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Newsletter Articles by Kevin E. Smith

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter, 2018

One of the interesting notions that George E. Lankford (2012, 2014) and others have proposed is t... more One of the interesting notions that George E. Lankford (2012, 2014) and others have proposed is the transmission of a special plant with mind-altering properties from Mesoamerica to the American Southwest then to the Caddoan region, the Central Mississippi valley, and eventually to Tennessee. The movement of plants with special ritual importance arguably came not only with specialized knowledge about them, but also with ritual paraphernalia, including pottery vessels and other things (perhaps to be discussed by Lankford at our upcoming meeting).

Tennessee Anthropological Association Newsletter 21(4):1-10, 1996

An imaginative child needs only to be placed in the atmosphere of poetry. Her little mind, if kep... more An imaginative child needs only to be placed in the atmosphere of poetry. Her little mind, if kept unshackled by adult drives, by being forced to read or to memorize, will quickly accumulate, not necessarily poems themselves , but rhyme, melody, a zest for words, images, and the very soul of poetry itself (Bert Roller writing of Lib in 1928).

In an earlier article, I presented the story of the " Williamson County Giant " as I then knew it... more In an earlier article, I presented the story of the " Williamson County Giant " as I then knew it – an enormous skeleton discovered near Franklin, Tennessee that was interpreted, reconstructed, and mounted as an 18-19 foot tall member of the genus Homo and placed on display in Nashville and later New Orleans only to be revealed as a misinterpreted and mis-presented mastodon skeleton (Smith 2013). Further research has revealed some additional information pertinent to this remarkable story.

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter 40(1):2-4.

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter 40(6):4-6, Dec 2015

Examines the apparent vernacular use of a large hollow gum tree as a mineral springhouse in early... more Examines the apparent vernacular use of a large hollow gum tree as a mineral springhouse in early nineteenth century Tennessee.

Documents the visit of Fewkes to Middle Tennessee to examine local sites for potential acquisitio... more Documents the visit of Fewkes to Middle Tennessee to examine local sites for potential acquisition as federal archaeological parks.

Documentation from historic records of a "lost" Mississippian era mound center along the Cumberla... more Documentation from historic records of a "lost" Mississippian era mound center along the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee.

Documents two historic "petroglyphs" from Middle Tennessee.

Examines the discovery of the skeleton of a "giant" near Franklin, Tennessee in 1845.

Documentation of the early collection of a salt pan at Sulphur Dell in 1831 by John Varden of the... more Documentation of the early collection of a salt pan at Sulphur Dell in 1831 by John Varden of the Washington City Museum.

Presents the text of and contextual information for on an 1867 newspaper article on excavations b... more Presents the text of and contextual information for on an 1867 newspaper article on excavations by Joseph Jones in Nashville, Tennessee on Mississippian sites.

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter, Jun 2013

Examines the mystery of the "Stone Fort Ghost" -- a folktale associated with Old Stone Fort, a Mi... more Examines the mystery of the "Stone Fort Ghost" -- a folktale associated with Old Stone Fort, a Middle Woodland hilltop enclosure in Coffee County, Tennessee.

Papers by Kevin E. Smith

American Anthropologist, 2010

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter, 2018

One of the interesting notions that George E. Lankford (2012, 2014) and others have proposed is t... more One of the interesting notions that George E. Lankford (2012, 2014) and others have proposed is the transmission of a special plant with mind-altering properties from Mesoamerica to the American Southwest then to the Caddoan region, the Central Mississippi valley, and eventually to Tennessee. The movement of plants with special ritual importance arguably came not only with specialized knowledge about them, but also with ritual paraphernalia, including pottery vessels and other things (perhaps to be discussed by Lankford at our upcoming meeting).

Tennessee Anthropological Association Newsletter 21(4):1-10, 1996

An imaginative child needs only to be placed in the atmosphere of poetry. Her little mind, if kep... more An imaginative child needs only to be placed in the atmosphere of poetry. Her little mind, if kept unshackled by adult drives, by being forced to read or to memorize, will quickly accumulate, not necessarily poems themselves , but rhyme, melody, a zest for words, images, and the very soul of poetry itself (Bert Roller writing of Lib in 1928).

In an earlier article, I presented the story of the " Williamson County Giant " as I then knew it... more In an earlier article, I presented the story of the " Williamson County Giant " as I then knew it – an enormous skeleton discovered near Franklin, Tennessee that was interpreted, reconstructed, and mounted as an 18-19 foot tall member of the genus Homo and placed on display in Nashville and later New Orleans only to be revealed as a misinterpreted and mis-presented mastodon skeleton (Smith 2013). Further research has revealed some additional information pertinent to this remarkable story.

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter 40(1):2-4.

