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List of archaeological sites in Tennessee facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Tennessee Division of Archaeology maintains a database of all archaeological sites recorded within the state of Tennessee. As of January 1, 2009 this catalog contains more than 22,000 sites, including both prehistoric and historic resources. In Tennessee, Prehistoric is generally defined as the time between the appearance of the first people in the region (c. 12,000 BC) and the arrival of the first European explorers (c. 1540 AD). The Historic period begins after the arrival of those Europeans and continues to the present. Both these periods are further divided into subperiods and phases using established archaeological conventions for the region.

The following list of archaeological sites in Tennessee encompasses sites that have either contributed substantially or have the potential to contribute substantially to research regarding people who have lived in what is now Tennessee. Note that a historical site is not necessarily an archaeological site. According to the Tennessee Division of Archaeology Site Survey Record, official site numbers are generally assigned to historic sites only if artifacts and/or historic documentation for that site support a pre–1933 date. Historical sites are included in the following list only if archeological field work has been conducted at the site.

The term cultural affiliation refers to the archaeological period when a site was created and/or occupied. Many sites were occupied during more than one archaeological period, and are therefore known as multicomponent. An example of a multicomponent site would be American Civil War earthworks constructed at the same location as a prehistoric Mississippian village. The cultural affiliation category in the list below refers only to periods in which the most significant occupation or event (e.g., a battle) took place at the site.

Archaeological sites recorded in Tennessee are assigned State Trinomials consisting of letter and number combinations that indicate the state and county where the site is found, and includes a sequential number identifying the specific site. For example, the trinomial 40DV11 designates the eleventh archaeological site recorded in Davidson County (DV) , Tennessee (40) .

Legend for cultural affiliations:

  • Paleoindian — roughly 12,000 BC (and possibly earlier) to 8000 BC
  • Archaic — c. 8000 BC to 1000 BC
  • Woodland — c. 1000 BC - 1000 AD
  • Mississippian — c. 900 to 1600 AD
  • Cherokee — affiliated with proto-historic and historic Cherokee occupation (c. 1600-1800)
  • British colonial — affiliated with Euro-American expansion, pre-1776.
  • American — affiliated with Euro-American occupation or events post-1776

The sites are listed alphabetically by county.

Anderson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Lost Ridge Site 40AN1 Woodland, Mississippian 1960
University of Tennessee Farm Site 40AN2 Archaic, Mississippian 1960
Brushy Valley Site 40AN3 1960
Holt Site 40AN4 1961
County Farm/Braden Branch Site 40AN5 1960
Worthington Branch Site 40AN6
Freels Bend Site 40AN8 1960
Hawkins Cave Site 40AN14 1934
Johnson Farm Site 40AN15 Mississippian 1934
Taylor Farm Site 40AN16 1934
Lea Farm Site 40AN17 1934
Cox Mound/Cox Village Site 40AN19 Mississippian 1934/1960
Bull Bluff Site 40AN20 Woodland, Mississippian, Historic 1961
Crawford Farm Mound 40AN21 Woodland 1938
Freels Farm Mounds 40AN22 Woodland 1934
Freels Cabin Site 40AN28 American pioneer 1977 DOE-owned
Carden Farm Site 40AN44 1990
Eagle Bend Site 40AN45 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN46 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN47 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN48 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN49 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN50 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN51 1986
Eagle Bend Site 40AN52 1986
Clinton Site 40AN74 Woodland 1990s

Bedford County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Owl Hollow/Raus Site 40BD46 1975 Submerged
Hendrixson Site 40BD47 1973 Submerged
Unnamed Site 40BD50 1975-1976
Shoffner Site 40BD55 Woodland 1975 Submerged
Unnamed Site 40BD75 1973
Unnamed Site 40BD123 Historic 1974-1975

