Archeological Testing in the Stonewall Jackson Reservoir Lewis County West Virginia

Summary

In early June 1974 a five-man field crew from the Archeology Section of the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey carried out a systematic program of archeological testing in the basin of the proposed Stonewall Jackson Reservoir in North-Central West Virginia. A total of twelve archeological sites was investigated, including nine which were previously reported by Ralph Solecki. (1949), and three which were discovered by the testing crew (Fig. 1). The field crew consisted of Amy D. Ayers, James Califf, Douglas Hulbert, and Beth Jamieson. All testing was completed by August 9th, and preliminary analysis of the cultural materials recovered during the course of the project was initiated.

The primary impetus for this project was the proposed construction of the Stonewall Jackson Dam, a combination flood control and recreation project was under consideration by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A preliminary examination of the test area was carried out in 1948 by Ralph Solecki as part of the Smithsonian Institution's River Basin Survey Project. He reported the existence of a substantial number of prehistoric sites at various locations throughout the reservoir area. Basing his recommendations on surface examinations only, he stated that most of the sites in the region did not require further examination or testing.

In 1973 a re evaluation of Solecki's collection revealed the existence of several projectile point types which have been classified and dated in the years since the original survey report appeared. A number of these artifacts appeared to be of Archaic age and indicated a need for further work in the area. Consequently, Bettye J. Broyles of the Archeology Section visited the area and relocated all of Solecki's original sites. In view of the impending inundation of these sites and apparent antiquity of the few artifacts known from the area, a testing 2 and salvage, proposal was submitted to the National Park Service. The present work was carried out under the funding of National Park Service contract number CX-4000-4-0037.

In addition to the goal of conducting subsurface testing of previously located sites in this area, two other project aims were set out. These included the generation of data which would facilitate the establishment of a regional chronology for this part of the state, and which would place this part of the state in the larger context of adjacent regions and complexes. These goals have been met, at least in part, with the result that the present report will present new data on chronology and settlement patterns in the study area.

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

Contributor(s): West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Archeology Section

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

Sponsor(s): National Park Service

Repository(s): Archaeological Collections Facility, Grave Creek Mound Historic Site

Prepared By(s): West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Archeology Section

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

Record Identifiers

Contract No.(s): CX-4000-4-0037

Notes

General Note: The digital materials in this collection were processed by the Veterans Curation Program (VCP), and include artifact photographs, archives database, archival photographs, artifact catalog, artifact report, finding aid, original investigation report, over-sized material spreadsheet, and photographic material spread sheet. Additional digital materials held by the VCP include a budget document, correspondence, feature records, maps, memorandums, notes, photo log, print records, preliminary archaeological survey, project document, site survey record, a time sheet and artifact photographs. For additional information on these materials, refer to the finding aid.

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