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter 40(6):4-6, Dec 2015

Examines the apparent vernacular use of a large hollow gum tree as a mineral springhouse in early... more Examines the apparent vernacular use of a large hollow gum tree as a mineral springhouse in early nineteenth century Tennessee.

Documents the visit of Fewkes to Middle Tennessee to examine local sites for potential acquisitio... more Documents the visit of Fewkes to Middle Tennessee to examine local sites for potential acquisition as federal archaeological parks.

Documentation from historic records of a "lost" Mississippian era mound center along the Cumberla... more Documentation from historic records of a "lost" Mississippian era mound center along the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee.

Documents two historic "petroglyphs" from Middle Tennessee.

Examines the discovery of the skeleton of a "giant" near Franklin, Tennessee in 1845.

Documentation of the early collection of a salt pan at Sulphur Dell in 1831 by John Varden of the... more Documentation of the early collection of a salt pan at Sulphur Dell in 1831 by John Varden of the Washington City Museum.

Presents the text of and contextual information for on an 1867 newspaper article on excavations b... more Presents the text of and contextual information for on an 1867 newspaper article on excavations by Joseph Jones in Nashville, Tennessee on Mississippian sites.

Middle Cumberland Archaeological Society Newsletter, Jun 2013

Examines the mystery of the "Stone Fort Ghost" -- a folktale associated with Old Stone Fort, a Mi... more Examines the mystery of the "Stone Fort Ghost" -- a folktale associated with Old Stone Fort, a Middle Woodland hilltop enclosure in Coffee County, Tennessee.

American Anthropologist, 2010

Southeastern Archaeology, 2014

Tennessee Conservationist, 2018

This work presents an overview of the life and archaeological career of John Bertram Broster. Few... more This work presents an overview of the life and archaeological career of John Bertram Broster. Few people have equaled John's diverse experiences in archaeology, from his initial exploits on Mississippian sites in the Nashville area, through his graduate and early professional work in New Mexico (with side stints in Mexico, Europe, and Colorado), and concluding with his long and distinguished service with the Tennessee Division of Archaeology. John's legacy to Tennessee archaeology, aside from side-splitting tales, includes his seminal research on the Paleoindian record through explorations at such sites as Carson-Conn-Short (40BN190), Coats-Hines (40WM31), and Johnson (40DV400).

This article presents basic information on 779 radio-carbon dates for archaeological sites in Ten... more This article presents basic information on 779 radio-carbon dates for archaeological sites in Tennessee. These dates represent the majority reported for Ten-nessee through 1998 along with published dates through 2002. The data is presented in two formats: (a) by county and site number; and (b) in ascending age of radiocarbon age before present. Editor's Note: In order to minimize the length of the presented tables, citations to sources for this article are numbered sequentially. Numbers in parentheses in the text refer to the reference number. Where following by a colon and a second number, the second number refers to the page num-ber(s).

Tennessee Conservationist, Mar 2015

Tennessee Archaeology 1(1), 2004

This report presents information on the limited sample of interior incised ceramic sherds from th... more This report presents information on the limited sample of interior incised ceramic sherds from the Nashville Basin of Tennessee. These specimens favorably compare to the type O'Byam Incised variety Stewart. Comparative information on the distribution of interior incised vessels supports the assertion that O'Byam Incised was not manufactured or used by local residents, but rather brought to the Nashville Basin from the lower Cumberland or Ohio River valleys.

Tennessee Anthropologist 18(2):94-116., 1993

limited salvage excavations at a small stone box cemetery and associated habitation area were con... more limited salvage excavations at a small stone box cemetery and associated habitation area were conducted by a private archaeological consulting finn and the Tennessee Division of Archaeology. Under contract with a development finn, DuVall & Associates Inc. archaeologically removed human burials (pursuant to Tennessee Codes Annotated[46-4-101-104 et seq.}). During the course ofstripping overburden to locate burials, the remains ofa burned MissisSippian structure were exposed. Subsequently, Parris Stripling ofthe Tennessee Division ofArchaeology was able. to panially investigate the structure prior to its destruction. The results ofthese limited investigations are presented, with analysis and interpretations of the placement of hamle.ts and small villages within the local settlement hierarchy.

Tennessee Anthropologist 19(2): 91-113., 1994

Tennessee Anthropologist 18(1):28-44, 1993

Tennessee Division ofArchaeology personnel have salvaged archaeological data from a privately-own... more Tennessee Division ofArchaeology personnel have salvaged archaeological data from a privately-owned Mississippian mound-village complex 011 the Harpeth River on twO occasions over the past decade. The resulls of these limited salvage projects, along with a review of antiquarian observations ofthe site are presemed and imerpreted below. PrilTlilry occupation of the site area is interpreted as occurring during the 1hruston Phase (ca. A.D. 1250-1450), based on diagnostic ani/acts and a single radiocarbon date.

