 Spanish entrada led by Hernando de Soto. The conclusion was that site 1Ds172 was occupied and abandoned long before the Soto expedition. “At times, by finding where something isn’t, one finds where it is” (Moreno Blount).

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