Benton County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
General Surface and Shovel Tests 40BN1 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
General Surface Collection 40BN2 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
Danville Ferry Site 40BN3 Mississippian 1940 Submerged
Sulphur Creek Site 40BN7 1940 Submerged
Harmon's Creek Site 40BN8 1940
Shoreline Surface 40BN10 1992
Thomas Site 40BN11 Mississippian 1990
Eva Site 40BN12 Archaic 1940 Submerged
Bridges Site 40BN13 1941 Submerged
Unnamed Site 40BN14 1980
Unnamed Site 40BN16 1980
West Cuba Landing Site 40BN17 1941
Prevatt's/Pravatts Site 40BN20 1915
Odle Site 40BN23 1941
Ledbetter Site 40BN25 Archaic 1940
Lick Creek Site 40BN30 Mississippian 1940 Submerged
Stockdale Site 40BN32 Woodland, Mississippian 1940, 1990
Gatewood Site 40BN47 Mississippian 1940
Frazier Site 64BN59 1941
Young's Landing Site 40BN60 1941
Earp Site 40BN68 1941
Cherry Site 40BN74 1941
McDaniel Site 40BN77 1941
TVA General Survey 40BN123 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN124 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN125 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN129 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1992
TVA Shoreline Survey 40BN125 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN132 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN134 Indeterminate Historical 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN135 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA Shoreline Survey 40BN141 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Historic 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN142 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1992
TVA General Survey 40BN150 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN151 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
General Surface Collection 40BN152 Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN153 Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN154 Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN155 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN156 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN157 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN158 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN159 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN160 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN161 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN162 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN164 Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN165 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN166 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN167 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN168 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN169 Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN171 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN172 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN173 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN174 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN175 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN177 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN177 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN178 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN179 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN177 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN178 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN177 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN178 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN179 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN180 Indeterminate Prehistoric, Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN181 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN182 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN183 Indeterminate Historic 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN184 Woodland 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN185 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN186 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
TVA General Survey 40BN188 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1990
Carson-Conn-Short Site 40BN190 Paleoindian 1990s
TVA General Survey 40BN191 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN192 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN193 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN194 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN195 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN198 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN199 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN224 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991
TVA General Survey 40BN225 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1991

Bledsoe County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Hemphill Cemetery Site 40BS31 Late 19th-Early 20th century 1986
H. H. Beach Cemetery Site 40BS32 ca. 1865 1986
Cemetery Site 40BS33 Historic 1986
Gilbert Gaul House Site 40BS34 Late 19th-Early 20th century 1986
Newton's Ford and Stave Mill Site 40BS35 Late 19th-Early 20th century 1986
Lewis Keedy House Site 40BS36 Mid-Late 19th century 1986

Blount County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Prater Site 40BT2 1942
Chilhowee 40BT7 Cherokee 1950s Submerged
Tallassee 40BT8 Cherokee 1955-1957 Submerged
Peter Cable Complex 40BT34 American pioneer National park
40BT47 Woodland, Mississippian c. 1990
John Oliver Complex 40BT55 American pioneer 1980s National park
Kinzel Springs Site 40BT89 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee 1999–2001
Apple Barn Site 40BT90 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee 1999–2001
Pony Ride Site 40BT91 Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee, American 1999–2001
Gas Company Site 40BT94 Woodland 1999–2001
Sparks Bottom Site 40BT129 Archaic, Woodland National park
Chestnut Flats 40BT133 Archaic, American pioneer National park
Spence Field 40BT138 National park
Indian Grave Gap 40BT140 National park
Gregory Cave 40BT141 Woodland, Mississippian National park

Bradley County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Rymer Site 40BY11 Mississippian 1937
Ledford Island 40BY13 Mississippian 1938-1939
Candy Creek 40BY14 Woodland 1939
Rymer Site 40BY15 Mississippian 1937
Varnell 40BY18 Woodland 1939
Chatata

Campbell County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Heatherly Stone Mounds 40CP1 Woodland 1934
Bowman Farm Site 40CP2 Mississippian 1934
Saltpeter Cave 40CP3 Woodland 1934
McCarty Farm 40CP4 1934
Irvin Village 40CP5 Mississippian 1934
Richardson Farm 40CP8 1934
Harris Farm Site 40CP9 Mississippian 1934
Wallace Cave 40CP12 1934
Bullock Cave 40CP13 1934
Fincastle Site 40CP19
Chambers Creek Shelter Site 40CP20 1951

Cannon County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Mountain Creek Survey 40CN1 Archaic 1963
Mountain Creek Survey 40CN2 Archaic 1963
Mountain Creek Survey 40CN3 Archaic, Woodland 1963
Hoover-Beeson Rockshelter 40CN4 1963

Carroll County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Chandler Site 40CL64 Woodland 1991
Glisson Site 40CL65 Archaic 1991

Carter County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Fudd-Campbell Site 40CR3 Woodland 1962, 1980-1981

