Finding Aid, Divide Cut Section Archaeological Testing And Data Recovery I 1976-1978

Summary

This collection is referred to as "Divide-Cut Section Archaeological Testing and Data Recovery I 1976-1978.” This name is consistent throughout the finding aid, the file folders, and the box labels. The extent of this collection is three-and-a-half (3.5) linear inches.

This collection was separated from the Divide-Cut Section Archaeological Survey and the Divide-Cut Section Archaeological Testing and Data Recovery II collections, with which it was intermingled. For a time, both Divide Cut I and the Divide Cut Survey were processed as a single collection, in which the survey was considered background. This was due to several concerns. Both of these small document collections were created by the University of Mississippi under the direction of Dr. Robert Thorne, and the phase II and III investigations seemed to follow immediately after the survey. Upon conferring with USACE and with the Cobb Institute of Archaeology, it was determined that there are distinct artifact collections for each of these archival collections. Thus, the collection was further split, and Divide Cut I became a unique investigation. Folders were reviewed to determine which investigation they belonged to and split where documents from both the survey and the first investigation were found. USACE Mobile District provided the survey report, and it was inserted into the survey collection. There are now three document collections for the Divide Cut section of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Multi-Resource District.

The collection arrived in relatively good condition. The total Divide-Cut documents were received in ten acid-free boxes labeled 0015 to 0018, 0021, 0022, and 0024 to 0027. Documents within these boxes were organized into acid-free folders, but the boxes were packed with newspaper to fill empty space and prevent the contents from shifting. Some bound documents that were larger than the boxes had been placed into the bottoms of boxes which lead to the documents becoming warped. Photographs were received in acidic hanging files inside of a plastic box. When the investigations were separated, it was found that Divide Cut Survey and Divide Cut I documents were largely found in boxes 0018 and 0021.

The Divide-Cut Section Archaeological Testing and Data Recovery I 1976-1978 archival collection contains a variety of administrative, analysis, and report records. Administrative records include various memoranda and correspondence, service contracts and modifications, progress reports, budgetary information, findings of fact, and payment vouchers. Analysis records include a report on pollen analysis, as well as oversized analysis data sheets and an oversized artifact count table. The report records contain an original Divide-Cut survey report with an additional two copies, as well as various handwritten and typed correspondence regarding draft revisions of the report. The Divide-Cut Section Archaeological Testing and Data Recovery I 1976-1978 archival collection was processed by Ryan Brewer, Edward Covington, Michael James, Marquita Kitchen, Ryan McLay, Benjamin Nay, and Christopher Welch.

Most documents displayed natural signs of aging, such as yellowing or other forms of discoloration. Documents were stabilized and preserved through cleaning and mending practices using Absorene, vulcanized rubber sponges, and other methods. Some documents contained creases or dog-eared corners which necessitated flattening by mechanical tools. A small number of metal contaminants were removed, but oxidization was not noted to be a major concern. Adhesive tape on draft memoranda was not removed, as the paper was of a type that would be damaged by removal.

There were two oversized documents contained within the collection. They include a ten page file of cluster analysis data and a table of lithic artifact counts and weights by site number. These documents were scanned and stored digitally, then removed from their original folders and placed in oversized storage.

A small number of photographs were present. No photograph logs were present, so only information visible in images was recorded. Also, what was originally thought to be one roll of artifact photography for use in the report was discovered to be two partial rolls.

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): US Army Corps of Engineers Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, St. Louis District

Principal Investigator(s): Robert Thorne

Landowner(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District

Sponsor(s): US Army Corps of Engineers Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, St. Louis District

Repository(s): University of Georgia, Laboratory of Archaeology, Athens, Georgia

Prepared By(s): Veterans Curation Program

Submitted To(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District

Record Identifiers

Contract No.(s): DACW-62-76-C-0192

Notes

General Note: The digital materials in this collection were processed by the Veterans Curation Program (VCP) and include the finding aid, original investigation report, oversized material spreadsheet, photographic material spreadsheet, scanned asset key, and select archival photographs. Additional digital materials held by the VCP include additional archival photographs, administrative files, archives database, box inventory, box labels, correspondence, document folder listing, draft record, initial data collection, notes, oversized document labels, photographic materials label, photographic materials spreadsheet, photographic slide labels, and a records removal sheet. For additional information on these materials, refer to the Finding Aid.

File Information