Henry County GA
2008
Photo Review of the Site
CRG Research Team
A connection to this site was just northeast of this hill on Morris Mountain as it is known in Henry County. There was a similar stone structure found there in 1985.
This area would be destroyed by development along the top of the mountain.
There were some very old Indian artifacts found at that site back in 1985 and
they were from well before the Creek Indians. That structure was a small site
of about 10 feet by 15 feet with some smaller piles of stones in the area. The walled in section was about two feet high and 24 inches thick with no entrance area.
Hopefully this remaining site to the SW of that area on Patrick Henry Pkwy will be
save from destruction.
The Staff at the CRG
Patrick Henry Stone Structure Site
Photo Review of Area by CRG Team
Prelude to Archaeological Study
Henry Co. GA 2008
1. Foreword
2. Report on Photo's
3. Stone's seen in photo's
4. Photo's
5. Maps
6. References
Prelude to Archaeological Study
This site was previously thought to be a cemetery, but after careful analysis it is believed to be an Native American Ceremonial Site from the Middle Woodland Period. The site is of a stone walled structure which is rectangular in shape. The wall is 24 inches tall and 18-24 inches thick. Photo's taken of the site in 2007 indicate a possible close relation to other walled structures from across Central and Northwest Georgia. "A report from the University of Georgia in 2004 indicates that several Indian-made rock walls are on many hills in central and northwest Georgia as well as Tennessee. Such a wall once ringed the summit of Stone Mountain before it was destroyed to make it safe for workers who were working on the carving on the mountain. Consensus among archaeologists is that these walls date to the Middle Woodland Period. The function of these walled areas is generally thought to have been religious in nature rather than a military fortification." Fort Mountain near Chatsworth, GA is one of these structures.
The Middle Woodland Period was 1,425 to 2,390 years ago.
The property owner probably does not know that this structure even exist's since they
have recently acquired the property. The site is at the back of the property upon a large hill with the surrounding landscape lowered quite a bit. Erosion will be a factor with this site since the cut was up against the eastern wall of the structure.
This site needs to be thoroughly examined but this researcher cannot climb to the top of the hill as he is limited by health problems. The Georgia Historical Society will receive a report on this site with recommendations. Also, the property owner will be notified of the site on their land. Also, the State of Georgia will be notified of the site.
The stones have been placed very carefully to form this structure. Many of the stones
are from stream beds because of the rounding caused by running water is apparent.
Also, calcium from decomposing slugs and snails is also seen. There are also some quite large stones that would take some effort to move to this site. The stones are a mix of
field stone, granite, quartz, and metamorphic stone. Further close analysis in the field will yield more detail.
1. Early Americans, 1980.
2. New Georgia Encyclopedia: Rock Mounds and Structures.
3. UGA Report 2004.
4. Terra Serve.
5. USGS, 1981.
6. Ad Maps, 2005.
7. CRG Photo's 2007.
8. Multi Map by Microsoft.
9. Fort Mountain, Robert Ewell.
10. Henry Co. Government, Tax records.