Cheatham County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Pack Site 40CH1 Mississippian 1936
Woodard Mound 40CH3 Woodland 1936
Mound Bottom 40CH8 Woodland, Mississippian 1936, 1940 State archaeological site
Mound Bottom 40CH10 1936, 1940
Mound Bottom 40CH11 State archaeological site
Ashland Bridge Site 40CH73 1983-1984
Patterson Forge 40CH87 American industry State park

Chester County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Pierce Site 40CS24a Paleo-Indian 1970s

Claiborne County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Ausmus Farm 40CE10 1934
Ausmus Cave 40CE20 Mississippian 1934
Cheek Site 40CE28 Archaic, Woodland
Doug Young Site 40CE56 Woodland
Essary Site 40CE40 Archaic
Tazewell Fortification 40CE109

Clay County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Stardust Sites I-III 40CY63-65 Archaic, Woodland 2001

Cocke County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Dutch Bottom Site 40CK4
Ranklin Site 40CK6 Archaic, Woodland 1960
Del Rio Site 40CK7 Woodland 1968
Bible Site 40CK11 Woodland 1966
Swaggerty Blockhouse 40CK201 American pioneer/American agricultural 2001 Private property

Coffee County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Old Stone Fort 40CF1 Woodland 1966 State Park
Hickerson Site 40CF2 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1971-1975
Powers IV 40CF3 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1971-1975
Powers V 40CF4 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1971-1975
Parks Site 40CF5 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1966-1967, 1971-1975
York Site 40CF10 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972-1975
Eoff I/Neal I 40CF32 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973, 1975
Banks I 40CF34 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972, 1974-1975
Nowlin II 40CF35 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972, 1974-1975
Jernigan I 40CF36 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1974
Jernigan II 40CF37 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973-1974
Neel II 40CF40 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972
Rhoton Cave 40CF46 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972
Riddle Site 40CF59 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973, 1975
Hicks I 40CF62 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972-1973
Boyd I 40CF68 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973
Aaron Shelter 40CF69 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1975
Sterling Shelter 40CF73 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973
Davidson Branch 40CF74 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973-1974
Wiser I 40CF80 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1977
Wiser-Stephens I 40CF81 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973, 1975, 1976
Blanton III 40CF82 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1975
Richardson-Soesbe 40CF88 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973-1974
Duke I 40CF97 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973, 1975
Barton Site 40CF102 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972
Anthony Site II 40CF104 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973-1974
Eoff III 40CF107 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973
Bank III 40CF108 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1972-1973
Banks V 40CF111 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973-1974
Banks II 40CF113 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1973-1974
Ewell III 40CF118 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1974
Cascade Distillery Site 40CF237 American industry

Crockett County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Unnamed Camp Site 40CT9 Archaic 1985
Unnamed Camp Site 40CT10 Archaic 1985

Cumberland County

Davidson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Buchi Site 40DV1 1936
Hermann SIAS#96 40DV2 1972
Noel Stone-Grave Cemetery/Cain's Chapel 40DV3 1981
East Nashville Mounds 40DV4 Mississippian 1868, 1992
French Lick 40DV5 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1821, 1860s, 1880s, 1992, 2014 Mississippian features partially excavated during construction of First Tennessee Ball Park in 2014. Parts of the site are intact.
Widemeier Site 40DV9 Paleo-Indian, Archaic
Traveller's Rest 40DV11 Mississippian
West Site 40DV12 Mississippian 1964-1970
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV18 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV19 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV20 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV21 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV22 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV23 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV24 1963
J. Percy Priest Survey Site 40DV25 1963
Prison Farm "B" 40DV35 Archaic, Mississippian 1969
Brick Church Pike Site 40DV39 Mississippian 1878, 1969, 1973
Brick Church Mound and Village Site 40DV39 Mississippian 1877, 1969, 1971-2001 Destroyed for residential development
First American Cave, Regions Center (Nashville) 40DV40 Ice Age fauna, Woodland 1971
The Hermitage 40DV100 American plantation Museum
The Ensworth School 40DV184 Paleoindian, Archaic, Mississippian 2003 Destroyed
Kelley's Battery 40DV392 Mississippian, American military
Drennon Site 40DV447 Archaic, Woodland
Hermitage Springs 40DV551 Archaic, Woodland

