Archaeology at the French Colonial Site of Old Mobile (Phase 1: 1989-1991)

Summary

Following the discovery by James C. "Buddy" Parnell of archaeological features at the French colonial site of Old Mobile, 1MB94, in the spring of 1989, the University of South Alabama began excavations and a systematic shovel testing survey of the site. With grant support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Alabama Historical Commission, the State of Alabama, and numerous private sponsors, the archaeological research team was able to locate, by 1991, the remains of at least 26 structures and to completely excavate two structures, a domestic dwelling and a blacksmith shop. The features discovered and artifacts recovered during this first phase (from April 1989 to June 1991) of the project are described in this report. Later publications cover additional fieldwork, as well as interpretive analyses of the material included here. Information gathered by 1991 confirmed the identity of the site as the original site of the French colonial town of Mobile, occupied from 1702 until 1711, during which time it served as the capital of the French colony of Louisiane. Some discoveries included abundant artifactual evidence of French-Spanish trade connections, of catlinite pipe manufacture for the calumet ceremony, and of Caribbean influence in house construction methods and floor plans.

Cite this Record

Archaeology at the French Colonial Site of Old Mobile (Phase 1: 1989-1991). Gregory Waselkov. Mobile, Alabama: University of South Alabama Center for Archaeological Studies. 1991 ( tDAR id: 380934) ; doi:10.6067/XCV8JW8DKV

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1702 to 1711

Spatial Coverage

min long: -88.026; min lat: 30.942 ; max long: -87.971; max lat: 30.983 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Gregory Waselkov

Record Identifiers

2004.077(s): Accession Number

File Information

  Name Size Creation Date Date Uploaded Access
archaeology-at-old-mobile.pdf 108.49mb Jan 15, 2013 1:11:37 PM Public