ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING OF 31MA77, PROPOSED MACON COUNTY AIRPORT EXPANSION, FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA CHICORA RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION 312 ARCHAEOLOGICAL TESTING OF 3IMA77, PROPOSED :MACON COUNTY AIRPORT EXPANSI ON, FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA Prepared By: Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., RPA Prepared For: Mr. Shawn M. Kinder W.K. Dickson 501 Commerce Drive, NE Columbia, South Carolina 29223 CHICORA RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION 312 Chicora Foundation, Inc. PO Box 8664 Colum1ia, SC 29202-8664 803/787-6910 Email: [email protected] www .chicora.org December 15, 2000 This report is printed on permanent paper 00 ABSTRACT In March 2000 Chicora Foundation In the high probability area this work identified archaeologists conducted an intensive archaeological 1,498 postholes and 167 features. The mean number survey of the proposed Macon County airporl of postholes per trench is 20, although the standard expansion. That work revealed that virtually all of the deviation of 16 reflects the considerable variation field to the west of the small Iotla Branch contained between the trenches (the number of postholes ranges remains attributable to 3LMA77. This site, based on from 2 to 76). Regardless, it is possible that as many as the range of materials recovered, site size, depth of the 18,246 postholes and 2,034 features are present in the plowzone (which may provide protection to underlying high probability portion of the site. features); inability to identify the subsoil in multiple tests1 and associated historic connections, was Of the 168 features identified in this work, recommended potentially eligible for inclusion on the four are kn.own to represent burials with in situ human National Register of Historic Places. remains. All four were identified in the high probability site area and were accidentally uncovered during The N. C. Office of State Archaeology (NC stripping operations. The identification of these four SHPO) concurred with this finding and recommended burials suggests that at least 48 burials are present at a program of mechanical site stripping in order to 31M.A77. Since there are at least an additional 28 evaluate the density and distribution of features at potential burials, the number of total in.humations at 31 MA77. The site was divided into two broad zones 31MA77 may be considerably higher, potentially with about 7 acres considered low probabJity because of numbering 390. steep slopes and eroded soils and 13 acres considered high probability because of more level topography and a Artifacts identified during the stripping lack of erosion (or possibly deposition). The low operations suggest that significant Connestee (A.D. probabJity area was to be sampled at 2%, while the high 200-800) and Qualia (ca. A.D" 1450-1838) probability area was to be sampled at 8%. components are present, with smaller (and potentially insignificant) Archaic, Swannanoa, and Pisgah This study reporls on that testing program. A components. series of 80 trenches, incorporating 52,680 square feet, were opened during the four weeks of field investigation. This investigation revealed a wide variety of This included 6,197 square feet in the portion of the data sets, including a large number of well preserved site identified as low probability, reflecting a 2.03% features (including human burials), the presence of sample, and 46,483 square feet in what was identi:Hed postholes (which are likely to reveal house patterns), and as high probability, reflecting an 8.21 % sample. cultural remains including potteryi cut mica, stone tools, and at least one historic artifact. Moreover, the In the low probability area this work identified work reveals that these data sets are well preserved and 71 postholes and one feature. Over a third of these distinct. There is limited evidence of faunal remains, postholes and the single feature were found in Trench but very good preservation of ethnobotanical remains. 10, situated at the toe of the slopei in an area which The sealed deposits may be especially important for the might better be considered intermediate or high recovery of pollen and phytolith evidence. probability. Nevertheless, this suggests that potentially as many as 349 postholes and 49 features exist in the As a result, we recommend the entire site as low probability area. eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria D (ability to yield important information) at the state level of significance. In addition, the linkage between this site and the historic Cherokee village of Joree suggests that the site is also eligible under Criterion A (association with historic events or activities). It is worth noting that even if the site did not meet these clearly defined criteria, the property might still be eligible for inclusion on the National Register for its traditional religious and cultural importance to Native Americans. The ideal solution remains avoidance of the site. This would likely necessitate abandonment of the proposed airport expansion project since there seem to be no feasible alternatives (i.e., sites of equal importance are kno-wn to exist at the opposite end of the runway, to the east). If the project is of such significance that it must be conducted, then data recovery is the only alternative. This data recovery will involve not only 36 CFR Part 800, which outlines procedures for compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, but also with North Carolina's "Unmarked Human Burial and Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act .. (NC Article 3, Section 70-29). This report co~tains a recommended data recovery plan for the site. 