Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GADNR-2017-1 (submitted: 04/11/2017, status: approved)
Project Type: Research Experience for Undergraduates Research
Application Title
Archaeological Investigations of Bush Camp Field, Behavior, and Chocolate
Investigator Information
| Principal Investigator: | Nicholas Honerkamp | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | ||
| Award Information: | Grant, GA DNR HPD, $4322 | ||
| Mailing Address: | 104 Brock Hall, Dept 2102, 615 McCallie Ave | Phone Number: | 4234889769 |
| E-mail Address: | nick-honerkamp@utc.edu | ||
| Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403 | |||
| Co-investigators: | Lindsey Cochran (University of Tennessee at Knoxville) | ||
Project Abstract
In the summer of 2016 archaeologists with the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (UTC) and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK) carried out survey and testing at the Bush Camp Field (project code 16C) and the directly adjacent Long Tabby Field (16E) as well as the Behavior Site (16D). The overall goals of this effort were to (1) investigate Igbo/Gullah-Geechee settlement patterning during the plantation periods on Sapelo, and (2) use the survey results to provide DNR with data relevant to their cultural resource management responsibilities. These goals remain firmly in place, and to fully achieve them we request carrying out another season of fieldwork during May and June 2017.
Project 1 and 2- Bush Camp Field and Behavior
While the presence of several possible slave cabins was detected last year, we were ultimately hampered by the lack of concordance between cabins depicted on historic maps and the physical remains associated with them; in essence, when ground truthed using shovel test pits (STPs), specific georeferenced cabin sites yielded little in the way of material remains. However, systematic short-interval STP transects were dug in the northwestern portion of the Behavior Site (16F) in December 2016. These transects resulted in more positive results in than those in the earlier (16D) survey (Cochran and Honerkamp 2017).
We propose to continue this shovel testing methodology, continuing excavating 30cm STP's along transects spaced at a 10m interval east and west of the Georgia Power Road continuing south towards Marsh Landing Road. Positive shovel tests will be delineated with double negative shovel tests at 5m intervals in cardinal directions. All fill will be screened through ¼" mesh with 100% cultural artifact collection.
Project 3- Chocolate Plantation
At the request of the state Archaeologist of Georgia (Dr. Brian Tucker), we also propose to investigate a third site: a large tabby structure of unknown function at Chocolate Plantation. Measuring approximately 96 feet by 110 feet, this two-part "mystery structure" is referred to as Structures 1 and 2 by Honerkamp et al. (2007:9). It is distinguished by slotted walls that may have provided ventilation, but such features have no precedent on the coast. It probably functioned as some kind of warehouse (possibly a cotton barn), with a central drive-through for unloading and loading wagons, although this suggestion is entirely speculative. Sapelo matriarch Cornelia Bailey has indicated that there is no Geechee oral history associated with this structure (personal communication, 2007).
Both intriguing buildings will be investigated with a GPR survey followed by groundtruthing results from the remote sensing survey. New South Associates will carry out the GPR survey and provide UTC with the results of their survey, which is expected allow us to target particular features in and around the building for testing. It is anticipated that artifacts and features that are recovered during the testing will shed light on the function(s) and possibly the use date(s) of the buildings, neither of which has been established through documentary or archaeo¬logical research. It is anticipated that the investigation of these targets will require four days of fieldwork for UTC and three days of artifact processing and analysis. If features are recovered, 100% of feature fill will be collected for floatation. All artifacts and project records will be curated at the Waring Laboratory at the University of West Georgia.
We assume that the southern slotted tabby structure was used to store or process agricultural materials, perhaps cotton, tobacco, or indigo. Sediment samples will be taken from three activity areas around Chocolate Plantation: the northern field, directly outside of the structures, and inside A1 and A2 will provide a comparative sample of paleoethnobotanical materials to determine the purpose of the A1. To better understand what organic materials were used and purpose the specialized structure, we request support for the processing of floatation samples. Samples will be floated at the University of Tennessee lab.
Project Location
Bush Camp Field- 3477452N 473419E
Behavior- 3477008N 473463E
Chocolate- 3485146N 475832E
GPS Coordinates for Study Sites
GPS coordinates are listed in the project location field
Expected Start and End Dates of the Project
Start Date: 05/11/2017 End Date: 06/08/2017
Number and Frequency of People Accessing the Site
10 undergraduate students, 1 undergraduate supervisor, 2 PIs
Keywords Describing the Project
Equipment Deployed in the Field
Shovel tests will be excavated with shovels; all fill will be screened through 1/4" or 1/16" mesh. All excavated areas will be fully backfilled, leaving little, if any trace. Cultural materials will be collected and brought to the UTC Institute of Archaeology for processing and analysis, then permanently curated at the Antonio J. Waring Lab.
Plants and Animal Collecting
No.
Likely Impacts of the Project on the Site
Small shovel tests and 1 x 1 meter test units will be excavated at a consistent interval across the sites. As a result, some slight trampling will occur in forested areas due to personnel moving through the woods between shovel tests.
Boardwalk Installation Plans
No; terrestrial project.
Expected persistence of site impacts after the research is concluded?
There will be no long term impacts to the site.