Round Spring Archeology, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Southeast Missouri

Archeological investigations at Round Spring have produced evidence for human occupation beginning with the Dalton culture. Intermittent prehistoric use of the area surrounding Round Spring continued until about A.D. 1300 when the area was abandoned. EuroAmerican occupation at the site began in the early nineteenth century. Evidence for a farmstead/ cabin and a mill are presented. Systematic testing in 1981 included excavation of nine test pits and about 50 shovel tests. A substantial quantity of prehistoric and historic artifacts were collected from undisturbed contexts. Previous research conducted by the University of Missouri provides evidence of a Mississippian cemetery adjacent to the spring. The archeological resources at Round Spring have the potential to contribute data to research problems relating to the Late Archaic, Woodland, Emergent Mississippian, Mississippian, and nineteenth century EuroAmerican occupation of the Upper Current River valley.