Tennessee Conservationist LXXX(2), March April 2014, 2014

Tennessee Archaeology, Nov 2013

To be published in New Deal Archaeology in the Tennessee Valley: 1933-1942, edited by David H. Dye. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa., 2013

From July 1936 to January 1937, archaeologists from the University of Tennessee directed excavati... more From July 1936 to January 1937, archaeologists from the University of Tennessee directed excavations at the Pack site (40CH1) under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration. Limited excavations were conducted during this time at the Mound Bottom site (40CH8). Charles Nash returned to Mound Bottom in February 1940 for additional investigations. This presentation summarizes current research on the curated Mound Bottom and Pack site records and collections.

Tennessee Archaeology 3(1):3-24, 2008

Salvage excavations at the Spencer site in Nashville recorded evidence of an early (and possibly ... more Salvage excavations at the Spencer site in Nashville recorded evidence of an early (and possibly emergent) Mississippian period occupation. Radiocarbon assays from selected structures and features date the primary site occupation between A.D. 900 to 1150. The shell-tempered wares from Spencer favorably compare with ceramic assemblages from other early Mississippian sites in the Middle Cumberland River valley. A small percentage of chert and limestonetempered ceramics, along with a feature date of cal A.D. 403-567 (one-sigma), denote the presence of a Middle Woodland component.

Tennessee Historical Quarterly LXIX(4):320-329, 2010

Tennessee Archaeology 6(1-2):105-138, 2012

Identification and recording of information from the Sandbar Village site (40DV36) was initiated ... more Identification and recording of information from the Sandbar Village site (40DV36) was initiated between 1967 and 1974 by avocational archaeologist John T. Dowd. Dowd conducted surface collections during that period as well as limited test excavations in 1969. Additional test excavations were completed at the site in 1989 by Tennessee Division of Archaeology staff, and in 1990 by Vanderbilt University Archaeological Field School students. Here, we summarize the results of all documented artifacts, structures, and features from the site, along with a series of radiocarbon dates. Although Sandbar Village was previously interpreted as a Mississippian hamlet, we suggest that the apparent contradictions created by the presence of several artifacts usually associated with larger Mississippian communities can be resolved by understanding the site as a remnant of a more substantial settlement. Alternatively, we propose the (then) contemporary Cumberland River channel was located to the south of 40DV36, and that Sandbar Village represents a peripheral section of a large town (and possible mound center) that includes what is currently known as the Widemeier site (40DV9) located directly across the river.

Tennessee Archaeology 6(1-2):149-163, 2012

Although the Beasley Mounds site (40SM43) has been known since the early nineteenth century, only... more Although the Beasley Mounds site (40SM43) has been known since the early nineteenth century, only brief antiquarian notes and limited collections have been available to evaluate its relationship to the Middle Cumberland culture sites of the Central Basin. As part of the on-going efforts of the Middle Cumberland Mississippian Survey to refine the boundaries and chronology of the region, we directed a small-scale mapping and excavation project at Beasley Mounds in early 2008. Resulting ceramic samples suggest that the site residents were more closely affiliated culturally to those of the upper Cumberland and East Tennessee than to their nearer neighbors to the west. A single radiocarbon date from platform mound construction at the site suggests that it served as a socio-political center contemporaneous with those at the nearby Castalian Springs and Sellars sites to the west and south -- but was occupied by people whose material culture was (ethnically?) distinct from those to the west and south and more closely related to those from the east and north.

This revised edition of the Rutherford-Kizer site report presents the results of salvage excavati... more This revised edition of the Rutherford-Kizer site report presents the results of salvage excavations at a late prehistoric mound and village site in Sumner County, Tennessee.

A series of rare shell and copper earrings shaped like human heads with long noses traditionally ... more A series of rare shell and copper earrings shaped like human heads with long noses traditionally referred to as "Long-Nosed God Masks" have featured prominently in discussions of influences radiating from the Cahokian polity across a significant portion of the Southeastern United States. Archival research indicates that the widely published provenance for one of these objects should be corrected from near Rogana, Tennessee, to near Rowena, Kentucky.

Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology 19(2):198-222, 1994

Salvage excavations at the Brandywine Pointe site (40DV247) focused on investigations of an isola... more Salvage excavations at the Brandywine Pointe site (40DV247) focused on investigations of an isolated Mississippian period structure and associated features. Excavations yielded substantial samples of lithic, ceramic, radiocarbon, faunal, and botanical specimens relating to occupation of the structure. Site 40DV247 is presented and interpreted as a classic example of a Dowd phase (A.D. 1050 to A.D. 1250) farmstead from the Cumberland River drainage.