DeKalb County

Decatur County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Oak View Landing Site 40DR1 1941
Hog Creek Site 40DR2 Woodland 1941
TVA General Survey Site 40DR3 1991
Burton's Landing Site 40DR1 Woodland 1941
TVA General Survey Site 40DR8 1991
Carrington Site 40DR11 Woodland 1941
TVA General Survey Site 40DR14 1991
TVA General Survey Site 40DR15 1991
Burnt Under Bridge Site 40DR17 1941
Lower Sellpaws Site 40DR25 1941
Sam Gotham Site 40DR26 1941
West Britt's Landing Site 40DR43 Woodland 1941
Burton's Spring Site 40DR62 1941
Beech River Site 40DR69 1966
Beech River Site 40DR70 1966

Dickson County

Dyer County

Fayette County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Ames Plantation Site 40FY2 Historic 1963, 1969
Lucky 7 Site 40FY436 Woodland

Fentress County

Franklin County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Owl Hollow 40FR7 Woodland 1966 Submerged
Mason Site 40FR8 Archaic, Woodland 1966 Submerged
Rollins I Site 40FR9 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Rollins II Site 40FR10 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Hopkins Site 40FR11 Archaic, Woodland 1966 Submerged
Willis Lake Bridge I Site 40FR12 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Brickyard Site 40FR13 Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1966-1967 Submerged
Willis Lake Bridge II Site 40FR14 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Willis Lake Bridge III Site 40FR15 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Tucker Rock Shelter 40FR16 Archaic, Woodland 1966 Submerged
Wiseman Cave Site 40FR17 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1966 Submerged
Spencer I Site 40FR18 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Spencer II Site 40FR19 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Grammer Site 40FR20 Woodland 1966 Submerged
Anderson Site 40FR27 Paleoindian, Archaic 1966 Submerged
Wiseman Shelter Site 40FR37 1966 Submerged
Petersburg Site 40FR42 Archaic 1966 Submerged
Salvage Site 40FR47 Woodland 1970 Submerged
Griffin Rockshelter Site 40FR151 Woodland, Mississippian 1974

Gibson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Unnamed Site 40GB41 Paleoindian 1991
Blackmore Mound 40GB42 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1991

Giles County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Parker's Pasture 40GL25 Mississippian
Elk River Fortification 40GL54 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, American military (Civil War) None Private
Johnson May Site 40GL85 Woodland

Grainger County

Greene County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Camp Creek Site 40GN1 Archaic, Woodland 1956-1957
Lick Creek Site 40GN2 Woodland
Surface Survey Site 40GN3
Surface Survey Site 40GN4
Surface Survey Site 40GN5
Ebenezer Site 40GN6 Woodland 1956, 1967
Chiaha Site 40GN9
Wilhoite Site 40GN10
Yellow House Site 40GN11
Davy Crockett Birthplace 40GN12 Woodland, American pioneer 1977 State park
Birdwell Site 40GN228 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian
Neas Site 40GN229 Archaic, Woodland
Samuel Doak Plantation 40GN257 American pioneer

Grundy County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Ravens Cliff Site 40GY3
Testing Provenience Site 40GY11 1973
Testing Provenience Site 40GY14 1973

Hamblen County

Hamilton County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Dallas Island 40HA1 Woodland, Mississippian 1930s Submerged
Davis Site 40HA2 1936
Hixon Site 40HA3 Mississippian 1930s
Sale Creek Site 40HA10 1937
LeCroy Site 40HA43 Mississippian 1940s, 1950s
Moccasin Bend 40HA63 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1964 National Archaeological District, part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
MacLellan Island 40HA64 Archaic, Woodland Owned by Audubon Society
Citico 40HA65 Mississippian 1915; 1979 Threatened with housing development
Audubon Acres 40HA84 Mississippian Owned by Audubon Society
Vulcan Archaeological Site 40HA140 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian
Hampton Place Archaeological Site 40HA146 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian Part of Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District, part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Mallards Dozen Archaeological Site 40HA147 Archaic, Woodland part of Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District, part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
David Davis Site 40HA301 Mississippian 2008 Destroyed for industrial development; location of material collected unknown
Woodland Mound Archaeological District Woodland on state property

Hancock County

Hardeman County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Davis Bridge Battlefield 40HM106 American military

Hardin County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Swallow Bluff Island Mounds 40HR16 Mississippian 2003 Private
Shiloh Battlefield Site 40HR179 American military national military park
Shiloh Indian Mounds Woodland, Mississippian National historic landmark

The Holliston Mills site, a Mississippian town in Upper East Tennessee, is located on the north bank of the Holston River south of Kingsport in Hawkins County, Tennessee. The site was excavated by members of the Tennessee Archaeological Society between 1968 and 1972. It was excavated in ten-foot blocks using six-inch levels, revealing a large late prehistoric (and perhaps protohistoric) town represented by at least two palisades, more than 660 burials, a large public structure, and several smaller domestic structures. The excavators initially reported the recovery of what they believed to be Cobb Island pottery in the plow zone and much Dallas material from the level excavations, but they also noted that the site had been looted prior to their excavations. There is little, if any, Cobb Island pottery, but there are some Pisgah ceramics.

