A landscape analysis and cultural resource inventory of Troublesome Creek Ironworks: a geographical and archaeological approach
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Harriet Lauren Phillips (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Roy Stine
Abstract: This thesis created a working cultural resource inventory and landscape analysis of Troublesome Creek Ironworks (TCI). TCI is located in Rockingham County and is owned by the Rockingham County Historical Society. The property is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Three archaeological sites at TCI were examined for this research: a 19th century farmhouse site, a 19th century cabin site, and the possible location of Revolutionary War entrenchments. Little is known regarding the histories of these sites and data obtained through archaeological survey investigations at TCI during 2005 and 2010 provided the basis for a geographical and archaeological assessment of these sites across this landscape.
Spatial analysis of archaeological material recovered from these sites provided insight into cultural patterns across the landscape. Dates for all three sites were derived from ceramic, flat window glass, and nail artifact analysis. Artifact patterns and dates were compared to the written site histories, where available, to improve overall site interpretation.
Analysis of data obtained from investigations of the farmhouse site correlated to many historical events at TCI and also revealed possible evidence of an earlier house location at TCI. Examination of the cabin site established relative dates for the structure, confirming an oral history of the site. The entrenchment site survey did not produce evidence to support its association with events surrounding the Revolutionary war; however, this is most likely due to looting that has occurred at the site over the past several decades. Data obtained through these survey investigations at TCI were compared to similar sites in the North Carolina Piedmont to examine patterns between sites sharing similar temporal and functional contexts. Many similarities in artifact assemblages were found for these sites in the Piedmont.
Due to the size of the property and the numerous cultural resources, more extensive investigations are needed to begin tying all the sites and written histories together at TCI. Extensions to the existing survey grids as well as several test excavations across the sites at TCI will generate a more comprehensive analysis of the cultural resources across the landscape. While more research is needed to fully understand TCI's history, this research improved the site interpretation throughout the property.
A landscape analysis and cultural resource inventory of Troublesome Creek Ironworks: a geographical and archaeological approach
PDF (Portable Document Format)
4891 KB
Created on 5/1/2011
Views: 4668
Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2011
- Keywords
- 19th century, Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Farmstead, GIS, Historical Archaeology, Spatial Analysis
- Subjects
- Rockingham County (N.C.) $x History $y Revolution, 1775-1783
- Rockingham County (N.C.) $x Antiquities
- Archaeology $z North Carolina $z Rockingham County