Tennessee Archaeology 3(1), 2008

Salvage excavations at the Spencer site in Nashville recorded evidence of an early (and possibly ... more Salvage excavations at the Spencer site in Nashville recorded evidence of an early (and possibly emergent) Mississippian period occupation. Radiocarbon assays from selected structures and features date the primary site occupation between A.D. 900 to 1150. The shell-tempered wares from Spencer favorably compare with ceramic assemblages from other early Mississippian sites in the Middle Cumberland River valley. A small percentage of chert and limestone tempered ceramics, along with a feature date of cal A.D. 403-567 (one-sigma), denote the presence of a Middle Woodland component.

Tennessee Archaeology 6(1&2), 2012

Identification and recording of information from the Sandbar Village site (40DV36) was initiated ... more Identification and recording of information from the Sandbar Village site (40DV36) was initiated between 1967 and 1974 by avocational archaeologist John T. Dowd. Dowd conducted surface collections during that period as well as limited test excavations in 1969. Additional test excavations were completed at the site in 1989 by Tennessee Division of Archaeology staff, and in 1990 by Vanderbilt University Archaeological Field School students. Here, we summarize the results of all documented artifacts, structures, and features from the site, along with a series of radiocarbon dates. Although Sandbar Village was previously interpreted as a Mississippian hamlet, we suggest that the apparent contradictions created by the presence of several artifacts usually associated with larger Mississippian communities can be resolved by understanding the site as a remnant of a more substantial settlement. Alternatively, we propose the (then) contemporary Cumberland River channel was located to the south of 40DV36, and that Sandbar Village represents a peripheral section of a large town (and possible mound center) that includes what is currently known as the Widemeier site (40DV9) located directly across the river.

Tennessee Historical Quarterly 69(4):320-329, 2010

Southeastern Archaeology, 2006

Archaeological research on Mississippian culture in Tennessee’s Middle Cumberland region during r... more Archaeological research on Mississippian culture in Tennessee’s Middle Cumberland region during recent years has provided a revised chronological sequence as well as new information about settlement shifts. Excavations at one fortified Mississippian town, Gordontown, and a reanalysis of past site investigations from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries indicate the site area included one platform mound, a substantial burial mound, and a sizable habitation zone enclosed by a palisade with bastions. Radiocarbon assays and ceramics conclusively date this site occupation to the Thruston regional period (A.D. 1250–1450). Mortuary and other analysis results reveal a dynamic, yet somewhat stressed, native population within the Middle Cumberland River Valley.

New Deal Archaeology in Tennessee, 1933-1942, edited by David H. Dye (in press), 2015

Smith, Kevin E. (Middle Tennessee State University), Michael C. Moore (Tennessee Division of Arch... more Smith, Kevin E. (Middle Tennessee State University), Michael C. Moore (Tennessee Division of Archaeology), and Stephen T. Rogers (Tennessee Historical Commission). 2010. NEW INSIGHTS FROM OLD RECORDS OF THE NOEL CEMETERY (40DV3), DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE: THRUSTON'S “ANCIENT METROPOLIS OF THE STONE GRAVE RACE.” For over a century, Gates P. Thruston's well-illustrated Antiquities of Tennessee (1890, 1897) has provided a key resource about Mississippian artifacts from Middle Tennessee. Most of Thruston's collection came from an estimated 3,000 stone box graves on the Noel Farm. Our recent re-discovery of an unpublished 1878 map, fieldnotes, and collections generated by Peabody Museum expeditions a decade before Thruston provides new insights. In this paper, we combine information from nineteenth century excavations, newspaper articles, Oscar Noel’s personal collection, and limited excavations by the Tennessee Division of Archaeology in 1973 to generate some new hypotheses about this enigmatic “ancient metropolis.”

This presentation offers some preliminary results from our on-going study of worked crystal artif... more This presentation offers some preliminary results from our on-going study of worked crystal artifacts from the Middle Cumberland region. Four specimens are known to date, with most recovered from burial contexts on Mississippian period sites across the study area. The modest sample consists of two earplugs, one effigy pendant, and one bead manufactured from calcite and fluorite crystals. Several other specimens reported from sites adjacent to the western boundary of the Middle Cumberland region are also discussed.

New Deal Archaeology in Tennessee, 2016

From July 1936 to January 1937, archaeologists from the University of Tennessee directed excavati... more From July 1936 to January 1937, archaeologists from the University of Tennessee directed excavations at the Pack site (40CH1) under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration. Limited excavations were conducted during this time at the Mound Bottom site (40CH8). Charles Nash returned to Mound Bottom in February 1940 for additional investigations. This presentation summarized current research on the curated Mound Bottom and Pack site records and collections.