Hawkins County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Holliston Mills Site 40HW11 Mississippian 1968-1972

Haywood County

Henderson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Parker's Crossroads Battlefield 40HE118 American military

Henry County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Williams Site 40HY1 1939
Centerville Landing Site 40HY4 1939
Thompson Village 40HY5 Woodland, Mississippian 1939
McAdoo Site 40HY10 Archaic, Woodland 1939
Kays Landing Site 40HY13 1940
Obion Mounds 40HY14 Mississippian 1940
Big Sandy Site 40HY18 1940

Hickman County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Gordon Site Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Woodland
Oldroy Site 40HI131 Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Woodland
Mayberry Site 40HI133 Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Woodland

Houston County

Humphreys County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Slayden Site 40HS1 Mississippian 1935
Bone Site 40HS2 1935
Rice Site 40HS3 Mississippian 1935
Link Farm Site 40HS6 Mississippian 1936, 1963
Patterson Site 40HS12 Mississippian 1942
Hobbs Site 40HS60 Mississippian 1942
Nuckolls Site 40HS60 Paleo-Indian
Johnsonville Site 40HS159 Historic 1982-1984
Fairchance Furnace Site 40HS168 American industry
Johnsonville Battlefield American military State park

Jackson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Fort Blount 40JK125 American frontier, Middle Woodland 1989–1994
Austin Peay Bridge Site 40JK129 Archaic
Moore Bottom 40JK145 Archaic

Jefferson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Fains Island Site 40JE1 Mississippian 1935
Zimmerman's Island Site 40JE2 Mississippian 1942 Submerged
Indian Walk Shoals Site 40JE9
McBee Mound/Loy Site 40JE10 1980-1990
Taylor Bend Site 40JE25 Archaic 1973
Taylor Bend Site 40JE26 Archaic 1973
Strawberry Plains Fortification Site 40JE41-44 American military

Johnson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Wagner Island Site 40JN89 1984
Wagner Island Site 40JN90 1984
Lake Hole Cave 40JN159 Mississippian 1990s National forest

Knox County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Copper Ridge 40KN2 1961
Looney Island Village Midden 40KN4 1961
Henson Spring Branch 40KN5 Woodland 1951
Blow's Bend 40KN9 Woodland 1958, 1966
Surface Collection 40KN10 Woodland 1966
Grant Island 40KN11 1914, 1942
Cox Island 40KN12 1914, 1964
Topside Tip 40KN13 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1952
Little River Shoals 40KN14 1955-1967
Sequoyah Hills Mound/Fischer 40KN15 Woodland, Mississippian 1914, 1953
U.T. Agriculture Farm Mound 40KN16 Woodland
Post Oak Island 40KN23 Mississippian Submerged
Copper Ridge 40KN25 Woodland 1961 Submerged
Cruikshank Bend 40KN27 1961
Peak Site 40KN28 1961
Bowling Site 40KN29 1961
Surface Collection 40KN31 Archaic, Woodland 1961
Lyons Island 40KN36 Woodland 1958, 1966, 1975
Montgomery Site 40KN39 Woodland 1961
Cherokee Farm Site 40KN45 Archaic, Woodland, Historic 1960s
Boyd Island Site 40KN47 Archaic, Woodland 1961, 1965
Webster Site 40KN49 Archaic 1961
Hansard Farm Site 40KN51 Mississippian 1973
Surface Collection 40KN54 Archaic, Woodland 1975, 1981
Surface Collection 40KN65 Woodland, Historic 1981
Surface Collection 40KN73 Archaic, Woodland 1983
Mabry House/Pace House 40KN86 1995
Tyson Park 40KN119 Historic 1984
Ramsey House 40KN120 American plantation 1995 Museum
Marble Springs 40KN125 American pioneer State historic site
Matt Russell House 40KN127 Historic 1988
Surface Collection 40KN132 Archaic, Woodland 1961
Sevierville Hill Site 40KN142 American military
Courthouse Block Site 40KN145 Historic 1996
Bull Run No. 1 Site 40KN181 Archaic, Woodland 1988
Bull Run No. 2 Site 40KN192 Archaic 1988
Bull Run No. 19 Site 40KN193 Indeterminate Prehistoric 1988
Caylor Site 40KN266 1961
William Blount Mansion American pioneer National Historic Landmark

