Artifact Report, 1GR2 Craigs Landing Site N.D.

In May 1976, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, contracted with the University of Alabama Office of Archaeological Research to conduct extensive archaeological investigations within the Gainesville Lake (present day Gainesville Reservoir) area of West- Central Alabama. The lake area is a “run of the river” reservoir that is part of the Tennessee- Tombigbee Waterway project located in Sumter, Greene, and Pickens Counties. The Craigs Landing Site (1GR2) is located on the east bank of the Tombigbee River, immediately south of the confluence of Wilkes Creek and the Tombigbee River. The site was first recorded by the University of Alabama Museum of Natural History in 1970 (University of Alabama Museum of Natural History 1970). Nielsen and Jenkins (1973) and Jenkins (1975) recorded subsequent investigations conducted as part of the overall archaeological salvage program in the Gainesville Lake area. Using data collected during these exploratory excavations, it was determined that the site contained deep cultural deposits indicating human occupation spanning nearly 10,000 years (Nielson and Jenkins 1981). Field investigations during the 1976 field season began in mid-July and continued until September 21st of that year. Six 10’ x 10’ test units were opened to supplement the midden tests from the prior excavations (Nielson and Jenkins 1981). Due to the short timeframe available for further testing, units were strategically placed in parts of the site that would yield stratigraphic data, produce ample information on the deep Archaic components, and maximize the amount of specimens from the Woodland, Gulf Formational, and Mississippian components. During the field season, crews encountered 24 burials (Nielson and Jenkins 1981).

The artifact database can be found in tDAR at (https://core.tdar.org/dataset/426943/artifact-database-1gr2-craigs-landing-site-nd)