Submitted by Tony Shore (President-Blue Ridge Archaeology Guild)

On October 6, 8, and 13 of 2010, Blue Ridge Archaeological Guild members assisted Becky Bruce-Vaughters (US Forest Service archaeologist) and Dr. Jack Wynn (US Forest Service archaeologist, retired) in conducting shovel tests, metal detection, and artifact collections at two historical sites near the shoreline of beautiful Nottley Lake in Blairsville, Georgia.

BRAG members present the first day were (L-R): Hugh Wilke, Becky Bruce-Vaughters, Beni Gail and Sherman Head, Cliff Shaw, Susanne and Tony Shore. Dr. Jack Wynn is the advisor for the chapter

The first site worked is named Double Chimney. Its site archaeological site number is 9UN606. Early twentieth century iron artifacts were recovered on site along with a Native American (Morrow Mountain) projectile point that was found under the house foundation.

Beni Gail Head, Becky Bruce-Vaughters, Hugh Wilkie, and Dr. Jack Wynn work the dirt at the Double Chimney site!

One side of the Double Chimney at 9UN606. This isolated home site probably dates to the early 20th Century

Another site tested by the Blue Ridge Archaeological Guild, 9UN40, was adjacent to an access road that led to the lake. LindyCraps and Jessee Burnette, anthropology students of Dr. Terry Powis at Kennesaw State University assisted with the shovel tests and collections.

Second day testing near Nottely Lake were Jessie Crapps and Lindy Burnette, with Cliff Shaw and Susanne Shore in the background

Lithic scatter surveys and shovel tests were conducted on the National Forest land above the Corp of Engineers boundary of Lake Nottely on October 13, 2010. These sites were approached by canoe, to save a lot of walking. This novel transportation added to the fun of the fieldwork for the day.

Cliff Shaw and Becky Bruce-Vaughters paddle between sites. It is tough work, but somebody has to do it!

Posted online on Friday, December 17th, 2010