Lake County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Foxhole Site 40LK10 Mississippian
Cremaillere Line Fortification 40LK54 American military

Lauderdale County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Fort Pillow 40LA50 American military state park

Lawrence County

Lewis County

Lincoln County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Huntland Site 40LN1 Archaic, Woodland 1966

Loudon County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Bussell Island 40LD17 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee 1970s Location of Tellico Dam
Mainland Village 40LD18 Mississippian 1980-1981
Bat Creek Site 40LD24 Mississippian 1971 Partially submerged
Jackson Bend Mound Site 40LD35 Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee, Historic 1977
Bacon Farm Site 40LD35 Archaic 1976
Iddins Site 40LD38 Archaic 1970s
Henry Site 40LD53 Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee, Historic 1981
Morganton 40LD105 American river town 1978 Submerged
Wear Bend Site 40LD107 Cherokee 1979 Submerged
Lay Site 40LD127 Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee, Historic 1977 Submerged
Tipton-Dixon House 40LD179 Woodland
Kittrell Mound 40LD183 1985
Kimberly-Clark Site 40LD208 Mississippian 1989
Loudon Fortification 40LD211-212, etc. American military

Macon County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Bugtussle 40MC1 American military 1983

Madison County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Pinson Mounds 40MD1 Woodland 1960s, 1970s, 1980s State archaeological park
Johnston Mound Complex 40MD3 Woodland
Cochran Site 40MD23 Archaic, Woodland 1970s Grouped with Pinson Mounds
Denmark Mound Group 40MD85 Mississippian

Marion County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Pittman-Alder 40MI5 Archaic, Woodland 1964 Submerged
Westmoreland-Barber 40MI11 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1964 Submerged
Bible 40MI15 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1965 Submerged
Lay 40MI20 Woodland 1965 Submerged
Nickajack Cave 40MI108 1960s Submerged

Marshall County

Maury County

McMinn County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Mouse Creek Site 40MN3 Woodland, Mississippian 1930s, 1980s

McNairy County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Big Hill Pond Fortification 40MY95 American military
Wray's Bluff Fortification 40MY111 American military

Meigs County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Hiwassee Island 40MG31 Mississippian 1930s state wildlife refuge

Monroe County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Fort Loudoun 40MR1 English colonial military 1936, 1975-1976 Original site raised with fill; fort reconstructed
Chota 40MR2 Cherokee 1939, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974 Submerged; monument in raised area
Mialoquo 40MR3 Cherokee 1977 Submerged
Tomotley 40MR5 Mississippian, Cherokee 1967, 1973, 1974, 1976 Submerged
Toqua 40MR6 Mississippian, Cherokee 1975-1978 Submerged
Citico 40MR7 Archaic, Mississippian, Cherokee 1967-1968, 1978 Submerged
Halfway Town 40MR8 Cherokee 1970s Submerged
Great Tellico/Chatuga 40MR12 Cherokee
Pate Mound 40MR16 1981
Galyon Farm 40MR19 1967
Martin Farm Site 40MR20 Mississippian 1967-1968, 1975 Submerged
Harrison Branch 40MR21 Archaic, Woodland 1971, 1975 Submerged
Icehouse Bottom 40MR23 Archaic, Woodland 1969, 1970-1971, 1975, 1977 Submerged
John Carson Site 40MR24 Historic Overhill Cherokee 1967, 1977
Bacon Bend Site 40MR25 Archaic, Woodland 1967, 1977 Submerged
Mayfield I 40MR26 1967
Mayfield II 40MR27 1967
McGhee Cabin 40MR30 1967, 1973
Starnes-Kahite 40MR32 Cherokee 1967-1968
Patrick Site 40MR40 Archaic, Woodland 1972-1973, 1975
Calloway Island 40MR41 Archaic, Woodland 1976 Submerged
Rose Island 40MR44 Archaic, Woodland 1973-1974 submerged
Patrick Quarry Site 40MR45 1979
Hodge Site 40MR46 1973
Tuskegee 40MR24, 40MR64 Cherokee 1975 Submerged
Tellico Blockhouse 40MR50 American military 1972-1974 State park
Tanasi 40MR62 Cherokee 1962 Submerged; marked by monument
Howard Site 40MR66 Archiac 1976
Peery I Site 40MR67 1976
Virginia Fort 40MR71 English colonial military 1976
Jones Ferry Site 40MR76 1976, 1979
Bell Rattle 40MR211 1981
Sloane Bridge Site 40MR226 1981

