Metal Detecting Survey at Beech Grove Confederate Encampment

Summary

One methodology used during the Beech Grove investigations was metal detecting, conducted by professional archaeologists and metal detector hobbyists working together.  The detecting resulted in the recovery of numerous artifacts, clustered in four main concentrations (A-D).  The artifacts recovered included machine cut nails/nail fragments, cast iron kettle/dutch oven fragments, horseshoe nails, horse/mule shoes, chain fragments, ammunition, melted lead, kitchen/table utensils, wire, strap bands for boxes, gun parts, pocket knife fragments, harness buckles, rivets, curry comb fragments, miscellaneous hardware, and unidentified iron/steel fragments.  Two particularly interesting artifacts were a brass photograph mat, and a flintlock frisson. Areas A and B yielded metal artifacts to suggest that supplies were distributed here, and Area A yielded more horse and/or mule metal artifacts, suggesting presence of wagons, cavalry or quartermaster stores.  The metal detecting data was also used in conjunction with historical information to identity the most likely troops encamped at the four areas.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Beech Grove, Kentucky: Investigation and Interpretation of an Early Confederate Encampment   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 254