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

The concentration of fire of the larger weapons at Locus F is interpreted as incoming Patriot fire (Colonel
Clarke’s men firing at Major Spurgeon’s men). The firing pattern in Locus D is somewhat more dispersed
compared to Locus F. This may indicate that Spurgeon’s men had bunched up during their final rally on the
battlefield. The more scattered pattern at Locus D may indicate that Pickens' advance troops were
dispersed. Interestingly, Locus B, which is the presumed location where Colonels Pickens and Boyd had a
heated exchange for about an hour, larger balls are extremely rare. This may be due in part to heavy relic
collector activity in this part of the battlefield.
The spatial distribution of lead balls smaller than .50 caliber is shown in Figure 38b. Clusters are apparent
in Loci B, D and F and isolated examples are scattered elsewhere in the study area. Locus B has a dramatic
increase in smaller lead balls, particularly when compared to the paucity of larger balls, as discussed
earlier. Locus D has fewer small balls, compared to large balls. This may indicate that the weapons fired
toward Locus D were not rifles but were smoothbore muskets. Locus F has two clusters of smaller balls and
their spatial distribution essentially overlaps the distribution of larger balls. This suggests that the weapons
fired toward Locus F included both rifles and smoothbore muskets. The distribution of smaller balls in
Locus B is more dispersed than in Locus F. This suggests a scattered pattern of troops in Locus B, whereas
the “targets” in Locus F, that is Loyalist militia, were more concentrated.
Figure 38. Comparison of Bullet Distribution, Kettle Creek (A. Bullets .50 caliber or Greater; B.
Bullets less than .50 caliber).
Obtaining Lead. Since most of the recovered objects that are most likely associated with the Kettle Creek
battle were lead, we explored the topic of lead and its geology, mining, and distribution in the American
Revolutionary War period. A logical next phase of the research at Kettle Creek may include characterizing
the lead objects through scientific means, so that lead balls may be linked to geological sources.
Lead was a vital military commodity for both opposing armies in the Revolution. Lead was actively mined
in both America and the British Isles decades before the American Revolution began. Lead is a metallic
element that is found in metamorphic rocks. Lead does not typically occur in its pure form, but is usually
associated with galena rocks. Copper, galena, gold, silver and zinc often co-occur in areas where lead is
mined. Lead required smelting from the ore to extract it in a pure form. Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal, which in
its unstable forms, leads to neurological damage in humans. In the 18 th century lead had several uses in
addition to its obvious use as ammunition. Lead was used in the manufacture of printing type, paints,
ceramic glazes, crystal glass, and lead cames (to secure glass panes in windows). It was also used in
150