Finding Aid, Archaeological Survey and Test Excavations in the Burnsville Reservoir 1971-1975

Summary

This collection is referred to as "Archaeological Survey and Test Excavations in the Burnsville Reservoir 1971-1975.” This name is consistent throughout the finding aid, the file folders, and the box labels. The extent of this collection is four (4) linear inches.

The documents from this collection were originally stored with documents from the Burnsville Surface Collection (46BX23) N.D. and the Surficial Archaeology of the Burnsville Reservoir 1977-1980 document collections. The decision was made to process the archival material dating prior to 1975 as a separate collection, as these documents were associated with a separate investigation. In addition, archival material from the corresponding artifact collection was integrated into this document collection. The material was originally stored in labeled, acidic file folders.

The excavations were conducted between 1971 and 1973 and the report dates to 1975, which explains the date range in the project name; however, background documents dating as early as 1967 were included in this investigation. The field records included site survey, excavation, feature, and petroglyph recording forms, and these were organized by site number. Some sites identified in the field records were not noted in the final report. Throughout the field records, the site format varies and often includes a second number in parentheses after the site number. Research using the final report and West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office Graphic Information System revealed that the number in parentheses was the accurate site number and was therefore utilized as the site number in the associated database.

The collection was in overall good condition; however, minor conservation issues were noted and addressed. Metal contaminants, including staples and paper clips, were removed from documents using a microspatula tool. Minor tears were identified throughout the collection and were mended with archival tissue mending tape. Dirt and stains were present on field records and were removed using a vulcanized rubber eraser, when possible. Any folds and creases in documents were flattened with a bone tool. Photographs within the camera ready report copy (scanned asset 2076-0087) were placed in archival sleeves to prevent damage to surrounding pages. Corrective fluid (White-Out) was present throughout the camera-ready report copy and in some cases was dried and flaking from the pages. Acid-free archival tissue paper was placed between report pages when corrective fluid was present to prevent damage to surrounding pages. Two individual pages were included in the back of one of the field notebooks (scanned asset 2076_0078), and these were placed in Mylar to ensure they were not misplaced during handling.

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): Bettye J. Broyles

Landowner(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington 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): Archaeological Collections Facility, Grave Creek Mound Historic Site

Prepared By(s): Veterans Curation Program

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

Record Identifiers

Contract No.(s): CX-4000-3-0031

Notes

General Note: The digital materials in this collection were processed by the Veterans Curation Program (VCP), and includes archival photographs, artifact report, artifact catalog, finding aid, original investigation report, oversized material spreadsheet, photographic material spreadsheet, scanned asset key and select artifact photographs. Additional digital materials held by the VCP include additional artifact photographs, collection map, correspondence, data report, document folder listing, excavation record, feature record, field notes, initial data notes, original investigation report annotated, oversized labels, petroglyph record, site summary and site survey record. For additional information on these materials, refer to the finding aid.

File Information