Undergraduate archaeology students from SMSU place
color flags next to stone and pottery artifacts on the surface of the James River stain site
that was investigated during the summer of 1974. The surface distribution of artifacts
from the stain site and several village sites were analyzed using various
statistical and graphic computer programs.
Amateur archaeologists had recorded over 100 archaeological
sites in the James River Valley of Webster County (headwaters), Greene County, Christian County, and
Stone County (mouth of the river where it joins with the White River). Crews from the University
of Missouri - Columbia had worked on a few sites at the mouth of the James River because they
were destroyed by the construction of Table Rock Reservoir by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Youthgrants in the Humanities awarded a grant of $10.230 to Southwest Missouri State
University during the summer of 1974 to carry out the James River Basin Archaeological Project.
Michael J. Fuller served as project direct with assistance from faculty supervisors
Professor John Northrip and Dr. Gerrit tenZythoff. The summer project undertook excavations at
several prehistoric sites (23GR10, 23GR303, and 23WB60). The project also included a detailed
site survey and ecological survey in Webster and Greene Counties, Missouri.
Most sites in the James River Valley yield stone
tools typical of the Woodland Period. Only a few sites yielded Mississippian artifacts.
The James River "stain site" (23GR120) is a burnt Late Woodland/Mississippi Period farmstead.
Directly across from it
was a low burial mound that was excavated by Professors Lee Douthit and James Price. The
distribution of stone tools and pottery sherds on the surface of the site were mapped by
the undergraduate students that ran the James River Basin Archaeological Project. The
stain site is one of the very few sites that yielded surface pottery sherds in the drainage.
The James River stain site could actually be recognized on infared aerial photographs
taken by Michael Fuller.
James River Stain site in regular photography.
Testing was not done at the James River Site but at
a nearby site called Lime Kiln spring (23GR303). A radiocarbon date from this site is
750+/-105 B.P. which equals AD 1200 +/- 105 (UGa886).
Small arrowpoints from 23GR341 near 23GR303.
San Patrice pt. (?) left and two biface preforms from
23GR341 near 23GR303.
Late Archaic basal notched point like a Smith point
(left) and two corner notched points (center and right) from 23GR341 near 23GR303.
Two Archaic Side-Notched points (left and center)
and a Folsom point (right) in a private collection from 23CN56.
23GR120.
Early Archaic Graham Cave Notched point from
23GR120.
Early Archaic Rice Lobed point from
23GR117.
Pitkin Chert artifacts found at various sites in
the James River Valley. The source of this distinctive chert is over 100 miles west of
the James River valley.
Full grooved axe from 23GR138.
Damaged full grooved axe from James River valley.
Macrophotograph of the damaged axe blade.
Horizontal scratahces are from use while vertical scratches are from manufacture.
Aerial photograph take by Michael Fuller of the
excavation units at the Patterson Spring Site. The Patterson Spring Site
was situated along the Finley River (a tributary)
of the James River. It was discovered by two amateur archaeologists (Betty Jane Turner and Jeep Helm)
and they directed its survey and excavation with assistance provided by Professor Robert Cooley
and Michael Fuller.
Yes, the Patterson Spring site was discovered as a result
of erosion from a pig farm! Archaeologists (right to left) Mike Gilmore, Stan Meyer, ?, Roberta Wilson.
A narrow test trench was excavated by the James River
Basin Archaeological Project into a small rockshelter (23WB60) in the headwaters of the
James River drainage. Two radiocarbon dates were obtained from Horizon 3 in the cave. Charcoal
from one firepit yielded a C-14 dates of 775+/-70 B.P. equal to AD 1175 +/- 70
(UGa-887). A second
firepit yielded a C-14 date of 760+/-70 B. P. equal to AD 1190+/-60 (UGa-888).
Colored flags are placed next to fragments of artifacts
and butchered animal bones including deer (Odocoileus virginianus),
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), and bear. Deer remains (maximum of 7 animals)
represent 39% of the faunal sample, while rabbit (maximum of 5 animals) accounts for 28% of
the identifiable bones.
Another aspects of the James River Archaeological Project was
the identification and testing of historic archaeological sites associated with the early and mid
19th century lead mining industry along Pearson Creek. The result of this work was the nomination
of the Pearson Creek Historic district. Many of the sites were destroyed during the 1980s by
subdivision expansion on the east side of Springfield.