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures v List of Tables v Acknowledgments vi Introduction l Background 1 Goals 4 Cu ration 4 Natural Environment 5 Physiography 5 Geology and Soils 6 Climate 7 Fforistics 8 Prehistoric and Historic Background 9 Prehistoric Overview 9 Overhiff/Quafla Cherokee 18 The Cherokee in the Historic Period 19 A Euro-American Historic Synthesis 27 Previous Archaeological Investigations 28 Research Methods 29 Introduction 29 Testing Plan 29 Testing Plan as Implemented 30 Laboratory Methods 34 Site Evaluation 35 Findings 37 Features and Postholes 37 Test Excavations 43 Site Stratigraphy 46 Arii/acts 46 Conclusions . 51 Site bsessment 51 Site Boundary 53 iii Sources Cited 55 Appendix 1. Artifact Catalog 63 Appendix 2. Photo Data Sheets 69 Appendix 3. Data Recovery Plan 91 Appendix 4. Analysis and Reporting on the Human Skeletal Remains 103 Appendix 5. Large Scale Site Plans Pocket, back cover iv LIST OF .FIGURES Figure 1. Project vicinity in Macon County 2 2. Axea of the Macon County Airport 3 3. View of the survey tract 5 4. Generalized cultural periods for North Carolina 10 5. Types of Pisgah phase burials 16 6. Cherokee area showing the distribution of towns 20 7. Kitchin Map of Cherokee Towns in 1760 24 8. Excavation and screening of Unit 2 30 9. Tracked backhoe opening a trench 31 10. Shovel skimming behind stripping 31 11. Portion of Trench 16 showing identified feature and postholes with metal tags 32 12. Site map showing limits of anticipated disturbance, sampling areas, and trench locations 33 13. Installing the filter fabric 34 14. Trench 70, Feature 158 41 15. Trench 70, Feature 156 42 16. Trench 74, Feature 160 42 17. Clusters of materials at 31MA77 and generalized site boundaries 44 18. Test Unit 1, top of subsoil 45 19. Test Unit 2, top of subsoil 45 20. Artifacts from 31 MA:J.7 48 21. Pottery from 31.MA77 49 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Trenches, postholes, and features 38 2. Size and nature of identified features 39-41 3. Projectile points recovered at 31MA77 47 v ACI<l\TOWLEDGMENTS I appreciate the support and assistance of Mr. ordinary, but they did everything possible to assist us in Shawn Kinder and Mr. Gary Varga with W.K. Dickson our work. in Columbia, South Carolina. We appreciate the opportunity to provide this study for their use. We also A number of professional colleagues have also appreciate the assistance provided by Ms. Linda Hall, given of their time to provide assistance in the Western Field Office .Archaeologist with the North completion of this study. In particular Dr. David Moore Carolina Office of State Archaeology in Asheville and (Warren Wilson College), Mr. Tom Padgett (NC Mr. Steve Claggett1 State Archaeologist with the North DOT), Dr. Paul Webb (TCR Garrow), Mr. Ken Carolina Office of State Archaeology in Raleigh. Robinson, and Dr. David Weaver (Wake Forest University) have generously given of their time and I want to thank Mr. Tom Covington, Ms. expertise. In particular, I appreciate the assistance of Nicole Southerland, and Mr. Jack Aube who ably and Dave Weaver in preparing the recovery and analysis plan carefully conducted the field investigations. The maps for the human skeletal remains at 31 MA77. were prepared by Ms. Debi Hacker and her constant skill and patience is always appreciated. In addition, we I also appreciate the professional and cordial appreciate the assistance of everyone at Appalachian assistance from Mr. James Bird and Mr. Brian Burgess Construction. In particular we need to thank Mr. Jake of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Preservation Henderson for his care and skill in equipment Office; Mr. Greg Richardson, Executive Director, NC operation. I also appreciate the assistance of everyone Indian Affairs Commission; as well as other interested with Macon County; our requests were often out of the individuals, such as Mr. Bill Evans. vi INTRODUCTION Background. Pisgah, and Connestee remains. The Macon County Airport is situated about The study found that the runway expansion 3 miles northwest of the to'W'Il of Franklin, North would not affect any cultural resources on the east side Carolina, and about 55 miles southwest of Asheville, of the branch. On the west side, however, site 31 MA77 North Carolina (Figure 1).