The people who lived in the late Pleistocene (circa 10-20,000 years ago) in the deep South of the current USA have always been a bit of a mystery to researchers. Where did they come from? It is as if they just showed up one day with their very fine worked stone tools and weapons. Though relatively rare in…
A Summary Report of Archeological Excavations at the La Rua St. Historic Well. This phase of archeological field research at the historic La Rua St. well is complete. The project, funded by the Pensacola Historical Society, was designed to conduct historical research and recover archeological materials from the well to determine the time period of its construction and…
Two very important archeological sites (Magnolia Ridge and Hickory Ridge) are located on a large peninsula extending into Perdido Bay in northwest Florida. Three phases of research have been conducted at two sites on the peninsula, a Mississippian Period village and a Mississippian burial area (circa 1500 A.D). They are separated by a creek. The research was accomplished by the University of West Florida and…
The Catfish Point Site is a prehistoric site located on an eroding, low terrace along the east shore of Perdido Bay. Phase I investigations consisted of the excavation of 15 shovel tests in the site area and a shoreline artifact collection which indicated that prehistoric remains are present on the site. Prehistoric artifacts recovered consist of 102 lithic…
Archeology of a Historic Indian Village on Pensacola Bay. A total of 716 historic aboriginal ceramic artifacts were recovered from the Fairpoint Site during Phase I-III excavations. The ceramic assemblage indicates a single component “Creek Indian” occupation at the site. When compared with samples acquired from prehistoric sites in the area, this assemblage may appear somewhat small, however,…
In 1905, C.B. Moore investigated various archeological sites along the Warrior River in west-central Alabama, one of which was known as the “mound near R.H. Foster Landing.” According to Mr. Moore: “At this landing is a plantation, belonging to Miss Florence H. Foster, of Sylvan, Alabama on which is a mound almost obliterated by cultivation. That which remains was dug into…
This Bibb County, Alabama site was first reported in 1979 by a local person. It is located in the Cahaba River drainage in an area of approximately 100 meters by 30 meters. There is a small mound located at the site (20 meters by 10 meters by 1 meter high). Caleb Curren and Ned Jenkins formally recorded the site in 1979.…
Site 1Ha19 is a Protohistoric Period village site in the Warrior River drainage of central Alabama. Based on radiocarbon dates and ceramics, the site was occupied during the 1600s. Excavated remains included 23 features (refuse pits, ash pits, charred corn pits) and 22 burials. Animal remains included 18 species of invertebrates and 11 species of vertebrates. Pottery…
Site 1Tu4 is a large Protohistoric Period site on the Warrior River in central Alabama. Based on radiocarbon dates and ceramics, the site was primarily occupied during the 1600s. During the field seasons at the site data recovered included: several structures, numerous features, 45 burials (17 bundle, 11 urn, 4 semi-flexed, 4 extended, 1 flexed, 1 cremation, 7 undetermined.).…
The Orline St. John was a side-wheel steamboat built in 1847 at Louisville, Kentucky. The packet boat ended its short life in 1850 on the banks of the Alabama River.