Masthead L-R: site gridding and screening at Creekside Rock Shelter, excavations at the historic Elisha Winn House, public archaeology at Fort Daniel.
General Meeting: The speaker at the February 9 meeting will be Carey Waldrip, who will be speaking on Janie Loubser’s excavations and findings at Track Rock Gap in Union County, Ga. Janie Loubser spoke to us last year about the Trap Rock petroglyphs, but there is much more to the site than the petroglyphs, and some folks are claiming it is a Mayan site!
Educated as an Electronic Engineer, Carey Waldrip was employed for 35 years at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (FEDC) at Arnold Air Force Base, TN. With a life-long interest in history and archaeology, shortly after retiring to Track Rock Gap near Young Harris, Ga., Waldrip established the Track Rock Gap Alliance to explore, map and excavate on site 9UN367. More recently Cary was appointed Chairman of the Unicoi Turnpike Committee of Towns County Historical Society, and is working to identiry, preserve and protect existing remnants of the old turnpike.
The Yupaha/Mayan Speculation: Has a Mayan site (or sites) been discovered in north Georgia? According to Richard Thorton, several sites in Georiga and Florida, including the Track Rock Site, show evidence that the Mayans were mining gold nd living in the Southeastern United States. Georgia archaeologists strongly dispute these assertions. In preparation for Waldrip's presentation, you might want to look at Loubser's actual excavation report. 9UN367
| Newest Mystery Artifact - What Is It? | ||
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This tool was found on the surface on private property once belonging to the historic Wynne Plantation in Lawrenceville, Ga. It was an isolated find with no apparent context. The tool stone is Amphibolite. Amphibolite Xenoliths are common in the granite-gneiss bedrock of this part of Georgia and Amphibolite formal quarry tools at Soapstone bowl sites (circa transition from Late Archaic to Early Woodland. See Graves Soapstone Site presentation for examples) are common. However this "formal" tool most likely is from the historic or contact period. It weights about 7 lbs and is about 30cm long with battered or, more likely, broken edges. The slighly a-symmertrial diamond shape resembles the metal millstone dressing "bits" that were held in "thrifts". But millstones were not dressed with amphibolite tools. What is it? |
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| The April 2011 field trip to the Howard Natural Cement Company in Kingston, GA. | ||
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| Howard Lime Kilns A & B (l) Howard Lime Quarry/Mine (r) | ||
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| Howard Double Lime Kiln A, Facade (l); Lime Kiln Creek Kiln (c), facade (r) | ||
2011 T-Shirt design competition winner: Karen Lee (GARS logo design by Shannon Coffey). Shirts are available in various sizes with a donation of $20 (per shirt) to GARS for its program and field expenses.
The 2010 field trip to the late 19th - early 20th century brickworks ruins in Athens introduced participants to a very early, and what is probably Georgia's first "tunnel" kiln. The US Patent dates for this "Shaw continuous kiln" were 1913 and 1916. Brick for construction of the kiln would have been made from an earlier type of kiln that employed the "Boss System" for providing draft. The Boss System was patented in 1901. An 1874 map of Athens shows the "Barber" brick yard in this location so brick making at this site goes back at least that far. The group then had lunch at "Clocked," followed by an orientation to UGA's Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript research library conducted by staff.
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Future field trips and projects include: an archaeological survey of the Talmo site in Jackson County; visit to and possible recordation of the Howard Natural Cement Company site (1850s to early 20th c.) in Cement, GA; recordation of a 'mystery' site with students at the Berkmar school.
A four-day excavation project was carried out in 2010 at the Graves Soapstone Site [9DA411] in Gwinnett County. The site dates to approximately 3500 BP and was originally investigated by TRC in 2002-2003 under the direction of Jim D'Angelo. Artifacts including formal diabase and quartzite tools, will be turned over to the County when conservation has been completed (see "2010 Excavations Review" media presentation link at bottom menu column).
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The 2010 Archaeology Month and Frontier Faire, a joint effort of GARS and the Fort Daniel Foundation (FDF) was held in May. Below are photos of the GARS' brick making project. A media presentation link is found on the left. Details about the Fort Daniel Foundation and the archaeology of Fort Daniel, as well as links to several other media shows can be found at the Foundation's web site: www.thefortdanielfoundation.org. |
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Excavations at the Creekside Rock Shelter during the 2009 Winn Faire (October 13 & 14) brought hundreds of visitors to the site as well as to the GARS/Fort Daniel Foundation tent and exhibit. While no new artifacts were found this year (previously recovered artifacts were on display in the tent) visitors learned about archaeological methods and about about GARS' work on the Winn property and at Fort Daniel.
Recovering and Preserving Our Past
You don't have to be Indiana Jones to enjoy the adventure of archaeology. If you would like to learn more about archaeology and help recover the rich cultural history of greater Gwinnett, considered joining the Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society. GARS is an organization of professional and avocational archaeologists and interested individuals and families who share a keen interest in history - both prehistoric and historic. The scope of our projects includes archival research, archaeological survey, scientific excavation, artifact analysis and publication of results. As GARS' projects suggest, there is need for a wide range of interests and skills.
GARS also works with other community organizations, such as the Gwinnett Historical Society and the Environmental and Heritage Center to provide the larger environmental and historic context for archaeological investigations, and to educate the public on the need to study and preserve our heritage.
Visit GARS at the Society for Georgia web site:
http://thesga.org/category/chapters/gwinnett-archaeological-research-society/
Site Loss
An alarming number of Georgia's (and the world's) archaeological and historic sites are being lost mostly due to development. For more on this critical issue go to: http://thesga.org/2005/04/loss-of-georgias-archaeological-heritage-detailed/
To find out about Archaeology & Georgia's Laws go to: http://thesga.org/sga-in-depth/archaeology-and-georgias-laws/
2010-11 Annual Membership Application
Membership Type: � Individual $15.00 � Family $20.00 � Student $8.00Date: ___________20___
Name: _________________________Eligible Family Members: _____________________________
Address: ______________________City: ___________________State: ________ Zip: ___________
Phone Numbers H: ___________________ W: ___________________ C: ____________________
E-Mail Address: _______________________ Emergency Contact: _______________________and
Phone: ___________________ Signature: ___________________________________
Please make check or money order payable to GARS (Gwinnett Archaeological Research Society).
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Receipt for GARS 2009 Membership Dues
Date: ____________Name:
___________________________ Check No. ______ $ ___________Membership Type: � Individual � Family � Student
Bring to General Meeting or mail top of form with check or money order to:
GARS c/o Fort Daniel Foundation , 451 Thornbush Trace, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Form GARS 001 Rev.8-2010