Montgomery County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Dunbar Cave 40MT43 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian State park
Riverview Mounds 40MT44 Mississippian
Fort Defiance/Fort Bruce 40MT287 American military

Moore County

Morgan County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Faust Shelter 40MO8 Woodland, Mississippian 1965
Prison Hill Site 40MO161 Woodland, Mississippian part of Brushy Mountain prison complex

Obion County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Kenton Mound Group 40OB4 Mississippian 1991
Oliver Site 40OB161 Woodland, Mississippian 1991

Overton County

Perry County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Sanford Rock 40PY1 1936

Pickett County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Huddleston-Little Cabin 40PT38 American pioneer
Smyrna Schoolhouse 40PT39 American pioneer

Polk County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Ocoee 40PK1 Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee 1930s
Hiwassee Old Town 40PK3 Woodland, Mississippian, Cherokee 1980s

Putnam County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Atkins Site 40PM85 1992
Bilbrey Site 40PM89 1992
Wiley Site 40PM90 1992

Rhea County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Upper Hampton Farm Site 40RH1 Mississippian 1914
Leuty Site 40RH6 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1940
McDonald Site 40RH7 1940
McDonald Place Mound Site 40RH11 1914, 1987-1988
Abel Farm Site 40RH12 Mississippian 1987-1988
Butler Place Mounds Site 40RH14 Mississippian 1914, 1987-1988
Biss Place Mounds Site 40RH15 Mississippian 1914, 1987-1988
Long Island Mounds Site 40RH17 1914
Hood Place Mound Site 40RH20 Mississippian 1914, 1987-1988
Ewings Place Mounds Site 40RH21 1914
Evans Place Mounds Site 40RH23 1914, 1987-1988
Huffine Ferry Mounds Site 40RH24 1914, 1987-1988
Cave Creek Mounds Site 40RH26 1914
Spence Place Mounds Site 40RH28 1914, 1987-1988
Hoyal Ferry Mounds Site 40RH29 1914, 1987-1988
Gillespie Landing Mounds Site 40RH30 Mississippian 1914, 1987-1988
Mounds near mouth of Mud Creek Site 40RH32 1914
Hiwassee Garrison Site 40RH35 American pioneer
Spivey Site 40RH39 Woodland 1940
Hampton Site 40RH41 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1914, 1940
Smith Site 40RH42 Woodland 1940
Wheelock Place Mounds Site 40RH43 1914
Kimborough Place Mounds Site 40RH45 1914
Red Cloud Ferry Mound Site 40RH46 1914
Hope Place Mounds Site 40RH47 1914
Cagle Place Mounds Site 40RH48 1914
Watts Bar Waste Site 40RH64 1979

Roane County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Bell Site 40RE1 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Historic 1935
Alford Site 40RE4 Woodland 1940
Wilson Site 40RE6 Woodland 1972
Montgomery Site 40RE8 Mississippian 1972
Dearmond Site 40RE12 Woodland 1940
Long Island Site 40RE17 Mississippian 1941
Thief's Neck Site 40RE19 Mississippian 1942
Jones Island Site 40RE28 Woodland 1982
Tarwater Site 40RE33 1941
Dave DeArmond Site 40RE53 1941
Hensley Site 40RE33 Woodland 1941, 1974
Powell Site 40RE99 Woodland 1972
Elben Cave Site 40RE118 1964
Fort Southwest Point 40RE119 American military 1970s, 1980s Museum
Davis-Noe Site 40RE137 Mississippian
Black Creek Furnace Site 40RE150 1965
Red Velvet Spider Rockshelter 40RE243 Woodland

Robertson County

Rutherford County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Sam Davis Home 40RD23 American plantation
Stones River Battlefield 40RD177 American military National battlefield

Scott County

Sequatchie County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Hudlow Site 40SQ5 1973

