In early 2020 the LAMAR Institute was contracted by the Historic Savannah Foundation to conduct limited archaeological research in advance of construction at the Kennedy Pharmacy lot located at the corner of Broughton and Habersham Streets in Savannah, Georgia. Our team began its study of the Kennedy Pharmacy property, just as the COVID Pandemic was raging. We conducted GPR survey on the available areas of the lot. Then we excavated two 2 meter by 1 meter test units on tempting targets indicated by the GPR survey and by our historical research effort. While this was only a tiny sample of the lot, these two tests revealed many important facts about the property. Our historical research, which got a little out of hand during the pandemic, expanded our knowledge of the early pharmacies of Savannah and the Chinese laundries. All of these great stories are contained in our research report, available at:
Archive for February, 2023
Chinese Laundries in Savannah and et cetera
February 10, 2023
Search for Washington, Georgia
February 10, 2023
The LAMAR Institute began a search for the Revolutionary War period Fort Washington just as the COVID Pandemic began. Our team conducted historical research, GPR survey, metal detection survey, shovel test survey and limited test excavations in search of this important military site. The fort was built in what would later become the town of Washington, Georgia. It was associated with the Heard family, and possibly others. Wilkes County was a hotbed of Patriot fervor in the American Revolution, and Fort Washington was one place where the Patriots assembled. No battle is recorded at this fort, although it may have been destroyed by a Loyalist Creek Indian raid. While our search was not successful in locating the fort, we did make many exciting discoveries that reveal the archaeological potential in downtown Washington. This was the first serious archaeological study in the town, so our findings carry significant weight. This study is documented in the following report:
Rock Walls on a Mountain
February 10, 2023
The LAMAR Institute was hired to survey a unique property in the South Carolina mountains during the spring of 2022. This was the Rocky Bottom Walls Site in Pickens County. The site was first recorded by Tommy Charles, who recognized the rarity and importance of the site. In early 2022, the property was purchased by the Naturaland Trust to become part of a natural heritage preserve. Our task was to map the rock walls that dominate this landscape and to perform a cursory exploration of them to ascertain their age and function. For this task, we enlisted the aid of noted rock art/rock pile specialist Jannie Loubser. Jannie, P.T. Ashlock, and I conducted the survey project. Our efforts are detailed in a LAMAR Institute report, located here:
Two big cemetery GPR studies
February 10, 2023
From October 2021 to August 2022 the LAMAR Institute GPR team (Dan and Rita Elliott) were engaged in surveying the dead in two large cemeteries in coastal Georgia. Reports on both projects are available on the LAMAR Institute’s website at these links:
The first was the Richmond Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Port Wentworth, Georgia. This was an African-american cemetery that started in 1913 and continues in use. Our survey located many unknown graves and also documented those with grave markers.The cemetery has its roots in far more ancient Georgia history, however, as the Richmond Plantation dates to the Colonial period and it was awarded to Major General Anthony Wayne by the State of Georgia following the American Revolution in appreciation of General Wayne’s deliverance by military means from the evil rule of King George III in Georgia. Wayne proved to be less skilled in operating a rice plantation than in leading an army, however, so his ownership of the property was relatively brief. The African-american community of enslaved persons, later living in the area as freedmen, maintained a Baptist church throughout the very late 18th through early 21st century. The earliest church was located nearer to the Savannah River. The general locale of Richmond Plantation today is dominated by Interstate 95, and many hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. The historical fabric of the old plantation is threadbare. One glimmer of continuity is the Richmond Missionary Baptist Church, which nearly disappeared from the landscape, but now is experiencing a revival. It was our pleasure to conduct a survey of their cemetery to document those known and unknown in the graveyard. Happy Halloween!
Our next large GPR cemetery survey was conducted in the Union United Methodist Church Cemetery in rural Bulloch County, Georgia. This early Methodist church shares many similarities with the previous church, in that its congregation is composed of persons of advanced age. This church dates back to at least 1790. The present wooden church structure is quite old, but it is probably the third church building to occupy this site. The adjacent cemetery also contains graves dating back to the end of the 18th century, although none of the grave markers attest to this. Our survey located many unknown graves and also documented those with grave markers. Today the church’s congregation is composed of caucasians, but in its earlier years, it welcomed African-americans into the church. The cemetery experienced an extreme “clean up” in the 1970s, where many grave markers were removed. This greatly increased the numbers of unknown graves, which our GPR survey helped to relocate. Despite summer head, it was our pleasure to conduct a survey of their cemetery to document those known and unknown in the graveyard. Such a serene place!
Dan’s Update February 2023
February 10, 2023
Wow, where does the time go? My last Blogpost was more than one year ago. The Pandemic is still hanging around. I still have not caught the COVID, knock on wood, nor has my wife. We seem to be the exception though. Wish us luck.
When I last checked in, we had just finished writing our report on the Ruff’s Mill Civil War battlefield survey project for the National Park Service, American Battlefield Protection Program. This past week we finally delivered the artifact collection for permanent curation to Georgia Southern University, where it will be stored forever in the Bogan facility. Thanks to Matt Compton and his fearless team. I trust that the minie balls, friction primers and shell fragments will have a safe and happy home. Many of the tragic stories that these objects represent are documented in our research report, which is available at the LAMAR Institute’s website. Here are the links:
230. Archeological Search for Ruff’s Mill Battlefield: Linchpin in Atlanta’s Fall. By Daniel T. Elliott, Philip Ivester, and Rita Folse Elliott, 2022. [Contained in 4 parts, due to large size file). Part 1-Chapters 1-3 (109.9 MB); Part 2-Chapters 4-5 (163.4 MB); Part 3-References (32.8 MB); Part 4-Appendices 1-4 (18.2 MB).
Double Quick and Bayonets Fixed: The Battle of Ruff’s Mill. Documentary film by Mark Albertin, Scrapbook Video Productions, LLC, 2022 (38.5 minutes).
It was a pleasure to work on this project. We at the LAMAR Institute, greatly appreciate the contributions and dedication of local landowner Philip Ivester, who planted the seed for this research effort. Thank you Philip and Lanier Ivester for your gracious hospitality and enthusiasm. It was a great way to spend part of the Plague Years.
END OF POST ON RUFF’S MILL, now on the next big thing……
Mister Soapstone 