  Location within South Carolina today | |
| Location | Westminster, South Carolina, Oconee County, South Carolina,  USA |
|---|---|
| Region | Oconee County, South Carolina |
| Coordinates | 34°36′30.42″N83°10′0.34″W / 34.6084500°N 83.1667611°W /34.6084500; -83.1667611 |
| History | |
| Founded | Middle Archaic |
| Abandoned | 18th century |
| Periods | Jarett Phase (1100 to 1200) Tugalo Phase (1500 to 1600) |
| Cultures | South Appalachian Mississippian culture |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1953, 1958, 1959 |
| Archaeologists | Joseph R. Caldwell,Carl Miller,Arthur R. Kelly,Robert S. Neitzel |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | platform mound,plaza |
| Architectural details | Number of temples: 1 |
TheChauga Mound (38OC1) is anarchaeological site once located on the northern bank of theTugaloo River, about 1,200 feet (370 m) north of the mouth of theChauga River in present-dayOconee County, South Carolina. The earthenplatform mound and former village site were inundated by creation ofLake Hartwell after construction of theHartwell Dam on theSavannah River, which was completed in 1962.
While the site was found to have been occupied in theMiddle Archaic era, theplatform mound and village portion of the site were built in the twelfth century by peoples of theSouth Appalachian Mississippian culture (a regional expression of theMississippian culture). The village was abandoned for a period in prehistory, and then reoccupied in the sixteenth century.[1]
It may have been occupied by the historicCherokee in the last and fourth phase, as they were known to have a historic village named Chauga. Evidence dates their occupancy into the early eighteenth century.[2] The Cherokee had their homeland in a large area of what are now known as western Virginia, western North and South Carolina, northeastern Georgia, and eastern Tennessee.
The site consists of an earthenplatform mound and village that was developed on a natural levee about 100 feet (30 m) from the Tugaloo River, 1,200 feet (370 m) north of itsconfluence with the Chauga River.
Four distinct periods of archeological occupation have been identified. The first period occurred during theMiddle Archaic, as indicated by quartz and some scattered campsites. Phase two encompasses the first six levels of the mound and dates to theJarett Phase (1100 to 1200), a local variation of theEtowah Culture. A study of archeological evidence has shown that the site was abandoned for a period in pre-history and reoccupied in the sixteenth century.[1] The third phase encompasses the final four stages of the mound construction and dates to theTugalo Phase (1500 to 1600), a local manifestation of theLamar phase. The platform mound indicates that it was an administrative and ceremonial center forchiefdoms of these two periods.[2]
The final and fourth period of occupation of the site dates from theEstatoe Phase to the early 18th century. It is associated with the historicCherokee because of pottery deposits. They are anIroquoian-speaking people who are believed to have migrated into this area from the north around theGreat Lakes. According to Hally, the evidence is not conclusive for this site being identified as the historic Cherokee village of Chauga, as there are no contemporary maps showing that village's location.[2]
Originally standing about 12 feet (3.7 m) in height and 115 feet (35 m) across in diameter at the base, theplatform mound was constructed in 10 stages. Extensive damage has taken place from erosion and amateur digging. As a result, only the first four stages are left with distinguishable form and purpose, and the height of the mound was reduced to 8 feet (2.4 m).
Stage 1 of the mound began as a low, truncated, rectangular pyramid about 2.2 feet (0.67 m) in height, which was probably used as a dance platform or dais. The fill for this mound came from the midden area of a previousWoodland period settlement; it was followed by a thinner, semi-impermeable, blue-grey clay cap.
Stages 2–6 follow the same pattern. The clay cap had a low rim and trough around the base of the mound and in some cases extended to as much as 10 feet (3.0 m) from the base of the mound. The nature of the impervious clay and the trough to carry away rainwater helped to protect the interior fill from erosion. The fill was carried to the mound by basket loads. At Stage 2 the mound was 45 feet (14 m) across at the base and with a summit roughly 25 feet (7.6 m) square and several feet higher than Stage 1. On top of this mound a structure was added. During these stages, smooth boulders from the river were incorporated into the mound, possibly to help stabilize the shape.
Stages 7–10 did not have the clay cap feature. Mound construction appears to have occurred only on the southern and eastern sides of the mound. These stages may have been to add an apron-like extension or ramp to reach the main body of the mound.[3]
There are more than sixty burials at the Chauga village site,[4] and more than thirty burials within the mound. The mound contains artifacts ranging from stone tools,potsherds and ornaments made of shells,copper plates,[5] and rocks and minerals. Many of these items were deposited asgrave goods with the burials.[3]
Among the artifacts found at the site is a 30 millimetres (1.2 in)steatite plate with an anthropo-zoomorphichuman-headed, winged figure, of a style often associated with theSoutheastern Ceremonial Complex. This was prevalent throughout the Southeast.[6]
American archeologistJoseph R. Caldwell first excavated there in 1953. He was followed byCarl Miller in 1958. The most complete excavation took place under the leadership ofArthur R. Kelly andRobert S. Neitzel from August 1958 to January 1, 1959. Kelly and Nietzel performedsalvage archaeology on the site in conjunction with theU.S. National Park Service while working at theUniversity of Georgia.[3] They hoped to salvage as many artifacts and as much information as possible before the Hartwell Basin flooded the site after construction of theHartwell Dam on the Savannah River. The dam was completed in 1962.
| Middle Mississippian |
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| South Appalachian Mississippian |
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| Fort Walton culture | |||||||||||
| Pensacola culture | |||||||||||
| Plaquemine Mississippian | |||||||||||
| Caddoan Mississippian | |||||||||||
| Upper Mississippian cultures |
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| Culture |
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