Sevier County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
McMahan Mound Site 40SV1 Mississippian 1984-1987
Henderson Site 40SV4 Mississippian 1969 McCroskey Island 40SV43 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian 1987, 1993, 1996
Lawson Home Site 40SV51

Shelby County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Chucalissa 40SY1 Mississippian state park
Hilderbrand House 40SY615 American plantation

Smith County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Beasley Mounds Site 40SM43 Mississippian 1895
Battery Knob Earthworks 40SM134 American military

Stewart County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Gray Farm Site 40SW1 Woodland 1939
Standing Rock Site 40SW2 Woodland, Mississippian 1939
Leatherwood Creek Site 40SW13 1990
Indian Bluff Site 40SW20 Mississippian 1939
Bellwood Furnace Site 40SW21
Stone Site 40SW23 1959
Hogan Site 40SW23 1962
Wallace Site 40SW32 1962
Buchanan Site 40SW33 1962
Rails Site 40SW33 1959
Shamble Mound Site 40SW41 Woodland, Mississippian 1959
Brake Site 40SW43 1962
Allen Site 40SW47 1959, 1962
Coleson Site 40SW52 1962
Gafford Site 40SW59 1962
Hamilton Site 40SW60 1962
Brigham's Site 40SW69 Mississippian 1962
Wells Creek Crater 40SW73 Paleo Indian 1960s Can drive through

Eastman Rockshelter Sullivan County, TN

Sullivan County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Linville Cave 40SL24 Woodland
Cain/Wolford Site 40SL31 1975 Submerged

Sumner County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Bledsoe's Station 40SU32 American pioneer 1990s Public park
Camp Trousdale Site 40SU107 American military
Castalian Springs 40SU14 Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian
Rutherford-Kizer Mound Group 40SU15 Mississippian
Wynnewood 40SU75 state historic site

Tipton County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Island 35 Mastodon 40TP84 Pleistocene Faunal 1900 Destroyed

Trousdale County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Ken Farm/Lock#6 Quarry Site 40TR90 Historic 2015

Unicoi County

Union County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
McCarty Farm Site 40UN4 1934
Hill Farm Site 40UN6 1934
Wilson Farm Site 40UN7 1934
Walters Farm Site 40UN11 1934
Stiner Farm Site 40UN18 1934
George Snoderly Homestead Site 40UN33 Historic 1934, 1983
Houck Snoderly Homestead Site 40UN36 Historic 1934, 1983
J.M. Turner Homestead Site 40UN37 Historic 1934, 1983
Esther B. Nelson Homestead Site 40UN38 Historic 1934, 1983

Van Buren County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Big Bone Cave 40VB103 Woodland, American

Warren County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Cardwell Mountain 40WR15 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian
Myers Mound 40WR5 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian

Washington County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Plum Grove Archaeological Site (Jackson Farm Site) 40WG17 Woodland, Mississippian 1976- Current Active

Wayne County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
General Surface and Shovel Test 40WY73 1991

Weakley County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Barner Site 40WK83 Woodland 1991

White County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Cherry Creek Mound 40WH65 Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian
Indian Cave 40WH43 Woodland, Mississippian
Officer Cave 40WH98 1980s

Williamson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Fewkes Group Archaeological Site 40WM1 Mississippian 1920, 1998 NRHP
Old Town Archaeological Site 40WM2 Mississippian 1920, 1998 NRHP
Anderson Site 40WM9 Archaic 1980-1981
Kellytown Site 40WM10 Mississippian
Coats-Hines Site 40WM31 Paleo-Indian 1995
Carnton Site 40WM32 American plantation National historic landmark
Harpeth Furnace Site 40WM83 American industry
Roper's Knob Fortifications Site 40WM101 American military
Triune Fortification Site 40WM106 American military
Brentwood Library Site 40WM210 Mississippian

Wilson County

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Sellars Indian Mound 40WI1 Mississippian Managed by Long Hunter State Park

Location not publicized

Site Designation Cultural affiliation(s) Year(s) excavated Status
Mud Glyph Cave Mississippian 1980s

See also

Tennessee Division of Archaeology

History of Tennessee

Resources

  • Frank H. McClung Museum
  • The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture
  • Tennessee Archaeology: A Synthesis
  • Tennessee Archaeology Network
  • Southeastern Archaeological Center Outline of Prehistory and History
  • Archaeological Investigations in the Tims Ford Reservoir, Tennessee, 1966
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