Stirring Up a Hornet's Nest: - UGA Laboratory of Archaeology ...

an animal pen that was maintained by one of the property owners, or it possibly relates to the Civil War
refugees who drove their livestock to this remote area for protection during Sherman’s “March to the Sea,”
as related by Bowen (Hays 1950). While it is an interesting part of the Kettle Creek story, Locus H
provided very few clues about the battle itself.
Locus I
Locus I was positioned on the southeast side of the study area (north of Kettle Creek) that contained a
scatter of early historic artifacts, which probably represents a domestic house site. A small sample of 26
artifacts was collected, which indicate an early to middle 19 th century date for this site. Artifacts include
creamware and pearlware ceramics, clothing items, and a wrought nail. The approximate center point of
the artifact scatter is at grid point 9144N, 5791E. This dwelling may have existed at the time of the Kettle
Creek battle, although it was certainly occupied for many decades after the war. It may have important
archeological deposits relating to the post-war land use and culture in the study area. No battle-related
artifacts were located in this vicinity. This locus received only a cursory examination and additional study
of this area is recommended.
Locus J
Locus J lay on the eastern end of the study area and contained a scatter of nine early historic artifacts,
which probably represents a domestic house site. Artifacts were collected over a recent timber clear-cut
area approximately 5 m in diameter. The center of the artifact scatter was at grid point 9989N, 5839E. The
deposit was very sparse but sufficient to indicate that an occupation was formerly present at this location.
The artifacts included creamware and pearlware ceramics and wrought iron scrap. The artifact collection
from Locus J was too small for an accurate age assessment but it can be approximately dated to the late 18 th
to very early 19 th centuries. It may represent a house that was standing at the time of the Kettle Creek
battle, or it may date slightly later. No battle debris was found in this vicinity.
Locus K
Upslope from Locus C is a sizeable house site (Locus K), which dates to the 19 th and possibly early 20 th
centuries. That locality contained abundant debris but its recent age rendered the metal detector search for
early items ineffective. This house site may cap a deposit of earlier artifacts that relate to the battle but
more study, including additional test units or systematic shovel testing, are necessary to accurately define
this portion of the battlefield. A sample of 18 artifacts was uncovered in Locus K and of these, only one
was in the Arms Group. That lone arms artifact find was a chewed lead ball, which may post-date the
Revolutionary War period. Since the abundant, more recent later artifacts may be masking 18 th century
deposits, the metal detecting survey strategy was not cost-effective in this portion of the study area. The
boundary between Loci C and K was arbitrarily defined, as the two occupation areas merge. More study of
Locus K, using other survey and testing techniques, may prove fruitful. Such work was beyond the scope of
the present study.
Locus L
Locus L is a historic house site situated on the northern limit of the study area. This house site probably
dates prior to the 20 th century but it was not fully investigated. The site was located by preliminary
reconnaissance and was not revisited during the project. No artifacts were unearthed in this vicinity,
although numerous metal “hits” were registered in the preliminary reconnaissance. Project resources did
not allow further investigation of this locus, so its relevance to the Kettle Creek battlefield remains to be
fully understood.
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